AT&T on Thursday unveiled a new capability for customers using Amazon’s Echo smart home hub: texting.
Starting tomorrow, the carrier said AT&T customers will be able to send a text message to up to ten frequent contacts using only voice commands given to Alexa, Echo’s virtual assistant. AT&T said it is the first carrier to offer the capability to Amazon Echo users.
“Amazon Echo is ahead of the curve in terms of voice recognition technology and functionality,” AT&T’s Senior Vice President of Device and Network Services Marketing Jeff Bradley said. “AT&T is the first carrier to bring this unique skill to a product already known for innovation. We’re always working to bring simple solutions for our customers to stay in touch. In the tradition of NumberSync, another solution that was introduced at AT&T first, the Send Message Skill gives our customers another easy and convenient way to communicate.”
The new capability tacks one more on to the list of Alexa’s existing repertoire, which also includes the ability to play music and provide information on news, sports scores, and the weather.
The standard Amazon Echo device is currently available for $179, while a pint-sized version – the Echo Dot – can be had for $49.
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