Amazon Echo, Google Home Update: Amazon And Google Consider Letting Users Make Calls On Devices

Amazon and Google are looking into bringing voice calls to their home devices, the Amazon Echo and Google Home, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. The devices would be used to make or receive calls and could potentially replace the home phone. Google and Amazon might launch the feature this year, but could be delayed due to concerns about privacy, emergency services and telecom regulations. Making and receiving calls on the speakerphone instead of privately like on a smartphone, could also limit the use of the feature. Amazon is considering various options, syncing to the owner's current phone number, call forwarding, or a sole phone number for the Echo.