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A comment on Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo devices with Alexa Calling. Parent comment

Re:Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo device... by thaumasiotes on Tuesday May 09, 2017 @04:42PM (#14303630)
> I think chat/messaging systems are still missing this explicit "I'm available for a synchronous chat right now" flag.

Seems identical to the long-established distinction between "online" and "away" status.

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Re:Amazon enables free calls and messages on all Echo device... by thinkling on Tuesday May 09, 2017 @05:40PM (#14304020)
I think there's a difference between "I'm available if you need me" (but I'm actually busy doing something right now) and "I'm relaxing and actively interested in chatting". I think that difference does not map well to status modes I've seen in Skype and the like.
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