How To Register Dot To Make Calls

One of the nearly common questions we're asked about using Amazon Repeat for home security is, "Can information technology make calls?" The respond is, "yes."

In the past, Echo worked as a conduit betwixt your phonation and your smartphone. It did this using "skills." Thank you to a recent update, you no longer need skills, but is that a good thing? Before we encompass the good and the bad, permit us to introduce yous to the skills currently available inside the Alexa app that might come in handy during an emergency situation.

Before you leave, exist sure to read the potential safety concerns of using Repeat in an emergency situation every bit outlined in the pros and cons department.

Repeat, Dot, Spot, Show, or the Alexa App

Amazon now supports Alexa Calling. What's cool about this feature is that information technology'south already built into the Alexa app. To become started, sync your phone'southward contacts and y'all're done. You can too call local businesses by name or y'all can brand phone calls by phone number (Us, Mexico, and Canada). The feature is fabricated even more intelligent by Vocalisation ID (vox recognition). If yous ask Alexa to telephone call your mom, for example, it will call your mom, not your spouse's mom.

"Alexa, Call {contact name/telephone number}."
"Alexa, Send a message to {contact name/phone number}."

Alexa Calling works with Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Spot, Echo Bear witness, and Plus or you can access the feature using the Alexa app. Withal, vox calling is not compatible with Amazon Tap, Fire TV, or tertiary-party Alexa-enabled devices such as Ecobee4.

One time placed, the telephone call will come up through similar any normal phone call. And if you choose to program your phone number into the Alexa app, the contact you call volition see your number on their caller ID.

The biggest catch is that you can't use the skill to call 911. If you want to phone call 911, you'll need two things. Start, y'all'll need an existing landline or VoIP service. Second, you will need an Echo Connect ($34.99). When you connect Repeat Connect to your existing phone service, yous can make calls using your vocalism to anyone, including 911.

With the new Amazon Echo Evidence or fifty-fifty Echo Spot, both Echo devices with a screen, you can initiate video calls or perform drop-ins. A driblet-in gives you the ability to see what's going on even if the other person doesn't respond the telephone. Amazon suggests using this feature for nurseries or to check on aging loved ones.

Finally, you tin can send text messages via Amazon-made Alexa devices. To actuate the feature, go to the "Conversations" tab of the Alexa app, select "Contacts," go to "My Contour," and enable "Transport SMS." In one case on, you tin ask Alexa to send a message to any Alexa user in your contact list. What if you want to ship a message to a contact who doesn't ain an Alexa device? No problem. Alexa tin send the message to their mobile number the same way it calls U.s.a. phone numbers. The grab? The characteristic but works with Android devices for now.

• Free App
• Supports All Your Phone Contacts
• Punch by Number
• Calls to 9-1-one Require Echo Connect
• Vox Calls or Messaging
• Push Alert Volition Evidence Contact Name
• Purchasing an Echo Prove or Spot Adds Video Calls and Drib-ins
• Send Messages To Alexa Devices Or Text a Usa Number Using an Android Phones

Skype

Amazon and Microsoft are working together. For ane, you can at present talk to Alexa using a Cortana-enabled estimator. Two, they've offered an Alexa and Skype integration.

Just like Alexa Calling, Alexa's Skype feature is built-in and not activated via a Skill. The catch is that it's not available for all Echo devices. It merely works on Repeat Dot (2nd and tertiary gen), Amazon Echo (1st and 2nd gen), Repeat Plus (1st and 2nd gen), Echo Testify (1st and 2d gen), and Echo Spot.

To activate the integration, yous must first link your Skype account to Alexa. Just go to the Alexa app, Settings > Communication > Skype. Yous can ready Skype as your preferred communication service in place of Alexa Calling.

For Echo devices with a screen (Show and Spot), the Skype characteristic supports voiceand video calls to your Skype contacts as well as calls to mobile and landline numbers. Just say, "Alexa, telephone call Bob" or "Alexa, phone call {dictate phone number}." You can besides receive Skype calls. Simply say, "Alexa, pick up" to answer a telephone call. For Echo devices without a screen, the Skype integration offers the same features minus video calling.

Have note that the Skype to Phone feature (use Skype to call mobile and landline numbers) requires a premium subscription and is not designed for emergency calls.

