Alexa has become a household name with Amazon’s personal assistant offering a simple way to check the news, switch on your lights and boom out your favourite playlist via voice commands. The most popular way to access Alexa is via Amazon’s ever-expanding range of Echo smart speakers but now there’s another way to take advantage of this technology.
BT has just announced the launch of its new Advanced Digital Home Phone which doesn’t sound all that thrilling.
However, this call maker now has a nifty trick with the Alexa assistant fully integrated.
That means owners can simply tap the dedicated Alexa button on the handset and then ask their home phone to call contacts, check the weather, adjust the volume, read out the latest news headlines and even stream music. The device can even switch on lights or ramp up the heating.
The new Advanced Digital Home Phone features a large 2.0-inch colour screen and a range of practical accessibility features, including ringer volume boost and large text, as well as a hands-free speaker.
Owners get 240 hours of battery life in standby, 50 meters of indoor wireless range and one-touch access to BT Voicemail.
The handset also works with BT’s Digital Voice home phone service, for crystal-clear HD calling.
Digital Voice also comes with a helpful Call Diversion feature, so if a customer is heading out, they can simply divert calls to a mobile and never miss an important conversation.
BT also says that blocking those annoying nuisance calls is made easier with the handset’s enhanced Call Protect service – customers can simply block any number with one touch of the side button, either when the number is ringing, or while on the phone to the number.
Speaking about the device, Sharon Meadows, Director of Propositions, BT Consumer said, “As our customers’ homes become more connected, we’re bringing our broadband and voice technologies together to improve quality of service, and we’ve collaborated with Amazon to make our latest digital home phone Alexa enabled. During these extraordinary times, a phone call from a friend or family member can make your day, and with our Advanced Digital Home Phone with Alexa built-in, customers can enjoy clearer calls – as well as the convenience and great range of features that Alexa provides.”
This new home phone goes on sale from today, Wednesday, February 10, with prices starting from £44.99.
