Amazon's Echo devices started out as simple voice assistants, but they've grown to include much more. Now you can place voice calls and send messages to other Echo users. And the new Echo devices, such as the Show, include a screen for even more possibilities like video calling.

Alexa just revealed yet another new trick: you can now send SMS messages to anyone using your Echo. However, it's only available for Android devices at the moment. Apple doesn't let third-party apps use its messaging API, so it's unclear if this will ever come to iOS.

How to Send Text Messages With Alexa

  1. First, check to make sure your Alexa app is up to date. Open the Google Play Store app and slide out the left menu. Tap My apps & games and if you see an update for Amazon Alexa, install it.
  2. Open the Amazon Alexa app on your phone.
  3. Tap the Conversations tab at the bottom of the screen. You'll see a popup with an Ask Alexa to send SMS message. Tap Go to my profile.
  4. If you don't see the above message, tap the Contacts icon in the upper-right corner of the Conversations tab. Then select your name at the top with My Profile.
  5. Finally, enable the Send SMS slider. Confirm the message and you're good to go.

When you want to send a text, say "Alexa, send a text." She'll ask you who the recipient is, then ask you for the message. The recipient will receive your text, plus an attachment with an audio recording of what you said. This makes it easy to get ahold of friends even when your hands are tied; it's much easier than using IFTTT to create canned messages.

Make sure you say "send a text"! If you say "send a message," Alexa will first try to send a message through the Echo messaging instead of SMS.

Will you try texting with Alexa? What are your favorite Echo features? Tell us if you like messaging by voice down in the comments!