BT Digital and Alexa.

[Falkirk01]

I was initially attracted to the BT Digital offering with Alexa voice control but ....

My partner is disabled, wheelchair bound and has very little use of her hands. Alexa voice control is attractive in these circumstances but in order to activate the Alexa facility on BT Digital  you need to press a button!! Nothing unique in this, it's much the same with so-called Alexa enabled TV's. So consequently the option, which could have been so useful for making and receiving calls is, to all intents and purposes, useless for disabled people. One might almost say it discriminates against them. Amazon used to market a device called the Amazon Echo Connect, a rebadged Grandstream product,  which connected an Alexa to a landline without needing to press any buttons and enabled inbound and outbound calling, now discontinued due, I understand, mainly to problems interpreting Caller ID -or possibly it was too useful?

[RIC9380]

Hello, F01.

I too was quick on the uptake of a free DV handset with built-in Alexa.  I don't have dexterity problems but a good friend does and I appreciate how the handset would pose difficulties for your partner.  I've spent a bit of time sussing out the benefits (or otherwise) of it and that handset is now consigned to my bedroom given my current set up in the living room.

The Echo Dot is relatively new to me but is far better at handling commands/requests as you just speak and it does it - most of the time!  I need to investigate more when I get the time but there must be a way to call contacts from the ED.  You'll need the updated Alex App.  Here's some information to get you going (I hope) which I've had to copy and paste as I can't post the link:

"Alexa calling and messaging is available across the Echo family. You can ask Alexa to call or message anyone with a supported Echo device, Fire Tablet or the Alexa App on their smartphone. When you're busy making dinner, just ask Alexa to place a call to Mum or send a quick voice message to a friend. 

Making calls with Alexa is easy. Once you’ve synced your contacts in the Alexa App, just ask Alexa to place a call. With Echo Show or Echo Spot, supported tablets (including Fire Tablets) or the Alexa App, you’ll also be able to make video calls at no additional cost.

Alexa will let you know when someone is calling, by displaying a green light ring on your supported Echo device. You can ask Alexa to answer or ignore the call.

In addition to calling, you can use Alexa to easily send and receive voice messages. Just ask to send a message, then tell Alexa what you’d like to say and she’ll send it.
You’ll hear a chime when you have a new voice message, and a yellow light ring will appear on your supported device. You’ll also be notified in the Alexa App so you can stay in touch wherever you are."

You should get more info about the process by doing a UK Google search for "Alexa Calling and Messaging". 

I hope that this helps.

RIC9380 😊

[Falkirk01]

You will notice there is much talk about making calls and little talk about receiving calls - at least receiving calls from the PSTN. Sure it's possible to  receive calls from your mates if they too have an Alexa but that's about it.

[imjolly]

you should be able to link all your Alexa devices using the Alexa app including the SH2

I can make calls to anyone in my mobile phone contacts using Alexa in DV handset or my DOT even though the people I call do not have Alexa in their home or on their phone