Amazon just launched a $35 box that turns your Echo into a landline phone

Over the next few days, Amazon's Echo smart speakers will get the ability to make phone calls to any number - matching a feature that Google added to its Home speaker several months ago.

However, Amazon is upping the ante with the Echo Connect, a $35 box that's available for preorder today.

The Echo Connect plugs into a standard phone jack on one side, and into your Echo device on the other side. Once it's all set up, your Echo smart speaker becomes a telephone, so you can receive phone calls at your normal phone number, with your normal phone service.

Amazon Senior VP Dave Limp claims that Echo Connect provides an "amazing speaker-phone experience," and that it's compatible with all Echo devices today.