8-inch HD touchscreen — use it for videos, photos, recipes, information, and touch controls.
Alexa built in — control it by voice for alarms, timers, weather, music, questions, reminders, etc.
Video calling — built-in camera allows video calls and Drop In.
Smart-home control — control compatible lights, plugs, cameras, locks and other devices.
Smart-home hub — the 3rd-generation model supports smart-home technologies including Zigbee, making it more capable as a central smart-home controller. 
Music and entertainment — use it as a smart speaker/display for music, podcasts and compatible video services.
Photos — it can display your photos like a digital picture frame.
Widgets — Alexa widgets can put useful information and shortcuts directly on the home screen.