• Gratis Service
• Direct Integration
• Call Anyone on Your Skype Contact List
• Call Mobile & Landline Numbers From Anywhere (Fees Utilise)
• Not For Emergency Calls

Ooma

Ooma is primarily a service, but they also sell hardware. You can employ the Alexa skill fifty-fifty without existence an "Ooma owner." If y'all choose to buy the Ooma Telo, you will accept access to additional features. With a Telo, you can use your voice to check voicemails. Without a Telo, y'all can't. Even without a Telo, you will have access to 300 minutes of free calls, with a lifetime limit of 1500 minutes. Telo owners have unlimited gratuitous calling. Too, Telo owners tin set nicknames ahead of time. Non-Ooma owners will demand to showtime dial a number by speaking the number and then wait for the prompt request you to salve an optional nickname.

Afterwards activating Ooma'south Amazon Echo skill yous will exist able to brand calls past number or by contact name. Examples of trigger phrases include:

"Alexa, use Ooma to call {contact proper name}."
"Alexa, apply Ooma to call 555-867-5309."

One time you utilize the trigger phrase,your phone will ring. Yes,y'all must answeryour phone to consummate the phone call. Using the Ooma skill is no different than using Siri. Once you pick up the call, Ooma volition connect y'all. The person you are calling will see your number just like a regular phone call. Unless…

There is one exception: Repeat Connect. You can pair Echo Connect and Ooma for avant-garde easily-free calling, including calls to 9-i-1. With Echo Connect in place, yous can speak shorter commands like:

"Alexa, call Mom."
"Alexa, call 911."

Echo Connect will span emergency calls to 9-1-ane, and Ooma's service will brand the call more secure past making sure that information technology'due south connected and also by providing the accost yous have on file.

• Complimentary Skill
• Manage i,000 Contacts
• Dial By Contact or Number, Including 9-1-i
• Caller-ID Volition Show Your Number
• Works With or Without Ooma Telo Hardware
• Requires That You Respond Your Phone to Complete a Call

IFTTT

Using the IFTTT skill, you can make calls, later on you activate IFTTT's phone phone call channel. When you do, you will exist prompted to enter one phone number. That'south correct; it just supports one. Theoretically, y'all're supposed to enter your own phone number, only at that place's no reason why you tin't enter an emergency contact instead. Can you enter 9-1-1? Yous cannot. When yous fix upward the channel, IFTTT will telephone call yous with an activation Pin. Obviously, calling ix-one-1 with an activation pivot wouldn't work. In one case setup is complete, you will be able to trigger a call by saying:

"Alexa, trigger call my phone."

The phone call is then made by IFTTT, thus caller-ID will show IFTTT's phone number and use IFTTT'due south robotic vox. Withal, robo-caller will say whatever you want. When setting upward the Applet, you lot will exist able to choose a custom message.

• Free Skill
• Supports ane Contact
• Tin NOT Call 9-1-1
• Caller-ID Will Show IFTTT'due south Number
• Plays a Custom Bulletin

AT&T Ship Message

If y'all have a plan through AT&T that supports messaging, y'all should be able to employ the AT&T skill. Equally we're not AT&T subscribers, this is the only skill we weren't able to test.

Instead of making phone calls, this skill allows y'all to ship brusque, custom text messages hands-free. To actuate the skill, you volition demand to say,"Alexa, inquire AT&T to text {contact proper noun}." If Alexa understands your asking, she will prompt you for the bulletin, have the message, and then send it for you.

• Gratuitous Skill, Requires AT&T Service
• Manage 10 Contacts
• Might potentially be able to text 9-1-one, if yous accept Text-to-911 in your surface area. (Not Tested)
• Sends Customized Texts Messages
• Text Bulletin Will Show You Every bit The Contact

Enquire My Buddy

Alexa Calling and Echo Connect aside, My Buddy is one of the best options for making emergency calls through Amazon Echo or other Alexa-enabled devices. Information technology's a complimentary skill, though they accept and need donations. With a $10 or more donation, you will receive access to premium features including multilingual alerts, unlimited messages, and the option to disable the "alert all" feature. You volition also receive support for ten contacts for iii months. Without a donation, you can remember to 5 contacts using your vocalisation and are limited to 10 letters per month. A message is per method, not contact. For example, if you send a text and phone call warning to a contact, that counts as two messages.

