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Bosch, Kenmore Join The Amazon Alexa Bandwagon

BSH’s Bosch brand will soon begin integrating select major appliances with Amazon’s voice-operated Alexa AI platform.

The interoperability began with Bosch’s built-in coffee machine and will extend to its other smart appliances — including a dishwasher, laundry pair, wall oven and refrigerator — that employ the open Home Connect platform.

In addition, Bosch smart dishwasher owners can now have their detergent tabs delivered automatically when supplies run low, thanks to a recent integration with Amazon’s Dash replenishment program.

Meanwhile, Sears is helping its customers beat the heat this summer with a new line of Kenmore smart room air conditioners that also engage with Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant.

Employing Afero’s secure IoT platform, the Wi-Fi-ready models can be controlled remotely using the Kenmore mobile app, or via voice command on any Echo device. The series ranges from 8,000 Btu to 25,000 Btu with corresponding retails of $270 to $520.

Related:Amazon Extends Its Smart-Appliance Reach

And speaking of ACs, homeless families in Rochester, N.Y., will get additional relief this season, thanks to a donation from Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. The manufacturer has partnered with its local distributor, Johnstone Supply, to provide Friedrich Chill room air units for 11 homes owned and managed by Tempro, a Rochester-based nonprofit organization that builds housing for indigent families.

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