For Canadians who just can’t be without their Amazon Alexa when driving in their car, guiding every aspect of their daily lives, Amazon has finally come to their rescue.
Beginning today, Amazon has announced that Echo Auto is now available to Canadians. Echo Auto is the first Echo device designed for use on the road, giving those interested an easy way to add the power of Alexa on the go.
Amazon Echo Auto
Echo Auto features a custom-designed eight-microphone array which has been designed to account for challenging in-car acoustics, enabling Alexa to hear commands over music, air conditioning and ambient road noise. Powered by your car’s 12V power outlet or integrated USB port, Echo Auto connects to the stereo system through a 3.5 mm audio jack or Bluetooth. (Not all makes and models of vehicle are able to connect to Echo Auto via Bluetooth. For those that cannot, it would plug into the Aux outlet in the vehicle.)
Echo Auto connects to Alexa through the Alexa app on your smartphone, iOS or Android, and uses your existing phone contract to access a range of Alexa features such as music, navigation, calling, and more.
So in other words, keep your chatting to a minimum if you don’t want to burn through your monthly data on your smartphone.
“Customers in Canada tell us they want to take Alexa with them everywhere they go, and we’re delighted to offer them an easy way to add Alexa to the car they already own” said Celine Lee, Alexa Canada Country Manager. “With Echo Auto, they can enjoy the convenience of Alexa on the road, giving them the ability to ask to play music, make calls, continue their audiobook, manage their to do list and more—all just using their voice, and keeping their hands on the wheel.”
With Echo Auto, one can ask Alexa to hear the morning news, listen to an Audible audiobook, get the latest traffic updates, and more. Echo Auto can also set a routine that turns on the lights when you pull into the driveway, set reminders to pick dry cleaning on your way home, control compatible smart home devices, build a shopping list or manage your calendar—all while your eyes stay on the road.
With skills already available in the Alexa Skills Store, users will now be able to take advantage of skill experiences designed specifically for the car like playing road trip games, asking for directions, or check weather and road conditions nearby.
Echo Auto retails for $69.99 CDN and is available through Amazon.ca or Bestbuy.ca.
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