Using the Echo Connect in Canada
Over the past couple of years, Amazon has announced a number of new Echo products including ones with displays and subwoofers. The Amazon Echo Connect lets you connect your home phone to your Alexa-enabled devices.
While the Echo Connect isn’t officially available in Canada, the device still works but with a few workarounds.
Setup
Getting started with the Echo Connect is fairly simple but you’ll need to do a few things first before setting it up. First, you’ll need an Echo device such as the Echo Dot (both 2nd or 3rd Gen), Echo (2nd Gen), Echo Plus (2nd Gen), Echo Show (2nd Gen) or Echo Spot since the Echo Connect is technically a companion device. Then you’ll need to change your Amazon Kindle store account from Canada to the US.
Once you’ve done that, head to the Alexa app on your smartphone. Tap devices, then the plus icon in the top right and tap Add Device. Then tap Amazon Echo under All Devices, and then scroll down to Echo Connect. It’ll then ask you type in your home phone number (since you’ll be plugging in the Echo Connect to your landline or VoIP service).
The app will help you get your Echo Connect connected to Wi-Fi and then to home phone. The actual Echo Connect box has a few lights, one is the power icon letting you know your device is on. The next light is the Wi-Fi light, a solid light indicates that the Echo Connect is connected to Wi-Fi.
The third light lets you know if your Echo Connect is actually connected to the Internet - it’ll be solid white if it is and the light will be off if it isn’t. The last light looks like a phone icon and lets you know if your Echo Connect has been properly connected to your phone line, solid means it’s connected and blinking means slow speed.
If you have issues with connecting your Echo Connect to your phone line (for example, the phone icon blinks even when you are properly plugged in) all you need to do is take a paper clip or SIM ejector tool and press the reset button at the back for 20 seconds. One thing to note is that you can only have one Echo Connect paired to your Amazon account.
Using the Echo Connect
The main feature of the Echo Connect is to be able to dial any number hands-free using your Alexa-enabled devices such as the Echo Dot or Echo Plus.
After you’ve set everything up, you can now say things like, “Alexa, dial 1-877-586-3230” or “Alexa, call mom’s cell”. For incoming calls, you can say “Alexa, answer the phone”.
There can be slight issues with Alexa not hearing a number correctly but Alexa will always say the number you said back to you when dialling out.
Buying the Echo Connect
In the U.S., the Echo Connect can be purchased from Amazon.com. If you’re in Canada, the Echo Connect isn’t officially available here but you can pick one up from Wantboard.
In summary, the Echo Connect is good for those are already in the Echo ecosystem and like having the benefit of hands-free calls via Alexa.
Canadian Compatibility: The only thing you need to worry about making the Echo Connect in Canada is changing your Amazon Kindle store account from Canada to the U.S.
Where to Buy: