I never thought about using the feature as a wireless intercom. I like that
idea.
-----Original Message-----
From: Merv Keck
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 3:33 PM
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature
Hi,
There have also been a few issues with the Alexa app and voice messages not
being carried to the recipient. We had quite a bit of trouble with that
yesterday. Even the transcripts of the messages got lost sometimes if two
people attempted to message one another at the exact same time.
I do think it is an excellent new feature and has great potential. We have
two dots at each end of a 988 square foot apartment. we have been looking
for a decent set of wireless intercoms for years. Now we just use the
message or call feature on our Dots.
And we are considering the Shows but are concerned about accessibility or
future loss of accessibility.
Merv
-----
For all things Echo:
echoing+subscr...@groups.io
-----Original Message-----
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 3:27 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature
You took the words right out of my mouth, I was going to ask whether anyone
had yet used this functionality of Alexa so thanks for letting us know your
impressions.
Unfortunately this functionality isn't available in Australia as yet.
On 12/05/2017 5:03 AM, Gary Schindler wrote:
Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the
IOS Alexa app!
The setup was pretty straight forward.
You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed
to the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using
to receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or
IOS.
When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone.
once you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you
are taken to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use
the microphone and so on.
Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert
contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.
Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa
call so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app
on there phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the
app and enable the calling feature. I would think they had better have an
Amazon account though!
Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a
contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person
doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down the
phone or anything. you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The only way
I got voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa devices. The
phone vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and I could
answer or decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices
to make calls.
When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at
hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the
other party you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there
is no way to find the end call icon if you are totally blind because you
have no voiceover.
I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am
waiting for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out
and let all of us know how accessible it is.
If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the
device is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.
--
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