Amazon Echo’s new feature lets you know when you should check your messages
Amazon Echo's newest trick — calling and text via Alexa — may still have some growing to do, but the smart speakers are about to get a new feature that makes keeping up with your messages a little more intuitive.
Expected to roll out soon, Amazon will update its Echo speakers to shine a yellow light when users have a new voice or text message waiting for them.
Besides expanding the color scheme on Amazon's normally monochrome tube, the yellow signal also helps distinguishes unchecked messages from an incoming call.
Originally, a pulsing green light was used for both saved messages and someone calling on the line, causing confusion for some users. From now on, a green light will be reserved for just incoming calls.
Amazon began rolling out calling and text features to its Alexa digital assistant last month, allowing owners with Echos or other devices with the Alexa app to leave messages or ring up contacts with other Alexa users with just a simple voice command.
Alexa-to-Alexa calling is currently available only in the US, with Amazon urging curious international users to stay tuned for further updates.