First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound review: Alexa in a smoke detector? It's an inspired, if expensive, idea

The concept might sound strange at first, but trust me, it's a great idea well executed in the First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound. Think about it: You have a smoke detector in every room, and each one contains a loudspeaker, optimally mounted on the ceiling or high up on the wall. Add a mic, a Wi-Fi connection, and a digital assistant, and instead of behaving like a lifeless barnacle unless smoke or carbon monoxide is present in the room, that device can play music and games, retrieve news and information, control your smart home, and do all the other great things an Alexa-powered smart speaker can do. As an Alexa device, the Onelink Safe & Sound works well. Its speaker is loud and clear, and its microphone is sensitive and accurate.