Deepening its partnership with Amazon[1], Microsoft[2] has announced Skype[3] calling for Alexa[4] devices. The latest move will ultimately let users on Amazon Echo[5] speakers to communicate not just with Alexa but also directly with their friends and family using their voice. There will be an ability to make and receive Skype calls or even make paid SkypeOut calls to most phone numbers around the globe. In the coming future, the Skype team at Microsoft will bring an experience under which users will be able to connect with their contacts using an Xbox One[6] or a mobile device - all using Alexa. The new announcement comes just after Amazon announced the upgraded range of its Echo devices[7] as well as the Alexa-powered AmazonBasics Microwave[8], Echo Wall Clock[9], and Amazon Smart Plug[10].
"Users can make outgoing Skype voice and video calls, accept incoming Skype calls, and even make SkypeOut calls to most phone numbers around the world," wrote[11] Gaurav Sareen, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft in a blog post.
The Skype team didn't reveal any concrete schedule around the calling support on Alexa, though it has said that the new experience "will begin rolling out later this year." The advancement is expected to give another reason to customers to pick an Amazon Echo device against the competition that largely has Google Home[12] models and Apple HomePod[13].
Back in August last year, Amazon and Microsoft announced their partnership[14] that is aimed to closely integrate Alexa and Cortana[15] to take on Apple's Siri[16]...