So Amazon announced that they will be releasing a new Echo device Echo Auto. Now being a total lover of my Echo devices, and basically having Alexa control my entire life, I must say that I am overly geeky about the chance to get Alexa in my car without having to buy a whole new audio system.
Now whats even better is that your Echo Auto is compatible with Bluetooth or Auxiliary Input. And for even older cars I would go as far to speculate that you could use one of those old CD to Tape converters in order to use it in your car.
So what does this mean for the average person? Well it means that you can now stream all of your music, audio books, NPR and more directly to your Auto device.
Here's how it works:
Now with the advent of smart locks and other smart devices, you can be driving on your way to your house, have Alexa unlock the door, turn on the lights, set your thermostat and connect to your refrigerator to let you know if you need to stop and get milk on the way home.
Now whats even better is that your Echo Auto is compatible with Bluetooth or Auxiliary Input. And for even older cars I would go as far to speculate that you could use one of those old CD to Tape converters in order to use it in your car.
So what does this mean for the average person? Well it means that you can now stream all of your music, audio books, NPR and more directly to your Auto device.
Here's how it works:
- Connects to Alexa using your phone, is ready in seconds, and plays through your car speakers. Includes Echo Auto Dash Mount.
- With eight microphones designed for in-car acoustics, Echo Auto can hear you over music, A/C, and road noise.
- Use your voice to play music, check the news, open the garage door, find the nearest gas station, and more.
- Play Audible books, stream podcasts, or listen to Amazon Music, Spotify, Sirius XM, or NPR.
- Make calls, set reminders, add items to your shopping and to-do lists, or manage your calendar.
- With over 50,000 skills and counting, Alexa is always getting smarter. Skills are like apps and let you do more with Alexa.
- Set location-based routines—automated actions Alexa can start when you leave the office or get home.
- Ask for directions and Alexa connects to supported apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze on your phone.
| Echo Connect |
Now to me personally this is a HUGE handy feature to have. There are times when I am coming home late at night where I have to log into my Alexa app and give the commands that I want done at my house. Now with Echo Auto, you dont have to even look at your device. You simply say "Alexa, turn on living room light" and you have it done. Also this means not being distracted while driving. You can have Alexa change the Amazon Music playlist or skip a song, text, call or drop in on loved ones and so much more.
| Echo Auto |
The over all body style of the Echo Auto makes me think that they took the failed Echo Connect, streamlined it and are repackaging it. So we'll see what it looks like once it actually comes out. Now what makes this even more interesting, is the fact that Amazon is generating hype about it by doing an "Invite Only" marketing campaign. So making it "exclusive" is one way to make people want something even more, who here remembers when Google did that with GMail (yeah im that old!)
The other thing with their marketing ploy is that they are offering an "invite special", if you get one of the invites, you get the device for $24.99USD vs the $49.99USD that they are going to eventually sell for. However, that being said, with the release date of "later this year" I am going to go out on a limb here and assume that it may end up $24.99 for the holiday sales that Amazon tends to have around Christmas.
Click here to get an Invite
