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If you’ve been looking for the perfect home assistant, something that reads the news, plays music, and even turns your lights off at the end of a hard day, then look no further than the Amazon Echo. With seven microphones that can pick up your voice from across the room and omnidirectional speakers that fill a space with immersive sound, this sleek system is worth it for the listening experience alone. Even better, it’s paired with cloud-based technology—referred to as Alexa—that will relay the weather, traffic, and even your favorite sports scores whenever you ask, from anywhere in the room. It’s also compatible with a variety of other smart-home devices, making this command center a must-have for any streamlined home. Available on Amazon; $180. Photo: amazon.com
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