Expanding its voice-enabled capabilities, Amazon is rolling out the Announcements feature across all of Alexa-compatible devices.

Launched in 2018, the feature lets users send a short voice message to Alexa-enabled devices that are part of the same network with a single voice command. Amazon says that Announcements is “available for certified Alexa built-in products to implement and new ones that pass the provided self-tests and certification.” 

Announcements are one-way voice messages that can be sent to Echo speakers so you can say things like “Alexa, tell everybody dinner is ready” or “Alexa, tell Sophia it’s time for school.” Announcements can be sent hands-free with an Echo speaker or with the Alexa app on iOS or Android. Announcements are similar to Broadcasts, a feature with Google’s Nest smart speakers. But Google’s solution enables them to respond. In addition to announcements, Alexa’s Echo speakers can make phone calls and Skype calls, send text messages, and make calls or Drop in with other Amazon Echo speakers.