• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechInternet of Things

Amazon Echo: What Can It Do and When Can You Get It

By
Leena Rao
Leena Rao
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Leena Rao
Leena Rao
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 17, 2016, 11:29 AM ET

Amazon may have had trouble competing with Apple and Google on smartphones and tablets. But when it comes to the connected home, Amazon might be the winner.

The tech giant’s hit voice-controlled home device Echo comes with Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant that can answer questions, turn on lights, order items like diapers, and even call you an Uber. Amazon also recently revealed a new smaller version of the Echo, dubbed the Echo Dot.

The Echo was so popular that Amazon sold out of the Internet-connected appliance, which retails for $180. Amazon’s Echo landing page promises more Echo devices will be back in stock by April 1. The Echo Dot costs $89.99, but it is available only for Amazon Prime members.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

For current and prospective owners, here are six useful (and even wacky) things that the Amazon Echo can do:

Turn on your lights: You can link your Echo to turn off, turn on, or dim the lights in your home. The Echo can connect to Phillips Smart Lights, WeMo lights, and other connected light. You could also simply tell your Echo, “Alexa, turn on kitchen,” and your lights will turn on.

Control the temperature of your home: Amazon has partnered with smart thermostat makers Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell to enable Echo users to turn up the heat or AC using voice commands with Alexa. On a whim, homeowners can tell Alexa, “Turn up the heat to 70.”

Order a Pizza: Customers can use Echo to order pizza deliveries by linking a Domino’s Pizza profile account with the Amazon Alexa app. With those powers combined, users can ask Alexa to order a pizza from the nearest Dominos.

For more on Amazon’s Alexa, watch:

Check your credit card balance: Capital One customers can check balances, find out when bills are due, and even pay bills through through Echo. Capital One was the first financial institution signed up to work with Alexa, equipping its clients with access to interact with their financial information through the living room-based device.

Monitor your steps and calories burned: Thanks to a very recent integration with wearable tracker manufacturer Fitbit, Alexa can tell you how many steps you’ve taken that day, how you slept, and how active you’ve been based on your Fitbit activity.

Order an Uber: If walking isn’t an option, your digital personal assistant can ring for a chauffeur instead. After enabling the Uber skill in the Alexa mobile app, you can tell your Echo, “Alexa, order me an Uber,” and Amazon’s virtual assistant will call up and send an Uber to your location. It will even tell you how far away the Uber driver is.

About the Author
By Leena Rao
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Trump may have shot himself in the foot at the Fed, as Powell could stay on while Miran resigns from White House post
By Eleanor PringleFebruary 4, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
Peter Thiel warns the Antichrist and apocalypse are linked to the ‘end of modernity’ currently happening—and cites Greta Thunberg as a driving example
By Nick LichtenbergFebruary 4, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
After decades in the music industry, Pharrell Williams admits he never stops working: ‘If you do what you love everyday, you’ll get paid for free'
By Emma BurleighFebruary 3, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Investing
Tech stocks go into free fall as it dawns on traders that AI has the ability to cut revenues across the board
By Jim EdwardsFebruary 4, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Commentary
I've studied nonviolent resistance in war zones for 20 years and Minnesota reminds me of Colombia, the Philippines and Syria
By Oliver Kaplan and The ConversationFebruary 3, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Investing
Ray Dalio warns the world is ‘on the brink’ of a capital war of weaponizing money—and gold is the best way for people to protect themselves
By Sasha RogelbergFebruary 4, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.


Latest in Tech

tiktok
CybersecuritySocial Media
Gen Z are rebelling against TikTok USA by installing another app—founded by an Oracle alum
By Nick LichtenbergFebruary 5, 2026
42 minutes ago
Amodei
Big TechBattle for Talent
Tech giants are shelling out up to $400k for AI evangelists to defend against surging American skepticism
By Jake AngeloFebruary 5, 2026
2 hours ago
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy
AIEye on AI
Hey Alexa—Amazon may be teaming up with OpenAI. Here’s why that matters
By Sharon GoldmanFebruary 5, 2026
3 hours ago
Palmer Luckey,
SuccessCareers
Forget a degree—$30 billion defense startup Anduril will fast-track your job application if you can win its AI drone flying contest
By Preston ForeFebruary 5, 2026
4 hours ago
lewis, lee
InvestingMarkets
Michael Lewis and Tom Lee hold court on the $1 trillion software-stock carnage: ‘I think fear is not a bad thing to be long right now’
By Nick LichtenbergFebruary 5, 2026
5 hours ago
Sam Altman OpenAI CEO, standing with his arms folded.
AIOpenAI
ChatGPT’s market share is slipping as Google and rivals close the gap, app-tracker data shows
By Beatrice NolanFebruary 5, 2026
5 hours ago