Alexa setup help

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wratterus

1687 posts

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#275629 1-Sep-2020 16:00

Anyone here use Alexa? I'm trying to help an elderly neighbour with impaired vision setup an Echo Dot to help him with general tasks - checking news, weather, calling people etc.

We've got it going at a basic level, but I don't seem to be able to get it to call 'normal' phone contacts. I was expecting to be able to pair his smartphone to the echo dot using bluetooth or something, and then have him ask 'Alexa, call John Smith' for example. But we get a message that Alexa voice isn't supported or something like that.

I've not had enough time to look into it properly, but the whole setup of it was actually rather difficult, even creating the account wouldn't work in Firefox, and it wouldn't send the verification txt for his account, that sort of thing.

Is there anyone who uses one that could give me a few tips, and maybe what it can and can't do in NZ?

Thanks heaps. 😀

chevrolux

4962 posts

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#2554922 1-Sep-2020 16:07

The "call John smith" feature is just Alexa to Alexa. Im pretty confident it doesn't make actual calls on the national network - stand to be corrected.

Google Assitant running directly on a smartphone obviously does that just fine. But I guess the issue might be finding the smartphone for this user?

I personally just use Alexa for home automation, and shopping lists.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#2554978 1-Sep-2020 16:50

You can't use Echo devices to call people using a smartphone. Alexa outbound calling (call to landline and mobiles for free) is available in the USA and UK only.

You can call Alexa-to-Alexa if you friends have Echo devices and allow it.

You can link a Skype account to Alexa (use the app for that) and then use "Alexa Skype [name]" or "Alexa Skype +64 21 ...]". Note that Skype calls to landline or mobile are not free and you have to have a prepay balance on that account.

If you want to use an Amazon Echo device to place calls using the smartphone plus have all the other functionality just check the Alexa Echo Auto review I've just posted - you could have this at home connected to a smartphone - then you can send SMS, read SMS, place phones calls plus all the other Alexa stuff you can do.