Amazon to end a special Alexa feature found on some Android phones - PhoneArena

Amazon's Alexa integer helper has proven itself to beryllium a utile tool. But acknowledgment to

the less-than-enthusiastic reception for the Amazon Fire Phone backmost successful 2014, Alexa has been an adjunct without a smartphone to telephone its own. Still, Amazon has worked retired immoderate deals that let users of definite Android phones to activate Alexa utilizing a definite phrase. The integer adjunct tin beryllium activated hands-free from immoderate surface connected these handsets, adjacent the fastener screen. And the Alexa app doesn't adjacent person to beryllium open.

If you ain 1 of these "Alexa Built-In" phones, you mightiness person already received the atrocious news. According to

GeekWire, Amazon is informing owners of these devices that it is shutting down the hands-free Alexa diagnostic connected March 31, 2023. Both iOS and Android users volition inactive beryllium capable to inquire Alexa to grip tasks erstwhile the Alexa app is open. And with the app open, users tin inactive usage Alexa hands-free.

The Alexa app is disposable connected iOS from the

App Store, and for Android devices from the

Play Store.

In confirming the quality astir hands-free Alexa, an Amazon spokesperson said, "We regularly reappraisal our features to guarantee we are investing successful services that volition delight customers, and person decided to suspend enactment for this feature." The spokesperson added that continued income of these models volition beryllium up to the idiosyncratic telephone manufacturers and noted that Amazon is "continuing to put successful the Alexa experience wrong the Alexa app to supply customers with a seamless mode to entree their favourite features and experiences."

While the crushed for Amazon's determination is officially unknown, the institution did accidental that updates to Android could person a antagonistic interaction connected hands-free Alexa adjacent earlier the cut-off date. And that mightiness beryllium a hint arsenic to wherefore Amazon has decided to extremity this diagnostic arsenic it seems acrophobic that

Google volition destruct system-wide microphone entree for the integer helper.

Amazon's website lists the pursuing Android phones arsenic offering Alexa hands-free:

If you person 1 of the supra handsets and usage Alexa hands-free, beryllium prepared to permission the Alexa app unfastened if you privation that diagnostic to proceed to enactment starting adjacent April. Even though the diagnostic volition beryllium chopped disconnected starting connected April 1st, it is nary gag to those who similar Alexa to Google Assistant.