Amazon is preparing to release as many as eight new Alexa-powered devices, according to a report from CNBC on Monday.
The devices include home appliances such as a microwave and subwoofer, which signal Amazon’s continued interest in smart home technology. The new devices would join Amazon’s existing Alexa products — Echo, Echo Show, Echo Spot, etc. — and put Amazon in direct competition with others such as Sonos or GE, which sell their own Alexa-enabled products.
Amazon is investing heavily in its voice platform as it battles Microsoft, Apple, Google and other tech giants developing voice tech. Alexa now works on 20,000 devices, up from 4,000 in January.
We contacted Amazon about the CNBC report, and a company spokesperson said “we don’t comment on rumors or speculation.”
It has been nearly a year since Amazon unveiled a major refresh of its Echo lineup, which included the introduction of the Echo Spot alarm-clock style device and the next-generation Echo tower.
