Gadget makers offer voice control via Amazon Alexa

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Amazon has no official presence at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas, but its Alexa voice control software appears to be everywhere.

Whirlpool is adding Alexa voice control to its suite of smart home appliances, including stoves and refrigerators. With this capability, someone can tell the oven to preheat to 400 degrees by speaking a command to an Alexa-enabled device, such as Amazon’s Echo speaker.

Jason Mathew, senior director of global connection strategy at Whirlpool, says voice is “the most natural way to interact with a product.”

Other Alexa-enabled gadgets: Sensory and OnVocal are launching Alexa-enabled headphones. Simplehuman announces the voice-activated trash can. GE Lighting introduces a table lamp with Alexa software.

Amazon has an advantage in the market for now because its software has been available longer, but Google and Apple’s systems are catching up. Mathew says: “Amazon is the most mature solution, but we expect to offer other options in the future.”