Alexa

AT&T customers can now send texts from an Amazon Echo device

When you’re running around and busy with your hands, Amazon Echo will be able to send out a text for you hands-free (AT&T only).

by
Kevin Raposo
November 17, 2016

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When you’re running around and busy with your hands, Amazon Echo will be able to send out a text for you hands-free (AT&T only).

Amazon’s Echo can do a lot, and now we can add one more thing to the list. Starting Friday, AT&T customers will now be able to send texts right from their Amazon Echo device using Amazon’s Alexa assistant.

If you have an Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Tap anywhere in your house and don’t feel like fumbling with your phone, you can just say “Alexa, have AT&T text” whatever contact you choose to text. You can have up to 10 frequent contacts stored. The only kicker here is that you have to add people to the skill first before having Alexa text people. Meaning, it can’t just text anyone from your contact list.

According to AT&T, they’re claiming to be the first carrier offer this skill to Alexa:

“Amazon Echo is ahead of the curve in terms of voice recognition technology and functionality,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Device and Network Services Marketing. “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.”

At this point, it’s not really clear if Alexa actually reads the text back to you before sending the message out. So be careful when using this new feature. Keep the raunchy stuff to a minimum.

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