Alexa, Call Mum

This week I’ve received several messages from clients who wanted to know more about making calls using their Amazon Alexa equipped devices. It shows the power of an app update these days and the attention we are paying to that daily refresh of the icons that fill our mobile devices. Have Amazon rolled out a new feature to the UK market that may be a nail in the coffin for the simple home phone?

Now you can call and message your friends and family who have Echo devices. You can also call and message from the Alexa app on your mobile device but it’s unlikely that Amazon will breakthrough as your preferred messaging platform. It’s the Echo to Echo communication that will excite and gain users. There is a simple setup process using the Alexa app to sync your contacts to the service and it will present you with a personal directory of contacts who are using the service. One thing to check here is if your contacts are up to date. Be aware though that some contacts might not show if a different number is associated with their Alexa account. You might need to help Mum get her Alexa voice service setup but using the service needs little explanation.

“Alexa, call Mum”, “Alexa, send a message to Mum” and “Alexa, hang up.” will be now be frequent voice activation phrases in our homes.

A green light on your Echo device is the indicator that you have a message or call coming in. Alexa will also announce who is calling you and you can answer the call by saying “Alexa, answer”. If you don’t want to accept the call just say “Alexa, ignore.”

Let us know how you get on with Alexa Calling and look out for the new Echo Show device launching in the UK in November which will provide video calling with Alexa.