Amazon Continues to Offer New Features

The Seattle-based company continues to expand its services. Last year, the tech giant launched a new group video or audio. They called feature for Echo devices just in time for the holidays. As a reminder, Amazon released the information about that feature back in September.

It is worth noting that, group calling allows up to seven participants to join an audio or video call on supported Echo devices like the Echo, Echo Dot, as well as Echo Show. People should take into account that, the company launched this feature in Austria, Brazil, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, India. Moreover, the company launched the group calling feature in Italy, Mexico, Spain, New Zealand, the U.S., and the U.K.

Interestingly, Echo owners have to ability to create and name groups using the Alexa app. Moreover, the company plans to support group calling through its Alexa app soon. Importantly, a user will have to opportunity to add adult contacts into groups, friends, as well as family members, will have to opt in to be part of group calls. Moreover, the new feature also supports Alexa commands like “Alexa, call my family” to connect to a group this user created.

Amazon and competitors

It is worth mentioning that, Eco group calling could be a good alternative to Zoom and other video calling services. Interestingly, there are no limits on-call times, allowing Echos owners to make or receive voice and video calls freely. However, without the Alexa app supporting group calling, it’s limited to requiring hardware for now.

People should take into account that, rivals like Microsoft Teams have also made all-day video calling free without limits via the web. This is not the end of the story, as Google is also offering unlimited Meet calls until March 2021.

Moreover, the Seattle-based company also introduced some U.S.-specific Alexa features. Importantly, Echo Show 8 devices in the U.S. support joining video calls on Zoom as well as Amazon Chime using Alexa. All users have to do is to say “Alexa, join my Zoom meeting” to jump on calls.