Cool Uses for the Amazon Echo

Did you know there are several more uses for the Amazon Echo Dot than just asking about the weather, playing music, and controlling your smart home devices? 

The compact version of Amazon’s popular voice assistant has its own hidden features. 

If you have an Alexa-enabled device, you can pair it with the Echo Dot to give it more functions. They are almost like BFFs that happen to live in different speaker cabinets. 

Let’s take a closer look at some cool uses for an Amazon Echo dot.

Uses for an Amazon Echo (and some for the echo dot)

Use Alexa to Stream Music…everywhere

If you have a smart speaker, you can use it to stream music from your Spotify account, your Amazon Music library, or even your local music files. You can also ask the voice assistant to recommend new tunes based on your music preferences.

You can access millions of songs and playlists if you have the Amazon Echo or Echo Dot paired with an Amazon Music Unlimited account.

So why use an Amazon Echo dot to stream music when you can do the same thing with a more powerful device? If you put an Echo Dot in every room, you can stream your favorite music to every room. Now, that’s music to your ears. 

Personally, I put an Echo Dot in every room of my house. That way, I can change the music from room to room or even play it throughout the house when I am home. 

If you want to try this, you must have your Echo Dots all in the same account.

You can use the same Amazon account on all devices, so you don’t have to log in and out of your account each time. 

Alternatively, you can set up individual accounts on each device. But, you have to log out of each device when you are done using it, or you may forget to turn off your music when you are ready to sleep.

Monitor Your Habits

Do you keep track of your habits? 

You can train and use Echo Dot to track your habits and fitness using third-party apps like  Halo View fitness tracker and Habit Tracker.

The Amazon Echo dot will add the event to your log. So you can track your progress towards a goal. You can log habits on your phone, laptop, or table because the data is safe in the cloud.  

You can also enable a “silent mode” to discreetly track your habits. If you are a student and need to keep track of your progress, or you are an entrepreneur and want to keep track of your daily tasks, the Echo Dot can be a helpful tool.

Turn the Echo Dot into a Smart Home Hub

If you have an Amazon Echo or a smart speaker paired with the Amazon Alexa app, you can add another device to your account with a new Echo Dot. You can even use your existing Echo Dot device to turn it into a smart home hub. 

If you have a smart home device such as a smart light bulb or a smart plug, you can pair it with the Echo to control it with your voice. If you have a security camera or doorbell, you can use the Echo Dot to answer the device and check who is at your door. You can also use the Dot to control the cameras to see what is happening. 

So, if you want to try this, set up the device with the Alexa app first. Then, add the device to your account through your Amazon account.

Track Exercises with Fitness-Tracker Voice Commands

If you are a fitness-savvy person, you know that tracking your workouts can be challenging.

It can be challenging to remember to keep track of the distance you have run, the time you have spent on the treadmill, and the number of calories you have burned.

And if you have an Amazon fitness tracker, such as the Fitbit, or a fitness tracker that records data in the Health app, you can pair it with the Echo Dot. This way, you can use your voice to track the exercise record of your progress.

To do this, first, you have to link your fitness tracker to your Amazon account. Then, you have to enable the “Alexa” skill in the Health app. It will allow you to use your voice to log your exercises.

Add More Devices to an Amazon Echo Dot

Now that you know more about cool uses for the Amazon Echo dot, maybe you have started to think about investing in one. But, you are wondering what devices you can connect to the Dot. 

There are some limitations to the devices you can connect. For example, you cannot connect it to security systems. It can be a part of it Ring Security System and can be used to detect movement in your house via the inbuilt microphones to detect audio in the house.

However, you can connect it to your other smart home devices, such as lights, plugs, and thermostats. 

To do this, make sure you have the devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Amazon Dot. You then have to connect your devices to the Alexa app. You can use the same account on all your devices, so you don’t have to log in and out of your account each time. 

Alternatively, you can set up individual accounts on each device. But remember to log out of each device when you are done using it, or you may forget to turn off your lights when you are ready to sleep.

Final Thoughts

Owning more than one Amazon Echo device has its benefits. If you already have a smart speaker, you can easily add another device by pairing it with an Echo Dot.

All you have to do is plug in the Dot and open the Alexa app. Then, select “Add a device” and follow the instructions to pair your devices. You can also pair an Echo Dot with a portable speaker like the Amazon Tap or the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition. 

You can control the Echo device independently if you have more than one device. Then you can also group two or more devices to play the music throughout your house. These devices are not just a speaker but powerful tools that can make life easier.