The Alexa-powered Amazon Echo smart speaker. (Amazon Photo)

Amazon is working on Alexa-powered devices with voice-activated phone calling capabilities, according to a report from Recode. 

Citing unnamed sources, Recode reports a new device, or line of devices, with phone call capabilities and possibly the ability to communicate with other Alexa devices like an intercom, is in beta testing right now. An announcement could come in the next few months, Recode reports.

Amazon has put plenty of resources behind Alexa, and opened it up to developers to encourage the creation of more voice-activated capabilities, or “skills” in Amazon terms. Alexa now has more than 10,000 skills, a number that has grown 10X since June 2016.

Amazon has an early lead in the voice assistant market, but it faces growing competition from other tech giants including Google and Microsoft. Amazon’s lead is notable in part because it doesn’t have the advantage of launching Alexa on a smartphone yet, in contrast with Apple’s Siri and others.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.