Amazon brings Echo Auto 2 to Germany; the Alexa device for vehicles has been sold in the USA since autumn 2022. In contrast to the first generation Echo Auto (g+), the design has been fundamentally revised. echo car 2 is available at a price of 70 euros. Orders should be shipped today.
The first-generation Echo Auto is housed in a fairly flat rectangular case, while the new model is more rounded in design. Echo Auto 2 has only five instead of eight microphones. Amazon still wants to allow the best possible voice control.
Unlike at home, there is more disruptive ambient noise in the car. For example, the ventilation fan or heavy rain could interfere with driving. But even the typical driving noises should not have a negative impact on the voice control.
Echo Auto 2 cannot be used without a smartphone
Echo Auto has two buttons. With one, the built-in microphones can be deactivated and with the other, Alexa can be activated at the push of a button. There is also an LED signaling that shows when Alexa is active.
The new model also requires a smartphone and uses its mobile internet connection. Because a mobile internet connection is required for the Alexa functions, offline use is not intended. If there are gaps in cellular coverage on routes, Echo Auto 2 will not work properly.
Echo Auto 2 has no battery
In addition, there is still no battery. This means that the device must first be supplied with power via a cable from the vehicle. On short car journeys, it can be annoying to always have to connect cables first. Since the new Echo Auto model is also not permanently integrated in the vehicle, it should not be left in the car when leaving the vehicle to prevent the accessory device from being stolen.
The new Echo Auto model cannot access the vehicle’s control functions either. So it is not a smart extension of the car used. Echo Auto 2 can be connected to the car using either a wired connection or Bluetooth to hear all prompts and music through the vehicle’s entertainment system or car stereo. Otherwise, the small loudspeaker included in the device is used, but it is primarily designed for voice output and not so much for listening to music.
With Echo Auto 2, the usual Alexa functions are available. For Amazon, the focus is primarily on music playback using voice control. For example, Alexa can be used to control smart home devices in your own home. All this is supplemented by navigation functions, whereby the navigation apps of the corresponding smartphones are used.