If you live in the Amazon Alexa ecosystem then you might be interested in taking Alexa along with you in your car. I just installed the Echo Auto device in my wife's 2019 Touring to serve as her "voice-assistant co-pilot". She can easily request songs or playlists with Amazon Music, Spotify (it also works with any other Alexa-connected services). She can check traffic on the way home; or make can make phone calls hands-free.
You would say that many of those things, you could already do in a modern/and smart car like the Ascent. That's true but my wife loves the fact that once I set it up, she has no button to push, nothing to turn on, her own favorite music will start to automatically play the minute she gets in her Ascent and starts the engine, picking up the music from when she turned off the engine and left her SUV the last time. If she forgets to turn the lights at home, she could order around and tell Alexa to turn them off (assuming that they are Alexa-enabled). How about remotely locking doors or execute many of the Alexa skills.
Now, beware that the Echo Auto does NOT have a wifi connection but rather "piggybacks" on your Android phone or iPhone data plan via your Alexa phone app. So you'd better have an unlimited data plan with on your cell phone or else it'd be cheaper to forget about this device.
On the other hand, if you do some Google search on "Echo Auto". you will undoubtedly find many many negative reviesws due to the fact that it's a viewed by many as a "redundant" system as many of the tasks could be done through your head unit (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Siri or Google Assistant, ...
Also many complain that Echo Auto cannot change volume. That's true but to me, it's not a real issue as I always adjust the volume using my steering wheel controls. There are other issues people are complaining about but to us they are no big deal.
The regular price for an Echo Auto on Amazon is $50 but they regularly go on sale for half price. I bought mine last week on Amazon for $24.99. So, if you're intterested in getting this device for your Ascent, just a little patience will probably save you $25.
In conclusion, since our home is very "Alexa-centric (as I'm in the process of making my older house smarter and am choosing the Alexa ecosystem to do it), although we only have it for just a week, both my wife and I like the Echo Auto very much, especially at that price point. You can't lose. And ... no more from my wife asking "Dear, did you turn off the lights and lock the door?" And no more me (sheepishly) replying "But I thought you already did it"!
Sweet.
Oh BTW, did I say that the Echo Auto is transferable between cars! Double sweet!
What Can Amazon Echo Auto Do?
As I mentioned earlier, the Echo Auto can stream your music through your Alexa app on your phone (thus using your phone data plan) and pumping the sound through your HK 's 14 speakers!
The voice assistant device can also provide directions, make phone calls, check the news, interface with your calendar, create to-do lists or grocery lists, and much more. You can shop on Amazon, check the weather, check the stock market, get the latest sports scores, or simply ask a random question. Echo Auto will even let you drop in on your family by interfacing with your home Alexa device while you’re away.
While all of the above features are helpful and convenient (though not perfect), Echo Auto can take it to the next level by letting you control your smart home from your car. How about setting your home alarm system, locking your doors, or adjusting your thermostat? Did you forget to close your garage door or turn off a light or the pool filter? Do you wish you could turn off your sprinkler system when it starts raining? With Echo Auto and the right smart home devices, the possibilities are endless.
Do not confuse Amazon Echo Auto with Alexa Auto
With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now available in a majority of cars, Amazon is working with automakers to integrate its voice-controlled Alexa AI technology into a growing number of vehicles. If your car doesn’t come with integrated Alexa Auto, you can buy the Echo Auto device. If you buy a car with integrated Alexa Auto, you don’t need an Echo Auto device. Currently, Amazon has partnered with car companies such as Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Lexus, Lincoln, Mini, and Toyota to have the integrated Alexa Auto. Subaru is not one of them (yet). .
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You would say that many of those things, you could already do in a modern/and smart car like the Ascent. That's true but my wife loves the fact that once I set it up, she has no button to push, nothing to turn on, her own favorite music will start to automatically play the minute she gets in her Ascent and starts the engine, picking up the music from when she turned off the engine and left her SUV the last time. If she forgets to turn the lights at home, she could order around and tell Alexa to turn them off (assuming that they are Alexa-enabled). How about remotely locking doors or execute many of the Alexa skills.
Now, beware that the Echo Auto does NOT have a wifi connection but rather "piggybacks" on your Android phone or iPhone data plan via your Alexa phone app. So you'd better have an unlimited data plan with on your cell phone or else it'd be cheaper to forget about this device.
On the other hand, if you do some Google search on "Echo Auto". you will undoubtedly find many many negative reviesws due to the fact that it's a viewed by many as a "redundant" system as many of the tasks could be done through your head unit (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Siri or Google Assistant, ...
Also many complain that Echo Auto cannot change volume. That's true but to me, it's not a real issue as I always adjust the volume using my steering wheel controls. There are other issues people are complaining about but to us they are no big deal.
The regular price for an Echo Auto on Amazon is $50 but they regularly go on sale for half price. I bought mine last week on Amazon for $24.99. So, if you're intterested in getting this device for your Ascent, just a little patience will probably save you $25.
In conclusion, since our home is very "Alexa-centric (as I'm in the process of making my older house smarter and am choosing the Alexa ecosystem to do it), although we only have it for just a week, both my wife and I like the Echo Auto very much, especially at that price point. You can't lose. And ... no more from my wife asking "Dear, did you turn off the lights and lock the door?" And no more me (sheepishly) replying "But I thought you already did it"!
Sweet.
Oh BTW, did I say that the Echo Auto is transferable between cars! Double sweet!
What Can Amazon Echo Auto Do?
As I mentioned earlier, the Echo Auto can stream your music through your Alexa app on your phone (thus using your phone data plan) and pumping the sound through your HK 's 14 speakers!
The voice assistant device can also provide directions, make phone calls, check the news, interface with your calendar, create to-do lists or grocery lists, and much more. You can shop on Amazon, check the weather, check the stock market, get the latest sports scores, or simply ask a random question. Echo Auto will even let you drop in on your family by interfacing with your home Alexa device while you’re away.
While all of the above features are helpful and convenient (though not perfect), Echo Auto can take it to the next level by letting you control your smart home from your car. How about setting your home alarm system, locking your doors, or adjusting your thermostat? Did you forget to close your garage door or turn off a light or the pool filter? Do you wish you could turn off your sprinkler system when it starts raining? With Echo Auto and the right smart home devices, the possibilities are endless.
Do not confuse Amazon Echo Auto with Alexa Auto
With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now available in a majority of cars, Amazon is working with automakers to integrate its voice-controlled Alexa AI technology into a growing number of vehicles. If your car doesn’t come with integrated Alexa Auto, you can buy the Echo Auto device. If you buy a car with integrated Alexa Auto, you don’t need an Echo Auto device. Currently, Amazon has partnered with car companies such as Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Lexus, Lincoln, Mini, and Toyota to have the integrated Alexa Auto. Subaru is not one of them (yet). .
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