LG has an Alexa-powered fridge, move over Family Hub

Using an Amazon Echo device in the house, Ford owners will be able to do things like remotely lock or start their vehicles. The only hitch? The data connection requires hardware that is not fitted to today’s Sync 3 systems, meaning it will be limited to Fords from the 2018 model year forward.

“It’s a customer acquisition tool, but really it’s a customer retention tool and a chance for people to more easily remove the friction, purchase more from Amazon.com”, he said. Ford said that beginning next month, some owners of its vehicles will be able to use Alexa voice commands to access certain auto functions and even check the range of their auto.

Lenovo will be the next major tech company to dive into the smart home market with its own AI-powered speaker, called the Smart Assistant.

The collaboration uses Ford’s Applink, which lets you connect to your favorite apps in the vehicle, and a special version of the Alexa digital assistant developed by Amazon. However, it seems that the market is set to become slightly more crowded as Lenovo, the largest PC maker in the world, has chose to build their own speaker while still using Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant. It can be used to launch Fire TV apps, search for content, play music, and even control smart home devices.

Samsung has also been integrating voice controls into its smart TV technology. According to Variety, the sets will be available in sizes ranging from 43 to 65 inches and will go on sale later in 2017.

Input switching and channel tuning: Amazon Fire TV Edition detects devices connected to the TV and helps customers switch between inputs using the remote or their voice.

The Lenovo Smart Assistant was one of two smart home appliances that the company revealed this week.

You can buy just about anything using Amazon’s Alexa, including apparently four pounds of cookies and a doll house without having to ask your parents first.