As we're currently seeing with AI, when a new technology becomes buzzy, companies will do almost anything to cram that tech into their products. Trends fade, however, and corporate priorities shift--resulting in bricked gadgets and buyer's remorse. That's what's happening to some who bought Oral-B toothbrushes with Amazon Alexa built in. Oral-B released the Guide for 230 in August 2020 but bricked the ability to set up or reconfigure Alexa on the product this February. As of this writing, the Guide is still available through a third-party Amazon seller.

ICON.AI, the smart beauty device maker behind the world's 1st All-in-one Multi-Function Smart Makeup Mirror Device, named as CES 2020 Innovation Awards Honoree for Venus, Smart Makeup Mirror with Alexa Built-in. This press release features multimedia. ICON.AI, the smart beauty device maker behind the world's 1st All-in-one Multi-Function Smart Makeup Mirror Device, named as CES 2020 Innovation Awards Honoree for Venus, Smart Makeup Mirror with Alexa Built-in. ICON.AI reveals the Mirror at the 2020 CES .Venus is an all-in-one, multi-function smart makeup mirror featuring 7″ touchscreen LCD, Alexa built-in (smart display speaker), skin diagnostic/AR makeup function, table mood lamp, LED ring lights for makeup, in addition to the best user experience and user-centered design. Venus is a brand-new innovative beauty device which integrates artificial intelligence with various features/technology for beauty & cosmetic industry and customers.

Alexa is handy for helping with a lot of activities, and soon the virtual assistant will help you control keyboard settings with your voice. Roland's latest keyboard, a new version of its GO:PIANO, features Alexa built-in and the company says this feature offers hands-free control while you're playing. Basically, you won't have to take your hands off the keys to tweak the sound or access specific settings -- thanks to the combination of the GO:PIANO and a new Roland Alexa Skill. The company says the goal to enable voice control for musicians at any level. In addition the hands-free feature, the Alexa Skill will also provide access to libraries of play along tunes and enable sharing f recorded audio clips with friends and family.

HP may have been the first to offer an all-in-one with Alexa built-in, but Acer is determined to do the same for the laptop realm. It just revealed that several of its laptops are the first to ship with Amazon's voice assistant already installed. The Spin 3 and Spin 5 should be available at stores right now, while the Nitro 5 Spin convertible will pack Alexa when it arrives in June. Aspire, Switch and Swift PCs (including Aspire desktops) will offer Alexa with shipments over the "next few weeks." If you already have a compatible model, don't worry -- your system isn't suddenly obsolete.

If you treat your all-in-one PC as the central hub of your home, shouldn't it double as a voice control hub, too? Talk to your desktop and you can play music or check the weather, complete with Alexa's signature blue light to confirm that it's listening to your commands. The system is full of extra touches beyond the AI helper. Most of them are carryovers from the outgoing generation, such as quad Bang & Olufsen speakers and a built-in wireless charging pad for your phone. However, it might be more at home with your decor -- it now has a wood grain finish that could match your furniture.