In my opinion, there are two benefits to using My Buddy over using Alexa Calling. With Alexa Calling, you tin only call one emergency contact at a time. Using My Buddy, you can phone call one person, or you tin can send an warning to everyone at once. Depending on what you want to do, you will either say:

"Alexa, ask My Buddy to alert {contact name}."
"Alexa, ask My Buddy to warning everyone."

My Buddy will call your desired contact, send an e-mail, and send a text bulletin. This is the second do good of using My Buddy. With Alexa Calling, you can send a message or make a call, merely you can't practice both at the same time. With My Buddy, information technology blasts out the message using multiple methods. The call comes through using MyBuddy's telephone number with a robotic voice. Unfortunately, you tin't customize the message, but the message is crystal articulate. On all platforms, the message reads equally:

"{Name} sent you an warning via AskMyBuddy.net on Amazon Alexa. This alert is sent only if this person has asked for assist. Please bank check on them now."

Can y'all use My Buddy to dial nine-i-1? Y'all cannot. For starters, all contact numbers must be at least 10 digits in length. Can yous input your local emergency phone number? Y'all cannot. How would they know who you are? The call uses My Buddy'south phone number and lacks personal information such as your address or other identifying data.

To setup the Ask My Buddy skill, follow the directions found here.

• Free Skill / Donations Accustomed
• Manage v Contacts, 10 Contacts for 3 Months with a $10 Donation
• Dial Ane Contact or All Contacts
• Can NOT Telephone call 9-1-1
• Caller-ID Will Show My Buddy's Number
• Sends an Email and Text in Add-on to a Call

Noonlight (Formerly SafeTrek)

Some other good culling to Alexa Calling? Noonlight. Noonlight is a personal safety app. The bones service is free and includes access to emergency services. The app, available for both iOS and Android users, features a signature shield icon. When you want backup, you place your finger on the shield and concur. If all ends well, you lot release your finger and enter your pin code. If things plow hairy, you release your finger and Noonlight will call to make certain you lot're okay before calling for assist on your behalf.

And this is similar to how information technology works when paired with an Alexa-enabled device. The catch? The Alexa integration is not gratis. Instead, it is bundled into the Premium Plan for $ix.99 per calendar month which includes other integrations and bonus features similar Crash Response and monitoring for select continued devices.

Command phrases include:

"Alexa, tell Noonlight to transport help."
"Alexa, tell Noonlight someone's in my house."
"Alexa, tell Noonlight I'chiliad hurt."

• Connects to a Central Monitoring Center
• Includes Noonlight App Access and Alexa Skill
• Emergency Responders Will Telephone call 9-i-1 For You lot

Honorable Mentions

Some other texting pick is SayJab. The skill is non currently working correctly, and per the reviews, we're not the only ones facing a claiming. For now, we're calling SayJab a pass.

Other options include connecting IFTTT hardware channels like iSmartAlarm. Using the iSmart channel you can create a panic trigger. If you set your alarm to panic fashion, iSmart volition make a telephone telephone call to emergency contacts.

Third, you can apply dwelling house to make vocalization calls. We actually like this choice considering we similar the abode system, but it's expensive. Not but does it require that y'all purchase habitation hardware, but you must also exist subscribed to their CONNECT + SECURE plan for $20 per month. If you are subscribed, you tin only say,"Alexa, tell abode to telephone call police."This phrase will trigger a panic alarm which is then sent to the monitoring heart; they volition contact the police on your behalf.

Finally, yous tin try Tasker AutoVoice plugin. Our main concern with Tasker is that it's difficult to use. The best way to draw Tasker is like IFTTT on steroids for Android users. Though it's more complex, it is an extremely powerful tool.

Pros and Cons of the Different Methods

Now to the important part.Information technology's vital that we share with yous a few warnings. Before nosotros spring into product specific pros and cons, there are cons that bear upon using all of the options nosotros've discussed in an emergency situation.

First, Amazon Echo requires an internet connection and power. If power and internet are lost, you tin't use the device to make calls.

2d, the device must be within earshot when you demand it. Information technology's common for people to fall and demand assist in the shower. Would you identify a listening device in your restroom? Maybe you would, merely keep in mind that you volition need to place i in every location where your loved ones might demand to call for assistance. The good news is that at $49.99, Echo Dot from Amazon is an affordable solution.

