‘Alisa, Call Mom’: Turning Smart Speakers Into Family Phones
Yandex’s smart speakers, once seen merely as music devices, are quickly becoming indispensable communication hubs—connecting families, improving security, and redefining what it means to stay in touch.
Smart Speakers as the New Home Hub
Yandex’s smart speakers, known as Yandex Stations, are undergoing a major transformation. Initially marketed as voice-controlled music players, they’ve evolved into control centers for the smart home. Now, thanks to a collaboration with telecom operator MTS, they can even function as household phones.
The feature rolled out in pilot mode in September 2024 and targets users who prefer speakerphone communication. According to MTS, the majority of their subscribers fall into this category.
The Pilot That Turned Into a Milestone
“According to survey data, 72% of MTS users speak on speakerphone an average of three times a day. That tells us smart speaker calling is a natural fit,” said Maxim Laptev, MTS’s VP of Digital Products, when the feature first launched.
The service has since become a hit. Users have already logged over 4 million minutes of voice calls through Yandex speakers. MTS responded by introducing a full commercial plan, making the feature broadly available—with a few regional exceptions still in progress.
Simple Setup and Solid Security
Setting up calling requires no SIM card—just the 'Home with Alisa' app. All current Yandex speaker models are compatible, excluding Duo Max and Street, though support for TV stations is in development.
Security is central to the service. Users can preselect up to 10 trusted contacts, blocking unsolicited calls and robocallers. Calls can even be made without a smartphone—the speaker remains available even if the phone is powered off or dead.
Future updates may include video calls for screen-equipped devices, pushing the boundaries of traditional home telephony.
Domestic Success With Global Potential
While there's no official timeline for expansion into CIS markets, the technology is export-ready. Yandex Stations are already officially sold in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
Russian telecom providers are highly motivated to embed their services into these devices, given the growing smart home market. By the end of 2024, Yandex had sold 14 million devices featuring Alisa. The assistant itself continues to gain new capabilities, and the latest model—Yandex Station Street—offers mobile voice service for users on the go.
Competing on Features, Winning on Usability
In head-to-head comparisons, Yandex speakers outperform international rivals like Apple HomePod. While the latter is locked into Apple’s ecosystem, Alisa is compatible with a wide range of smart home platforms, either natively or via third-party integrations.
These devices offer intuitive operation, robust performance, and an open architecture—features that have made them leaders in their class. The ability to place voice calls with no phone required only underscores their potential.
A Glimpse Into the Future
Call-enabled smart speakers are just the beginning. Other telecom providers may soon join the project, expanding both the user base and geographic coverage. Feature development is also under way—including the possibility of emergency calling.
This would transform Yandex Stations from convenience gadgets into potentially life-saving tools. The roadmap is clear: a smart speaker that doesn’t just talk but protects and connects.
