Hi.
I'm Max Dalton, and in this video I'm going to talk through how to make phone calls through
the Alexa Calling Service on your Amazon Echo device, and even just using the Amazon Alexa
app.
One of the more powerful features of Amazon's Alexa service is the ability to make phone
calls through the Alexa Calling Service -- both with and without an Echo device.
The feature is free and highly intuitive, making it easy to place phone calls when you're
not near your phone.
Additionally, if you've lost or misplaced your cell phone, you can have Alexa dial your
own number as a way to help you find it.
Before you can do anything, we'll need to verify that Alexa has access to the contacts
on your device.
Step 1.
Launch the Alexa app on your smart device.
You'll arrive at your Alexa home screen.
Step 2.
Tap the "Conversations" icon in the center of the row of icons along the bottom of the
screen.
The Conversations icon looks like a speech bubble.
The Conversations screen opens.
Step 3.
If you see a message on the Conversations screen that says Alexa needs access to your
device's contacts to help you call and message your friends and family with Alexa, then you
have currently not given Alexa access to your contacts, which it will need in order for
you to use the Alexa Calling service.
You'll see a Settings link beneath the text that will take you to the location on your
device where you can give the Alexa app access to your device's contacts.
After giving Alexa access to your device's contacts, return to the Alexa app and navigate
back to the Conversations section.
You'll notice the message about giving Alexa access to your contacts no longer appears,
and is replaced by a message about how you can now use Alexa to communicate with friends
and family.
Now that we've made sure that Alexa has access to your device's contacts, I'll walk through
how to make Alexa-to-Alexa phone calls from the Alexa app on a smart device.
Step 1.
Launch the "Alexa" app.
Step 2.
Tap the "Conversations" icon in the center of the row of icons along the bottom of the
screen.
Remember, this icon looks like a speech bubble.
Step 3.
Tap the "Contacts" icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
The Contacts icon looks like a silhouette of a person.
The Contacts screen appears, displaying a list of everyone in your device's contact
list who has a phone number associated with an Amazon Echo device.
This is the list of people you can make Alexa-to-Alexa phone calls to.
Step 4.
Tap the name of the contact you want to make an Alexa-to-Alexa phone call to.
A contact screen with that person's information appears.
Step 5.
Tap the "Phone" icon in the row of menu items along the top of the screen.
The Phone icon looks like an old-style telephone.
A screen opens that will show the name of the person you're calling, with ellipses scrolling
beneath their name.
Additionally, until the person picks up your phone call, you'll hear the periodic sound
of a phone ringing over your device's speaker, similar to what you would hear with any other
phone call.
If the person on the other end accepts your call, you'll see a Connected message beneath
that person's name on the screen, and you'll be able to talk with them on your device.
Alternatively, if they decline your call, you'll see an Ended message beneath that person's
name on the screen briefly, before being returned to that person's contact screen.
Step 6.
You can end the call using the red "End Call" icon along the bottom of the screen.
Now let's talk through how to make Alexa-to-Alexa phone calls on an Amazon Echo device using
your voice.
Step 1.
Say, "Alexa, call (insert Alexa contact name)."
The name that you tell Alexa to call must match the name of a person who shows up in
your Alexa contact list to make an Alexa-to-Alexa phone call.
The light ring on your Amazon Echo device will turn green.
If the person you're calling has notifications enabled for the Alexa app on their smart device,
they will see a notification that they have an incoming call from you.
Alternatively, if they are near an Amazon Echo device associated with their account,
the light ring on their Echo device will turn green and announce that you would like to
talk.
If the person you're trying to contact declines your phone call, Alexa will inform you through
your device that the contact is not available.
Alternatively, if the person is available to talk, you'll hear them pick up on the other
end of the line.
Step 2.
You can end the call at any time by saying "Alexa, Hang Up" or "Alexa, End Call."
The light ring on your Echo device will turn blue before turning off.
Now let's talk through how to use Alexa to call a traditional phone number on an Amazon
Echo device using your voice.
Step 1.
Say, "Alexa, call (insert the name of a contact in your device's contact list)."
Alternatively, you can say, "Alexa, dial (speak number)" to dial a specific phone nunber that
isn't in your device's contact list.
The light ring on your Amazon Echo device will turn green, and Alexa will announce that
she is calling that specific contact.
You'll hear a periodic ringing while the contact is being dialed.
The contact you are dialing will see the phone number associated with your Amazon Echo device
as the number attempting to reach them.
The user will either answer, or you'll be routed to their voice messaging service.
Step 2.
When you are done with the conversation, or if you decide you no longer want to make the
phone call, say either "Alexa, hang up" or "Alexa, end call."
The light ring on your Echo device will turn blue before turning off.
Congratulations!
You now have the ability to make phone calls on your Amazon Echo device using Alexa.
Thanks for watching.
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