Ever pondered over “what does Amazon Echo do?” Allow me to unravel the enigma. With over a decade of experience, having worked on Siri at Apple and Alexa at Amazon, I’m here to guide you.
This guide will delve into various features, breeze through the 71 Alexa commands, and explain the smart home integration.
Ready to dive in?
Echoing Excellence: Amazon Echo Features
Diving into the Echo universe unveils many features awaiting exploration. It’s more than a smart speaker; it’s your go-to gadget for a blend of fun and functionality. Let’s echo through its smart home capabilities, skills, and more, each promising a step towards smarter living, including Echo Commands to try for each.
Smart Home

With Amazon Echo, your home becomes an extension of your digital world. Control lights, adjust thermostats, lock doors, or even monitor your home with compatible security systems. It’s about creating a living space that responds to your needs and preferences, making everyday living a breeze.
Commands:
- “Alexa, turn on the lights.”
- “Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees.”
- “Alexa, lock the front door.”
- “Alexa, turn off the coffee maker.”
- “Alexa, is the garage door closed?”
- “Alexa, dim the living room lights to 50%.”
Alexa Skills
Alexa Skills are akin to apps on your smartphone, each adding a unique functionality to Alexa. From checking your bank balance, ordering a pizza, getting workout routines, to learning a new language, the variety is endless. Skills can be enabled via the Alexa app or by voice.
Commands:
- “Alexa, start 7-minute workout.”
- “Alexa, play Jeopardy.”
- “Alexa, help me relax.”
- “Alexa, open Headspace.”
- “Alexa, tell me a story.”
- “Alexa, open [Skill Name].”
- “Alexa, play Trivial Pursuit.”
- “Alexa, help me meditate.”
Music and Audio
Your musical companion awaits. Stream tunes, enjoy podcasts, or dive into audiobooks with a voice command. It’s about experiencing audio like never before.

Commands:
- “Alexa, play some jazz.”
- “Alexa, turn up the volume.”
- “Alexa, play the latest episode of [Podcast Name].”
- “Alexa, play [Song Name] by [Artist Name].”
- “Alexa, what’s playing?”
- “Alexa, play music for studying.”
- “Alexa, pause.”
- “Alexa, resume.”
Communication
Stay connected sans the hassle, whether dropping in on family or making hands-free calls. Echo turns communication into a breeze.
Commands:
- “Alexa, call Mom.”
- “Alexa, drop in on the living room.”
- “Alexa, send a message to [Contact Name].”
- “Alexa, announce dinner is ready.”
- “Alexa, answer.”
- “Alexa, hang up.”
- “Alexa, read my messages.”
- “Alexa, where’s my phone?”
Routines
Craft personalized routines to streamline your day. It’s like having a digital personal assistant awaiting your command.
Commands:
- “Alexa, good morning.”
- “Alexa, I’m home.”
- “Alexa, start my day.”
- “Alexa, good night.”
- “Alexa, start my workout routine.”
- “Alexa, I’m leaving.”
- “Alexa, movie time.”
- “Alexa, relax mode.”
Productivity
Amazon Echo isn’t just about fun and games; it’s a productivity powerhouse. Manage your calendar, set reminders for important tasks, create to-do lists, and even email or message contacts. With Echo, your voice becomes the command center for managing your day efficiently.

Commands:
- “Alexa, set a reminder for my meeting at 2 PM.”
- “Alexa, add milk to my shopping list.”
- “Alexa, what’s on my calendar for tomorrow?”
- “Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes.”
- “Alexa, create a to-do list.”
- “Alexa, remind me to call John.”
- “Alexa, cancel my 2 PM reminder.”
- “Alexa, what’s on my to-do list?”
Questions
A curious companion ready to delve into the internet to quench your queries. From weather forecasts to random trivia, get answers effortlessly.

Commands:
- “Alexa, what’s the weather like today?”
- “Alexa, how far is the moon?”
- “Alexa, who won the world series last year?”
- “Alexa, how do you spell [word]?”
- “Alexa, what’s 10 plus 20?”
- “Alexa, who is the president?”
- “Alexa, what’s the capital of France?”
- “Alexa, when is Mother’s Day?”
Shopping
Transform shopping chores into a breezy experience. Create shopping lists, track orders, and make purchases on Amazon with voice commands.

Commands:
- “Alexa, add eggs to my shopping list.”
- “Alexa, order more paper towels.”
- “Alexa, track my order.”
- “Alexa, where’s my stuff?”
- “Alexa, find me a good deal on headphones.”
- “Alexa, add chocolate to my Whole Foods cart.”
- “Alexa, buy more dog food.”
- “Alexa, reorder laundry detergent.”
News
Stay updated on global happenings with a simple voice prompt. Echo fetches the latest news, keeping you informed.
Commands:
- “Alexa, what’s the news today?”
- “Alexa, play NPR.”
- “Alexa, give me the latest sports news.”
- “Alexa, what’s the stock market doing today?”
- “Alexa, what are the headlines?”
- “Alexa, tell me a news summary.”
- “Alexa, play the news from [News Outlet].”
- “Alexa, what’s the latest in tech?”
Kitchen
Your culinary aide is here to help with recipes, timers, and conversions. It’s like having a sous chef awaiting your command. Echo Show really shines here.

Commands:
- “Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes.”
- “Alexa, how many tablespoons in a cup?”
- “Alexa, find me a chicken recipe.”
- “Alexa, add bread to my shopping list.”
- “Alexa, how many calories in an apple?”
- “Alexa, convert 350 Fahrenheit to Celsius.”
- “Alexa, how do I make a smoothie?”
- “Alexa, set a pizza timer.”
Games
Dive into a realm of fun with Echo as your gaming partner. Echo brings a playful touch to your routine, from trivia challenges to interactive story games.
Commands:

- “Alexa, play Jeopardy.”
- “Alexa, let’s play a game.”
- “Alexa, play 20 Questions.”
- “Alexa, open Escape the Room.”
- “Alexa, play Song Quiz.”
- “Alexa, play Would You Rather.”
- “Alexa, play True or False.”
- “Alexa, open The Magic Door.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I ask Alexa?
You can ask Alexa a myriad of questions ranging from weather forecasts, news updates, to trivia. Additionally, command Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, set reminders, and much more.
What skills can be added to Amazon Echo?
Skills are like apps for Alexa, enhancing its capabilities. They span various categories, including news, games, fitness, education, and lifestyle.
What makes Amazon Echo different from other smart devices?
Amazon Echo stands out due to its robust voice recognition, a vast array of skills, seamless smart home integration, and ability to learn and adapt over time.
What is the difference between Echo and Alexa?
Echo is the smart speaker hardware, while Alexa is the voice-activated software that powers it. Alexa is the voice assistant that interprets and responds to your commands, while Echo is the device that houses Alexa. Go deeper.
A Symphony of Echoes: Summarizing Amazon Echo’s Offerings
This guide unraveled the essence of “what does Amazon Echo do,” diving into its features and commands that make it a smart home marvel. We’ve explored how its capabilities stretch from being a musical companion to a culinary aide, making everyday tasks enjoyable. Your journey with Amazon Echo is bound to be an exciting one. Eager to discover more? Dive deeper into the Alexa Archives. We value your thoughts! Please share your comments and feedback below, and let’s continue exploring the smart home universe together.