Video calls have become clutch this year, and just in time for the holidays, Amazon is launch the ability to make group video and audio calls through Amazon Echo devices.
The group call feature allows up to seven people to join a group call with commands such as, “Alexa, call my family,“Or, Alexa, join my Zoom meeting. Users can create groups, and Once that group is created, any member can start a video or audio call:provided they have a supported device, such as the Echo, Echo Dot or Echo Show. In the US, Amazon is also adding compatibility with Zoom and Amazon Chime, but you need an Echo Show 8.
Amazon also allows for near real-time subtitles for one-on-one video and audio calls, as well as Drop Ins, which is a nice touch. This only applies to Echo Show devices, but is actually a pretty cool feature for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Amazon also allows children with a Fire Kids Edition tablet or a Fire tablet with the Amazon Kids app to make Alexa-to-Alexa voice and video calls – but only with contacts pre-approved by their parents.
Much of this depends on whether your social group has Amazon Echo devices. But, you know it is the gift season, and I’m pretty sure it’s no coincidence that Amazon makes this possible now as an incentive to choose its gadgets over similar competitors. That said, if your family or group of friends is invested in the Alexa ecosystem, this can be a useful alternative to other paid videoconference software, which may save you from having to sit behind a desktop or phone. As an added bonus, according to the Verge, these group conversations have no time limit. This can be good or bad, depending on how long-winded your family video calls are.
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