Google News and Update: Amazon Echo Users Can Make Calls, Here’s More!

• comments
• 
• 

Amazon Echo or Google Home speakers may allow users to make calls. Both Google and Amazon have been working on this latest feature that would allow the internet connected speakers to work as phones.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the functionalities might launch some time this year. However, there are several concerns that both Google and Amazon need to overcome before they allow the devices to make calls. These include concerns around privacy, emergency services and telecom involvement.

Users might be uncomfortable having conversations on a device that records their speech. Another concern would be if these devices would allow users to make emergency calls to 911. Whether AT&T and Verizon would play any key roles is also a matter that users need to see.

The biggest issue is whether Google and Amazon see the feature functioning as a voice message app such as Skype. However, it is a matter of time to see whether these devices operate as usual phones replacing landlines.

Interestingly, both Google and Amazon are likely to use VoIP or voice over protocol technology. It is similar to the technology Skype uses. Amazon has already launched its Skype competitor called, Chime. However, the company has been working hard to make the feature work Time reported. This might include Echo having its own phone number or syncing with users present contacts and phone number.

Echo is also considering call forwarding as a feature. However, both Google and Amazon might develop their own call tool as several reports suggest. Telling Echo or Google to make calls is the next step for artificial intelligence backed speakers. Both respond to voice commands such as answer calls, pause or play music and more.

Currently, neither Amazon nor Google has disclosed any date for the latest feature to roll out. As per latest reports, Amazon wouldn't record conversations that many users might worry about. But it would collect the length of the conversation along with dialed numbers.