Amazon Alexa , also known simply as Alexa , is a virtual assistant AI technology developed by Amazon , first used in the Amazon Echo smart speakers developed by Amazon Lab126 . It is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms , streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, sports, and other real-time information, such as news . Alexa can also control several smart devices using itself as a home automation system. Users are able to extend the Alexa capabilities by installing "skills" (additional functionality developed by third-party vendors, in other settings more commonly called apps such as weather programs and audio features).