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Amazon iOS Users Can Now Text Alexa Questions and Requests

gaximus said:
If they would implement this with iMessages for businesses, like Apple and Lowes (And many more I'm sure). Then we wouldn't need to download a separate app. Also we could ask Siri to tell Alexa something, which would be pretty cool.
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I can just see that conversation:

Siri: What would you like to do tonight, Alexa.
Alexa: Same thing I do every night, Siri. Try to take over the world.
Siri: I don’t understand, did you want to look up movies with world in it?
Alexa: ...What?...I didn’t...
 
MacinMan said:
I've tried all the assistants, Google, Siri, Alexa. While I haven't tried a HomePod, I have used Siri from the phone, iPad, or even sometimes the Mac. When I first got into looking for a smart assistant in a Speaker, I started with Alexa, because of having Amazon Prime, and wanting to consolidate all my services into one provider as much as possible. I really like prime, and everything it has to offer. I tried the Google Home, mainly to compare the ecosystem. In the end I settled on Alexa s my main assistant, mainly because of amazon's flexibility and compatibility with third party services, and devices (smart home). I have been able to use my Apple Music trial with Alexa without any problems, but because of Amazon's recent lossless audio streaming within the last year or so, and since I have an Echo Studio, I think that may still be my primary music service, even though Apple Music also has good quality music as well.

As far as the texting feature mentioned in this article, haven't tried it yet. Usually I hear about such new features through the smart home channels I follow on YouTube. This time, I just happened to get notified through MacRumors about the feature. I may give it a try, just for the learning experience. However, I really don't see a real need for it right now. Typically I either speak to Alexa, or, I use routines that are automated to run on their own at certain times such as lighting, and turning the pedestal fan on and off and the lava lamps in the living room via smart plugs, and then the majority of my lights have smart bulbs.
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The NSA, CIA and Jeff Bezos thank you for your contribution.
 
I wanted to add to my above comments, I also have a Chromecast and several other devices with the Google technology built in. Is Siri able to play specified content from specified device like Google can? That's one thing I like about the google ecosystem, though I don't use that part very often. I know Alexa can do that with the FireTV, but I don't have one of those to test, but using the Echo devices for audio services has been been quite reliable.

I did try controlling the Apple TV(s) with Siri from the phone a while back, and playing content from my purchased iTunes content on the TV worked well, but what about 3rd party services and content outside of iTunes?
 
I like this feature. I may want to play some sleep sounds on the Alexa, but my wife is asleep already. This way, I can turn on those sounds without disturbing her by speaking loudly.
 
Why not have Alexa respond like any other vendor/brand offering iMessage integration? “Hey Siri tell Alexa to turn on the kitchen lights”
 
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