Third, speaking generally, 9-1-i likes to verify calls. This is why Echo Connect is the only option currently supporting such calls. Your dispatch eye will prioritize or de-prioritize a call based on their ability to verify an emergency. If you're using one of the skills, Echo isn't being used as a microphone during calls. Not only volition yous need to be inside range of your Echo device, but you will besides need to be within yelling altitude of your smartphone. If you call 9-ane-1 and don't say anything or they tin can't hear you, the call will be treated differently based upon their policy, which differs from center to centre. They might fifty-fifty treat the call as a hangup. That said, using a trusted loved one as a contact is going to exist more reliable than 9-1-1. Of form, the best option is Echo Connect with a landline or yous tin pay for Noonlight as their monitoring center will call 9-1-one for you.

Fourth, your loved one will have to retrieve the correct phrase for triggering Alexa. This becomes fifty-fifty more difficult in an emergency situation. If you lot choose to use whatsoever of the options mentioned above, we recommend practicing the trigger phrase often or even printing it out and placing it on the fridge so that your loved one sees it oft.

Fifth, non only will the person who might trigger Alexa need to do, but so too should the emergency contacts. Make sure that all contacts exercise with yous. We also propose for skills that don't utilise a personalized phone number that you save the generic phone number in your contact list with a clarification such as, "{Name} Emergency."

Finally, as a long-term user of IFTTT, Amazon Echo, and other solutions, nosotros know they don't e'er work. At that place are times when we inquire Alexa to practice things, and she flops. In that location are times when we ask IFTTT to exercise things and it either flops or waits an hour before deciding to take activeness. In fact, IFTTT even warns on their website that there might be delays between request and action.

	Pros	Cons
	Can call by contact name or number significant you could use it to call 911.	The Skill is Rated ii Stars Requires physical interaction with your smartphone unless y'all own Repeat Connect.
	Will call and play a pre-recorded message as defined by y'all.	May be a delay betwixt trigger and phone call. You can but plan one phone number.
	Tin back up upwardly to 10 separate contacts. Customized text messages.	Requires ii-role conversation where you beginning wake Alexa and then provide your text message when prompted. Supports text letters only, no phone calls.
	Tin can alert a specific contact or all contacts. Rated 4.5 stars with over 400 reviews. Sends alerts via text message, e-mail, and phone call. Support for 5 dissever contacts.	Message is not customizable. Complimentary Account Limited to 10 Letters Per Month
	Supports all of your phone'southward contacts. Make vocalism calls and send custom messages. Make vocalism calls, send custom letters, and send texts. With Echo Connect, you tin can call 911	Must sync all of your telephone'due south contacts though you can block contacts. Calls/Letters one contact at a time. Does not work with Amazon Tap, Fire Idiot box, or 3rd-party Alexa devices.
	Access to a 5-Diamond-certified call center. Rated five-stars with 117 reviews.	The call center will call you lot earlier calling for help.
	Call all Skype contacts and some mobile and landline numbers (Skype to Phone). Can brand and receive Skype calls. Direct integration and business relationship linking.	Not for ix-1-1 calls. Doesn't work on third-political party Alexa-enabled devices. Calling phone and landline numbers will price you Skype call minutes

Terminal Thoughts

Using Alexa Calling you lot can brand calls and transport messages to well-nigh numbers in the US, Mexico, and Canada, but you can only contact one person at a fourth dimension.

Using Echo Connect, you lot can call anyone through your Repeat device, even 911. Still, you must purchase an Echo Device, an Echo Connect, and maintain either phone or VoIP service.

Using Skype, you tin phone call your Skype contacts and mobile/landline numbers, but Skype to Telephone will cost you and it's not recommended for making calls to emergency services.

With Ooma, you can brand calls, but you still accept to touch on your telephone unless you own Echo Connect.

With IFTTT, you tin make a call to one phone number, but y'all are reliant on IFTTT's middleman integration.

With AT&T y'all can ship customized text messages, simply you need an AT&T phone with messaging enabled.

With Ask My Buddy yous can send a "help me" message via a phone call, text, and email, but you tin't control what the message says.

With Noonlight, yous will have access to a fundamental monitoring center, but they volition achieve out to you before calling for help.

There are pros and cons specific to each skill and there are cons to consider that affect all of them.

What practice you call up? Practice y'all have a favorite skill that we missed?

Source: https://homealarmreport.com/smart-home/using-amazon-echo-initiate-calls/

Posted by: mullettrivinquister.blogspot.com

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