Alexa can now listen for alarms – or, perhaps, a cheating spouse?

Alexa's got a new gig: home safety. Amazon today introduces Alexa Guard, a free feature that uses the microphones of the Amazon Echo speakers to listen for the sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or breaking glass. Should the personal assistant hear any of those, it will send text alerts to your phone. Amazon says it's introducing the feature to "help you keep your home safe." Amazon says that security devices, such as the Ring video doorbell, which Amazon owns, or ADT Pulse, which it doesn't, can work with Guard in that Alexa will send the alerts to the security provider. Additionally, Alexa can be programmed to have smart, connected lights turn on and off remotely when you're out "to make it look like you're home while you're away," says Amazon.