Just in time for the holiday season, the Amazon Fire TV Cube will add a new feature that allows users to video chat with friends and family.

Over the next few weeks, Amazon is rolling out an update that will allow the Fire TV Cube to connect a webcam, allowing video calls with any Alexa device with a screen, including smartphones, Fire tablets, and smart displays including smartphones, Fire tablets, and smart displays. The details and how to set it up are as follows.

What you need First, you will need a second-generation Fire TV Cube, a webcam, and a USB-to-microUSB adapter to connect the webcam to the Fire TV Cube The Fire TV Cube also needs to be updated; Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK, and US devices in the coming weeks.

Amazon recommends using a webcam that supports UVC with at least 720p, 30fps resolution and recommends sitting 6-10 feet away from the webcam; no more than 12 feet away from a 4K webcam is recommended.

1. Connect the webcam and adapter to the Fire TV Cube and turn on the TV.

2. If the webcam is supported, a notification will appear that the camera can be used.

3. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone. Select the "Devices" tab and select Fire TV Cube.

4. Switch Communications to Enabled to allow messaging, video calls, and voice calls. You can also turn on drop-in here.

5. import your contacts; in the Alexa app, select the Communication tab.

6. next tap the person icon in the upper right corner.

7. press the top right ... Press the menu.

8. Select "Import Contacts".

Once everything is set up, say "Alexa, call Jeff's Echo" to start a call. Both voice and video calls are possible.

When you have an incoming call, the TV will display the caller ID and Alexa will announce the caller's name."

Answer by saying "Alexa, answer.

All calls begin with video turned off. To turn video on, say "Alexa, video on." Alternatively, use the Menu button or the Down button on the remote control. To end the call, say "Alexa, end call."

The availability of the Fire TV Cube is a smart way to expand the device's capabilities and an attractive (and inexpensive) alternative to the $149 Facebook Portal TV. With many of the best webcams sold out since the pandemic began, we're curious to see if we can use a GoPro or other camera as a webcam; we'll try it out and let you know when the Fire TV Cube is updated.