Amazon connects digital assistant Alexa to microwave, clock and car

Amazon Basics' $59.99 microwave connects to Echo speakers to bring in Alexa personal assistant (Photo: Jefferson Graham) That's a key takeaway from Alexa-driven products Amazon launched on Thursday, from an anticipated AmazonBasics Microwave to a small cassette-sized gadget, Echo Auto, that will let Alexa hang out with you in the car. Amazon's designs on smart home domination and beyond is nothing new, and is no different from Apple, Google, or Samsung. Each company wants to lure you into its own ecosystem--and keep you there. Jeff Bezos' crew appears to have momentum on its side. Amazon now claims more than 20,000 Alexa-compatible devices from more than 3,500 brands, up from some 4,000 devices and 1,200 brands in January. The company's latest product avalanche comes with refreshes to the Echo family of smart speakers, such as the $34 Echo Input.