The conceit is a simple one: If you already rely on a suite of Alexa-powered smart home devices and you're excited by the prospect of rounding out the armada with an Alexa-integrated TV, the Omni is aimed squarely at you. Several of its most enticing features have yet to roll out, but it's easy to envision them working seamlessly within an established network of Alexa doorbells, cameras, and speakers. But traditionally, a suite of smart functions is only one of the prerequisites for a satisfactory TV experience--in many cases, smart features are almost an afterthought when considering a TV's value, and buyers interested in the Fire TV Omni will have to make do with the Omni's limitations in other areas. For example, due to its middling hardware, it's not a good pick for showcasing HDR, nor is it a good fit for gamers. The Amazon Fire TV Omni feels like a proof of concept for better-performing Amazon TVs sometime in the not-so-distant future. If you're an Alexa power user, the proof of concept is good enough to warrant a look.

In the same way a smart video doorbell keeps a watchful eye over your home, a smart pool water monitor can help keep tabs on the quality of your precious pool water. It may seem like a trivial gadget to add to your home, but if you've spent any time schlepping water from your pool to the pool store every week, you know how time-consuming it can be. And, during a pandemic-riddled summer when social distancing is still in effect, taking matters into your own hands may just be the way to go. I've tried all sorts of smart gadgets before but nothing like the pHin smart pool water monitor. The pHin smart pool water monitor comes neatly packaged and includes everything you need, including a bridge, to set it up.

Amazon's first attempt at a set of true wireless earbuds gets a lot right, with Bose active noise reduction technology and hands-free Alexa. At £119.99, the Echo Buds undercut rivals, some of which cost more than twice as much. Their design is generic: large, kidney-shaped with a glossy touch panel on the outside and a standard silicone eartip on the inside. The eartip supports the earbud with the majority of the rest of the body sitting outside the ear. But the earbuds are large and heavy at 7.6g each, meaning they sit proud of your ear.

Vector, Anki's tiny Wall-E look-alike, is getting Alexa integration by way of a software update rolling out on December 17th. Company chief Boris Sofman first announced Anki's efforts to add Alexa support to the cute assistant robot's repertoire back in October, since it was apparently one of the most requested features on the product's Kickstarter campaign. Now, the robotics and AI startup has released a video teaser showing how the integration would work. Instead, Alexa takes over the robot when you talk to it -- just say "Alexa" and then follow that up with a command. If you want the voice assistant to adjust the temperature or to switch off the lights, for instance, just talk to it via Vector.

There are plenty of toy robots out on the market, but few are as endearing as the upcoming Anki Vector. Its big bright eyes are most reminiscent of the Pixar character Wall-E. But as cute as its Wall-E-like personality is, it doesn't mean much if the robot isn't smart. That's where Alexa comes in. In a blog post by CEO and co-founder Boris Sofman, he notes one of the top requests on the Vector Kickstarter was to integrate Alexa.

Connected home monitoring company TruSense has just released a new smart personal emergency response pendent (PERS) that, when combined with TruSense home, integrates its sensors with Amazon Echo and Alexa. The company's latest technology also uses GPS to notify caregivers when the pendent isn't being worn. "Anyone who has ordered a PERS wearable device for their loved ones knows the biggest issue is getting them to wear it," Rob Deubell, senior vice president for TruSense, said in a statement. "Seniors are often at risk with single-solution products, as they have a false sense of security when they forget to charge or wear their pendants. The TruSense GPS Smart Pendant works in concert with TruSense Home, and can detect and alert caregivers, as well as the senior, via automated phone call or text messages in the event they leave home without their pendant. Through integration with leading consumer products, including the Amazon Echo, family members now have a new way of being supportive anytime simply by asking Alexa where their loved one is and how they are doing. TruSense delivers multiple layers of protection, providing a 24-7 safety net, and therefore additional peace of mind for families."

A host of top computer manufacturers are adding Amazon Alexa capabilities to their core models. HP, ASUS, and Acer all made announcements at CES 2018 that they'd be adding Alexa to select desktops and laptops. While these firms are the first to make formal announcements, the trend of manufacturers adding Alexa to their machine is likely to continue, as noted by Larry Dignan on our sister site ZDNet. Alexa making its way onto machines made by these brands could win it some favor among professionals, and the integration of Alexa for Business could help further its business appeal by helping with meetings, calendar management, and more. HP is bringing Alexa to the desktop with its Pavilion Wave 600-a010t PC, the firm announced in a Monday press release.

One of the oldest names in kitchen and bath fixtures is getting serious about the smart home. Kohler announced Friday that it will show seven new smart home products at CES 2018, including mirrors, faucets, toilets, and bath products in its Kohler Konnect line. The idea with Kohler Konnect is to automate and control all manner of common tasks such as filling or draining a bath or adjusting a mirror's lighting. Devices in the product family can recognize voice commands as well as gestures, and can be integrated with three of the major digital assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri via Apple HomeKit. Kohler mentioned only one specific Alexa integration in its announcement.

You can already unlock Schlage's Sense smart deadbolt with your voice through Siri, but you now have another choice if you're not a fan of Apple devices. The smart lock is now compatible with Amazon Alexa, so you can lock/unlock it or check out its status by barking out voice commands through an Echo speaker or any of the e-retail giant's Alexa-enabled devices. If you want to play with the integration a bit more, you can fire up the Alexa app and create "routines" for your smart devices triggered by key words. For instance, you can create a sequence that automatically locks your front door and switches off the lights when you say "good night." Schlage has another smart lock with Alexa integration through either Wink or Samsung SmartThings, but Sense could be the better choice if you don't have plans of automating all the appliances in your home.

The California-based robot vacuum manufacturer has announced that Google Home support is coming to its Connected series vacuums. With the Botvac Connected already having Alexa integration, it was only a matter of time. If you are looking into getting a robot vacuum cleaner, you probably know the name. A California-based company that specializes in automated vacuums, Neato's Botvac series is arguably iRobot Roomba's biggest rival. I have the Botvac Connected for my apartment, and I personally thinks it's the best robot cleaner your money can buy right now.