Amazon Echo Auto
A microphone that connects to your phone and to your car. But, do you need it?
Now that you’ve read about how to improve Alexa and her digital companions in your home, it’s time to find out how to get it working in your car. To that end, Amazon has recently released the Echo Auto which is a simple device, featuring two buttons, a light-strip and eight (count’em) microphones. It promises to hear whatever you’re saying, even in the noisiest vehicle. At only $79 it’s not going to break the bank but, is it worth buying?
The Echo Auto a slight device that weighs only 45g. It connects magnetically to an air-vent mount which is simple to attach. The downside is that it requires USB power from the cigarette lighter and this requires an unsightly cable to be plugged, awkwardly, into its side. Once installed, you can connect it to your car’s stereo via Bluetooth or the included 3.5mm Aux audio cable. Either way, you’ll need to set it up via the Alexa app on your phone first.
If you’re finding that puzzling, you’re not alone. In Australia, we’re well versed in having our phones mounted in front of us on the windscreen. Consequently, the notion of connecting your phone to a separate microphone which then connects to your stereo introduces a middleman whose function isn’t immediately obvious: most phones already connect directly to the car, in the same way that the Echo Auto does. Nonetheless, if you’ve an older car without Bluetooth or you find that your vehicle is too noisy – whether it’s due to noise from road wind or kids – the eight microphones might sound attractive.
If you don’t want Alexa listening to you, you can press a button to stop it. If you don’t feel like raising your voice, the second button will activate Alexa and allow you to talk without the rigmarole of vocally addressing it first. That you can already do all this with the Alexa app on your phone is something we’ll ignore for the rest of this review.
Once up and running you can ask Alexa to potentially do a multitude of things but, for many drivers, this will mean, “Play Music.” Just note that everything streamed will come via your phone’s data plan. Amazon promotes its ability to provide directions but, if you ask for them, the default maps app will open on your phone – and then, only if it’s unlocked. This feels like a critical feature that’s missing. At least the device can tell you what the traffic is like on the way somewhere.
As we’ve seen elsewhere in this feature, you’ll get more out of Alexa the more you put in. However, when compared to a fully functioning Google Assistant that’s tied directly into Google Maps, we find ourselves wondering, ‘What’s the point?” If Alexa runs your life and you’re not happy with how your phone already accesses it in your car, then the Echo Auto might be attractive. However, it requires a smartphone to operate, it’s not compatible with all smartphones (or cars) and if you own a smartphone, you probably won’t need it.
It needs a smartphone to function but if you already have a smartphone the Echo Auto is superfluous.
If Alexa runs your life and you’re not happy with how your phone already accesses it in your car, then the Echo Auto might be attractive.