For example, you can buy a single Philips Hue bulb and set it up with some of the latest Echo devices, without needing a Hue Hub. Some Echo devices take this a step further offering Zigbee support, which will allow you to directly connect and setup smart home devices without needing a separate app or hub for that device. In this sense, Alexa is a great smart home controller - and once linked to Alexa, can be accessed through anything that supports Alexa voice commands. You can connect Alexa to your Philips Hue or other lightbulbs, like Ikea, to turn them on or off with voice, or link to your heating controls so you can check and change the temperature in your house. You can view your Ring Video Doorbell on your Echo Show, for example, as you can with Arlo cameras. It's no longer just about asking for the weather and playing music with fancy voice control - it's also about connecting to and controlling other devices in your home.

Smart home control has emerged into one of the most significant areas of Alexa's influence.

Pocket-Lint Recommendation: Nintendo Switch.

Pocket-Lint Recommendations: Xbox Console.

Pocket-Lint Recommendation: Google Nest.

Pocket-Lint Recommendation: Amazon Echo Devices.

Pocket-Lint Recommendations: Fire TV Stick.