Amazon hasn’t just announced a new Echo device today, the first ever with a display, it has also launched a couple of great features for existing Alexa-powered devices. Amazon has launched Alexa voice calling and messaging features today. This feature will be available for all previous Echo devices. Amazon says that it’s going to be live “soon,” which should be around or before June 28th when it starts shipping the Echo Show.
The voice calling feature is very easy to use. Just ask Alexa to call any of your contacts who have an Alexa device themselves and their device will start ringing. Yes, this won’t work if your contact doesn’t have an Alexa device.
That’s not going to be a problem, though, as Amazon is not limiting this feature to its Echo devices. The feature is also baked into the Alexa app for iOS and Android so it can easily be used by those who don’t have an Echo at home.
Since the Echo Show has a display, it can even make video calls, which also work with the Alexa app. Voice messaging is another new Alexa feature that Amazon has announced today. It lets users leave voice messages to their contacts, it’s kind of like voicemail, but simpler as it doesn’t involve having to call someone first.
Messages can be sent and received via an Echo device or the Alexa app. Expect these features to go live at some point next month.
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