Phone Calls Made Easy with Amazon Echo

Hey there! Wondering how you can effortlessly make phone calls using your Amazon Echo? I’ve got you covered! Let me guide you through this simple process step by step.

First things first, let’s make sure you have the right setup. Your Amazon Echo needs to be connected to Wi-Fi and have the latest software updates. Once you’ve checked these boxes, you’re ready to roll.

Next, I’ll walk you through how to make a phone call using your Echo. Just say, “Alexa, call [contact name or number].” Yep, it’s really that straightforward. Alexa will then connect you to the person you named or dial the phone number you provided.

But wait, there’s more! With your Amazon Echo, you can also make video calls. Just say, “Alexa, make a video call.” If you have contacts who also own Echo devices with screens or have the Alexa app installed on their smartphones, you can have a face-to-face chat with them.

Oh, and don’t worry about privacy. Your Echo is designed with multiple layers of security to keep your information safe. Plus, you can manage your calling feature settings in the Alexa app to control who can call you or how calls are made.

Now that you know the basics, feel free to explore some additional features. For instance, you can ask Alexa to redial the last number you called by saying, “Alexa, redial.” You can also ask Alexa to answer an incoming call or hang up by saying, “Alexa, answer” or “Alexa, hang up.”

Ready to become a pro at making phone calls with your Amazon Echo? Give it a try and see how convenient it is to stay connected with your loved ones. Happy calling!

Hey there, it’s time for another question from one of our TechJunkie readers, and today we’re talking about the Amazon Echo. One reader contacted us earlier this week asking, “Can I use my Amazon Echo to make phone calls? I heard it was possible, but I’m not sure how to do it.” Well, I’ve got some good news for you!

Before October 2017, making calls outside of the Amazon ecosystem using Alexa was not possible. However, thanks to a recent update, you can now do just that!

In the past, you could only send messages to other Amazon Echo users and have direct calls between devices. But now, with a new update, you can make phone calls to any number in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The best part? You don’t need any additional equipment to make outgoing calls.

However, if you want to receive calls from those numbers, you’ll need an Amazon Connect box, which costs $35. This handy device connects to your existing number and allows you to break out of the Amazon ecosystem. With it, you can receive calls from anyone in the three supported countries. And don’t worry, more locations will be added soon!

So, to answer your question, yes, you can definitely make phone calls with your Amazon Echo now. Just keep in mind that while you don’t need any equipment to make outgoing calls, you’ll need a Connect box to receive them. Happy chatting!

How to Set Up the Phone Call Feature on Your Amazon Echo

Before this update, using Alexa was like talking on a walkie-talkie. You could chat with other Alexa users through voice calls within the Amazon network, for as long as you wanted, and it didn’t cost anything. Amazon probably keeps records of your conversations to “improve the product,” just like it does when you give Alexa commands, but other than that, it’s been working fine.

But now, things have changed. You can use your Amazon Echo to call almost any number in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, it’s important to note that emergency calls are not supported, so the Echo can’t fully replace a regular phone just yet.

You might be wondering, how does the phone call function actually work? Well, let me explain.

To start making phone calls with your Amazon Echo, you’ll need three things: an Amazon account, an Echo device, and a cellphone plan. Most of us already have all three, so let’s move on to setting everything up.

1. First, open the Alexa app on your mobile device.
2. Next, tap on “Conversations” (the little speech bubble) from the bottom menu.
3. Follow the setup wizard to enter your phone number and link it with Alexa.

Amazon will send an SMS to your phone to verify your number. Once you receive the message, verify it within the app, and the setup will be complete. Keep in mind that it might take a few minutes for the text to arrive. When I was testing it with a friend, it took almost 6 minutes for the SMS to show up. If you don’t receive it, there’s an option in the setup wizard to resend the code.

One last thing, you’ll need to give Alexa permission to access your contacts list. But in return, you’ll be able to use voice commands to make and receive calls.

Making a call with Amazon Echo is a breeze

Once you’ve got everything set up, asking Alexa to make a call is as simple as can be.

You could use the Alexa app, but honestly, I’m not sure why you would. Just ask for what you want and Alexa will take care of it. Right now, the Alexa app can only make calls between Echo devices, not to external numbers. But that will probably change soon enough.

1. Open up the Alexa app on your device and select Conversations.
2. Choose Contacts, and then the person who also has an Echo.
3. Select Call, and away you go.

And now, thanks to the new system, you can also see who’s calling. This is especially helpful if you’re using Echo Connect, because a lot of folks I know tend to ignore calls from private or unknown numbers. With Echo, you can identify yourself so there’s a better chance your call will actually get answered.

Answering calls is a piece of cake

When someone calls you, it’s good to know how to answer it. The Echo will flash green to let you know there’s an incoming call, and your phone will also ring. Simply say out loud, “Alexa, answer the phone,” and voila! It’s done. If the number is in your contacts list, Alexa will tell you who is calling. If not, she’ll stay quiet.

For calls between Echo devices, Alexa will announce who’s calling. Unfortunately, this feature isn’t available yet for external callers. But don’t worry – you can still say, “Alexa, answer” or “Alexa, ignore,” depending on what you want to do.

Introducing Amazon Echo Connect

The Echo Connect is coming out on December 13, 2017. It’s priced at $35 and will be shipped directly from Amazon. Based on the information released so far, it looks like you’ll plug it into an electrical outlet and connect it to your WiFi network. It’ll also connect to your phone line with a built-in phone jack. The Echo Connect is compatible with most versions of Echo, Echo Show, Echo Spot, and Echo Plus. And it works seamlessly with the Alexa app.

After you’ve set it up, the Echo Connect links your Echo device and your phone line, allowing you to make and receive calls from non-Echo numbers. If you connect it to your landline, it’ll use that. If you have VoIP service, it’ll use VoIP. The best part? It’s completely free. Amazon won’t charge you a penny for calls, incoming or outgoing. We don’t know how long this deal will last, but it’s definitely an added bonus if your phone plan doesn’t include free calls.

While we haven’t had the chance to try out the Echo Connect yet, we’ve used Echo-to-Echo calls a lot. As long as you have a good WiFi signal, the calls are crystal clear and there’s no lag. The audio that comes out of the Echo’s speaker or your connected speakers is top-notch. The whole system works like a charm.

Of course, there’s always a chance that Amazon records calls, just like it does with Alexa commands. But we don’t have concrete proof of that yet. If that doesn’t bother you, then this system is perfect.