[1][2] The features of the device include voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, and playing audiobooks, in addition to providing weather, traffic and other real-time information.

Amazon started developing Echo devices inside its Lab126 offices in Silicon Valley and in Cambridge, Massachusetts as early as 2010.

Although the two products are similar the Tap is battery powered, portable, and requires the touch of a button in order to enable voice commands.

In June 2018 the Amazon Echo Show was released to the public as a device with a 7-inch screen used for streaming media, making video calls and the use of Alexa.

[14] The device requires one time setup by pairing it with Amazon's Alexa app, which gives the user more control over features.

Echo devices offer weather from AccuWeather and news from a variety of sources, including local radio stations, BBC, NPR, and ESPN from TuneIn and iHeartRadio.

[21][22] Additionally, integration with the Echo is in the works for Countertop by Orange Chef, Sonos,[23] Scout Alarm, Garageio, Toymail, MARA, and Mojio.

Examples of skills include the ability to play music, answer general questions, set an alarm, order a pizza or a ridesharing car (e.g., Uber, Lyft), and so on.

The Alexa Skills Kit is a collection of self-service application programming interfaces (API), tools, documentation and code samples.

[31][additional citation(s) needed] High speech accuracy is achieved through sophisticated natural language processing algorithms built into the Echo's text-to-speech engine.

[citation needed] As with all Alexa devices, the functionality of Echo smart speakers periodically evolves as Amazon releases new software for it.

For example, in April 2015, the Echo added the ability to give live sports scores without updating the software version running on the device.

Switching between the profiles can allow users to play their music, access their calendars, and use their accounts for shopping, instead of just using one person's.

[34] The first-generation Amazon Echo consists of a 9.25 inch (23.5 cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven-piece microphone array.

[37] Although the Echo is intended to be voice-controlled at the unit, a microphone-enabled remote control similar to the one bundled with the Amazon Fire TV is available for purchase.

[48] As of December 2017[update], the Echo was available in more than 80 countries: Albania, Austria, Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Ghana, Gibraltar Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela and Zambia.

[citation needed] As of April 2019, Alexa was the only Cortana-integrated voice assistant, which gave it exclusive access to Microsoft's suite of business applications.

[52] Additionally, users have the option to enhance the portability of the Echo Dot with third-party external batteries, providing extended usage on the go.

These fabric-covered Echo Dots also incorporated upgraded speaker drivers while retaining their core functionalities, including 3.5mm audio output.

[42][57] In September 2022, the fifth generation Echo Dot introduced several enhancements, including a new temperature sensor, an improved audio experience with clearer vocals and deeper bass, and cutting-edge ultrasonic motion detection technology.

Notably, it also features eero Built-in as a Wi-Fi extender, expanding its capabilities for smart homes and offering users a broader range of options.

[65] The device can provide artificial intelligence outfit recommendations, take photos, and record videos; in addition to the features available on the Echo.

[66] It offers Amazon Alexa's key feature plus a camera to take full-length photos and 360-degree videos with built-in AI for fashion advice.

[67][68] As a consumer product, it helps catalog users' outfits and rates their looks based on "machine learning algorithms with advice from fashion specialists.

The device now resembles the look of the Echo Pop, with a 2.83" inch touch screen with a half-circle tinted cover glass and a speaker.

It has a full-sized USB Type-A port into the bottom to charge other devices or into which additional accessories, such as a motion sensor, can be plugged.

[83] In November 2019, Amazon introduced Echo Studio, a Dolby Atmos-compatible surround sound Alexa speaker.

Its design has been praised, and reviewers have regarded it as a good model for small rooms and situations where higher audio quality is not needed.

[87][88][89] At an Alexa-themed product launch event in September 2018, Amazon announced an Echo device designed for cars.

[102][103] Amazon responds to these concerns by stating that Echo only streams recordings from the user's home when the "wake word" activates the device, though the device is technically capable of streaming voice recordings at all times, and in fact will always be listening to detect if a user has uttered the word.