INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
One of the most interesting trends in the automotive industry has to do with third-party add-ons
Modders have added new exhaust systems, hoods, and spoilers for years (even decades), but a new crop of tech mods have slowly cropped up,
including rear-view cameras and speakerphones
Recently, I tested one of the best recent tech accessories around, called the Amazon Echo Auto, and for just $30 (it's currently only
features, although maybe that will happen eventually
connection, basic lane-keeping, and excellent gas mileage for a reasonable price, but adding the Echo Auto provided a host of driving aids
that surprised me in their simplicity and usefulness.Easy setupConnecting the device is ultra-simple
You can sync over Bluetooth to your phone first, then connect the Echo Auto to the car stereo using Bluetooth or the included 3.5mm cable.I
chose the cable just to keep things easy
The Echo Auto then attaches to the car vent using an included mount
When you need to access the device, you say 'Alexa' and then ask your question or issue your command
The sound played over the Nissan Versa's stereo.(Image credit: Nissan)I immediately tried a few basic functions
I asked a passenger to accept the notification
I could have used the navigation built-in to the Versa of course, but I prefer using voice
(The Echo Auto only provides audio; it doesn't sync to the display in the car.)(Image credit: Nissan)I was mostly interested in other
functions, I asked Alexa to play a recent podcast from Freakonomics Radio and it worked perfectly
Later, when I jumped back in the car, I asked Alexa to resume that same episode and that also worked
I tested music playback as well, asked about the weather, and even did some research by asking Alexa some questions
(I asked about when 3D printers were invented and it provided some nice info.)Next, I decided to ask about the closest gas stations to my
I was surprised that it worked
When Alexa reminded me that I could ask about phone numbers, it dawned on me that the device is also a great speakerphone for phone calls
I called my wife by asking Alexa to dial the Amazon Show speaker I have at home and that worked
could see where this will help in the future
a way to augment features on the economically priced Nissan Versa, the Echo Auto was a smart and low-cost alternative
Some vehicles, mostly from Ford, work with Alexa on their own without adding any other products
John Brandon, a journalist who's been writing about cars for 12 years, puts a new car and its cutting-edge tech through the paces every week
