Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Lost your keys? Amazon Echo’s Alexa may soon be able to help find them

It’ll soon be easier to make a list of things that Amazon’s Echo can’t do for you than all the things it can, especially now that Amazon is reportedly investing in TrackR, a company that helps you track your stuff.

As a “source familiar with the matter” told Reuters, the online retail giant is planning on investing between a quarter- and a half-million dollars with the Bluetooth technology firm, which may soon give Echo (and its associated virtual assistant, Alexa) the ability to help you find things like your keys, your phone, or maybe even your mind (well, not your mind).

Recommended Videos

Related: Don’t have Amazon’s Echo yet? Check it out here

Amazon differs from a number of other smart-home platforms in its willingness to let third-party devices integrate with Alexa. This has allowed the virtual assistant to expand its ecosystem rather extensively in the last several months, adding more and more Alexa-compatible devices to its roster. Indeed, with Amazon’s $100 million “Alexa Fund,” it’s no surprise that so many technologies have already hopped aboard this bandwagon.

Amazon has made roughly 15 investments so far through the Alexa Fund, including The Orange Chef (which brings kitchen-prep devices onto the Internet of Things) and Garageio (which makes your garage door smart).

With TrackR, Echo users would be able to attach a small Bluetooth tag to valuables and easy-to-misplace items, and then rely on Alexa to locate them. There’s no word yet as to how or when exactly an integration would occur, but it certainly seems like a logical move for both companies.

“The ability to bring on more partners and realize that you are building an entire ecosystem — I think that is what was really important for us,” Chris Herbert, who co-founded TrackR with friend Christian Smith in 2009, told Reuters. So if you find yourself constantly in search of something, just hold out for Alexa to help.

Lulu Chang
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Most common Amazon Echo Dot problems, and how to fix them
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) with Clock on table.

The Echo Dot is a fantastic way to stay connected with your schedule, favorite streaming platforms, news, weather, and smart home devices, but it's not without its glitches. Once in a while, you may experience a Wi-Fi dropout or other frustrating hiccup. Not to worry though: Most of these bugs have simple solutions to get things back on track. For your consideration, we've rounded up some of the most common Echo Dot issues users faceĀ  and what you can do to fix your troublesome Dot if it decides to act up.

Having trouble with other Amazon products? Check out our roundups of the most common Echo Show and Echo Bud issues and how to fix them. Issues with your network? Check out our list of the most common Wi-Fi problems (with solutions).
Your Echo Dot won't connect to Wi-Fi

Read more
Windows 11 may soon replace all your annoying RGB apps
a PC case with RGB lighting inside.

Microsoft may be adding a new feature to Windows 11, and if you're a fan of making your PC all shiny and fancy with RGB accessories, you're going to like this one.

A leaked screenshot shows that Windows 11 might soon allow you to control all of your RGB lighting in one place instead of having to rely on using different apps for various components.

Read more
The key to fixing your bad Wi-Fi connection may finally be here
Checking a Wi-Fi router and internet connection on a phone.

If you've ever found yourself frustrated due to poor Wi-Fi signal in certain buildings or rooms, we might have some good news -- a solution might be on the way.

A team of researchers from the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) and the University of Rennes found a new way that could help Wi-Fi signals go through walls.

Read more