TCL’s kitchen-ready tablet adds Amazon Alexa integration

By Harrison Kaminsky November 5, 2016

tcl xess tablet integrates amazon alexa — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Television and consumer electronics manufacturer TCL recognizes the rise of personal voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, so the company has integrated the service into a tablet designed specifically for the kitchen.

TCL’s Xess tablet is a massive 17.3-inch “smart home hub,” and aside from the new Alexa integration, it offers built-in dual 3-watt JBL speakers and a remote camera. Available for $500 on Amazon Prime, the tablet also has a Full HD display.

You can place the IP camera around your house and monitor different rooms or your baby using the tablet display. But aside from its size and the built-in extras, the pre-loaded Kitchen Stories software might be one of its best features, offering kitchen-dwellers a set of recipes that are accessible through voice commands. The tablet has an AMD Octa-Core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage, with a slot for MicroSD expansion.

In addition to Kitchen Stories, the tablet comes pre-loaded with content from Nickelodeon for families, including shows and apps. You’ll also get a kickstand and stylus to pair with a built-in carrying handle to either travel with it or move it around the house. There are also two USB 2.0 ports for device expansion.

Using an interface built on top of Android 5.1, the Xess “has a custom launcher designed to make use of its expansive display” with all of Google’s services layered underneath, according to The Verge.

The added Alexa integration brings the ability to complete quick tasks, play music, get weather forecasts, sports scores, and control devices and equipment around your house.

“With the built-in Amazon Alex Voice Service, you can easily get a rundown on the latest news and sports scores, as well as control lights, switches, thermostats, and more on thousands of compatible devices,” the product page on Amazon reads.

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Harrison Kaminsky

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Harrison’s obsession in the tech space originated in his father’s electronics store in Denville, New Jersey, where he…

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