The Amazon Echo Dot and Amazon Echo uses are countless! Here are the Echo features that we use daily!
Considering jumping on the Amazon Echo bandwagon but not quite sure how you will use it? Fear not – we are an Amazon Echo family with over 10 Echo devices thru-out or home. We are sharing the 5 helpful features and Amazon Echo uses that help make our day to day easier.
Amazon Echo Uses
The Amazon Echo is one of the most widely used technology products in our house. When we first bought the Echo back in 2016, I bought it just to see what it would do. We used it regularly and for Christmas, bought an Echo Dot for each of the kids’ rooms.
You will see us talking about Echo and Alexa and may wonder what in the world is she talking about. Think of Alexa like Siri. Alexa is the software technology that the Echos use to work.
Amazon Echo 2022
2022 update – the Amazon Echo is now on it’s 4th generation. While there still is an Amazon Echo, the most common Echo device is the Amazon Echo Dot. Here is a link to learn more.
5 Daily Uses for the Amazon Echo and Alexa
While we do use both for various silly things like playing Jeopardy or asking Alexa math problems, there are certain things we use it for daily. Here are our top 5 daily uses for the Amazon Echo.
Pandora and Audible Listening
Our house is never quiet. Between 4 kids and 2 dogs, I like a soundtrack to play in the background. The Amazon Echo provides that with easy access to my Pandora channels and Audible audiobooks.
Alexa shuffle Pandora
Use the Echo as a Kitchen Timer
One of the most common Amazon Echo uses for our family is using Alexa as a kitchen timer.
Gone are the days of punching in 60 seconds on the microwave to use as a kitchen timer. Now we just say, “Alexa, set a timer for 1 minute” and the Echo sets the timer. You can set multiple timers as well! While we use this primarily on our Kitchen Echo, we have been known to use the timer function for time-outs as well.
Here is the Amazon Echo keywords to alert Alexa to set a timer.
Alexa set a 7 minute time for noodles
While we use the Alexa Timer feature most in the kitchen, this also works well if you are putting a kid in time out (I kid, well not really – see toddler memes.) The timer does come in handy for other things like telling the kids to do homework or things as such.
Amazon Echo Intercom Features
Next on our list of Amazon Echo uses is the Amazon Echo intercom feature.
We are absolutely obsessed with using Amazon Echo and Alexa as an intercom. Each morning, I connect to the boys Echo Dots by saying “Alexa, drop in on the boys.” I then am connected, like an intercom to the boys’ room where they can hear anything I say, and I can hear anything they can say. Most mornings, it’s “GOOD MORNING, BOYS!” which I get cries on the other end.
You will need to use the Amazon Echo intercom instructions to setup your intercom feature, but after it is setup, here is the Alexa command for using the Amazon Echo intercom:
Alexa drop in on the kitchen.
When setting up your Amazon Echo intercom, you assign each room that has an Echo device a name and you will call that name when telling Alexa which Echo device you are wanting to talk to.
Musical Playlists
Each night, when tucking the boys in – we play the same playlist. Before purchasing the Echo Dot, the boys had a Zune. Who remembers the Microsoft Zune? One thing I will say, it worked.
The Dot was definitely an upgrade. No more gnarly speaker cables and crappy speaker. Before we leave the boys’ room each night, we say “Alexa, shuffle Rock-a-Bye Baby Playlist” – in which the boys’ bedtime playlist plays.
We’ve played the same music for the boys since they were babies. They are now 6 and 7-years-old. This summer, we tried new music. Nope – they weren’t having it! (If you are looking for music for babies or toddlers, or even kids – that is soothing but fun, check out the Rock-a-Bye Baby collection of music. It is various contemporary artists, like Cold Play and U2 – done in classical form.
Alexa shuffle my playlist
Alarm Clock
One of our most popular posts is Best Toddler Alarm Clocks. This year, I updated the list to include the Amazon Echo Dot – as I do think this is a great alarm clock that can grow with your kids!
Each night, after telling Alexa to play the boys’ music, we tell Alexa ” Alexa, set an alarm for 6:45am tomorrow.” And just like that, she listens and actually does what we ask – unlike our kids.
Alexa set an alarm for 6 am tomorrow morning
There are all types of settings so you can setup an Amazon Echo alarm schedule easily thru the Amazon Alexa app.
When to Buy a Amazon Echo
There are 2 times a year that are best to purchase an Amazon Echo device. Whether you are looking for an Echo, Echo Show or Dot – we suggest waiting until Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday / Cyber Monday.
Both of those sales event offer Amazon devices at awesome discounts!
The Future of Alexa
It’s always great when a device that you weren’t quite sure about becomes something that you use daily. Our next move with Echo and Alexa is home integration.
Don’t miss our funny Amazon memes!
I’m excited for our farmette to be turned from an 1980s home to a smart home.
Maybe my next what I use the Amazon Echo for post will include turning off my lights! “Alexa, turn off the lights.”
Amazon has put a ton of money into Amazon Alexa and the future is bright. This technology will just continue to evolve. Amazon has already made strides with things like Amazon Show, where you can make face-to-face calling. I’ve also heard that the Alexa technology will be in vehicles. It will be interesting to see where this goes!
- Read our Amazon Echo Dot review
- Check out the new Amazon Echo Look
Amazon Echo Uses is part of the Digital Mom Blog series on the Amazon Echo Products