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Alexa lets you make calls, send messages from your tablet

Using Amazon Alexa and a tablet, you can now make phone and video calls or send messages to anyone with the Alexa app.

Dan Dziedzic Associate editor
Dan has been a professional writer for more than a decade and now specializes in routers and networking devices. Originally from Chicago, IL, Dan studied comedy writing at Second City and worked as a Chicago sports journalist for a number of years. With a background in physics, he spends his spare time learning about the intricacies of the universe.
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Dan Dziedzic
amazon-fire-hd-10-2017-8

Using Hands-Free mode, you can make calls or send messages from the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet without pressing a button.

 David Carnoy/CNET

You can now use Alexa to make free phone/video calls and send messages with some Android, iPad and Amazon Fire tablets . Previously, both parties needed an Amazon Echo speaker to be able to message or chat with each other.

This new feature is activated differently depending which device you have. The Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet just requires you to ask Alexa to make a call. Other Fire tablets, which don't have Hands-Free mode, need you to tap the home button to use the feature. All other tablet users will need to open the Alexa app to make a call or send a message.

Nothing has changed about receiving calls with the Alexa app -- you don't need a tablet or speaker. Using Amazon's Drop In feature, your tablet will act as a two-way radio with any other tablet or Echo device that you authorize.