After announcing the feature almost two months ago, Skype calling is now available from Amazon Alexa devices. The only supported devices are Amazon’s Echo smart speakers and smart displays.
You can now use Amazon’s Alexa devices to make calls via Microsoft’s Skype service. Announced almost two months ago, the feature will allow users to make both audio and video calls, although the latter will require a camera-enabled device like the Echo Show.
According to Microsoft’s page, the only compatible devices are Amazon’s own first-party devices, and not the myriad third-party Alexa devices that also exist. All Echo devices should work with the service, going all the way back to the first-generation Echo.
This is just the latest sign of a growing partnership between Microsoft and Amazon. In August 2017, the two companies announced that Cortana and Alexa would work together, a feature that debuted a year later. You can control your Xbox One with Alexa now, and there’s even an Alexa app for Windows 10 that can be found in the Microsoft Store.
To activate it, you’ll need to sign into your Skype account through the Alexa app on iOS or Android. You’ll also get 100 minutes of free calls for two months when you link your Skype account to Alexa.
