Android users who utilize Amazon Alexa can now send SMS messages to others. That’s right, real text messages!
Using nothing but your voice, you can tell Alexa which contact to send a text message to. By default, Alexa will use its previously-launched Alexa messaging system if the contact you choose also uses Alexa, but if that message can’t get through, Alexa will automatically send your message via SMS. If you want to skip the Alexa messaging system altogether, just start your phrase with, “Alexa, text… (insert name here).”
According to Amazon, users can get started using this feature by visiting the Conversations tab of the Alexa app, select Contacts, then My Profile. Once there, ensure that Send SMS is enabled.
For the time being, this feature is exclusive to Android, with no word currently about iOS support. This is because Apple doesn’t allow access to third-parties for its Messaging API.
We got an exclusive, folks! Go try it out.
// TechCrunch