By: Frank Engelman | Posted: July 30, 2021 | Updated: April 18, 2023
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The Problem to be Solved
Family Video Call: Too Cramped
When my whole family is here, and we want to have an Alexa call with my Aunt who is now in the nursing home, it’s rather cramped sitting around my phone or even my Echo Show
Although my mom really does enjoy video calls from me on her Echo Show, I have problems getting the rest of my family members interested in Alexa Calling as they are only familiar with Zoom calls. I arranged it so my Mom can Zoom on her big screen TYV. Here is how to do it.
Although my mom really does enjoy video calls from me on her Echo Show, I have problems getting the rest of my family members interested in Alexa Calling as they are only familiar with Zoom calls. This is even after I shared my article on giving Mom a big screen experience on a Fire TV using Alexa Calling.
Is there a way I can get Zoom on my Mom’s TV?
Recently Amazon and Zoom announced support for Zoom meeting on Amazon Fire TV Cube version 2 devices (Ref 1).
Here is my video of Zoom on a large TV in action.
Set Up
Since I had already written an article on using a Fire TV Cube to do Alexa Calling on a TV, I had all the configurations already done. Just follow the set up as explained here.
The only thing left to do was to install the Zoom app on the Fire TV Cube. I found the easiest way to do this was to install it directly from the Amazon Shopping website under “Apps & Games”.
Caption: Using the Amazon Shopping website
Please note that this is NOT the Alexa app that is normally used to configure the Fire TV Cube. Be sure to pick ”Zoom”, not Zoom Cloud Meetings”
After you have installed the Zoom app, I recommend adding a Google Calendar for your loved one, so all they need to say is “Alexa, join the meeting” and “OK”.
This will remove the need to enter meeting IDs or passcodes.
This should make it very easy for your family members who are familiar with Zoom to start making calls with your mom.
Tips & Tricks
You may need to restart the Fire TV Cube after installing the Zoom app.
If you have previously run into difficulty setting up Alexa Calling due to its requirement for your loved one to have a phone number that can receive a text message, you will be happy to know that that is NOT required for Zoom meetings.
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Retired Intel Engineer wanting to share DIY technology tips for the children of parents wanting to remain living independently. I like posting ideas and answering technical questions. If a product or software has an issue making it hard for seniors to use, I try to offer workarounds and also try to contact the manufacturer for solutions. I write a column for this website in the Innovation- Homebrew Solutions & Ideas section
