Engadget Logo Engajet Japanese version Smart Speaker "Echo Auto" Review | Amazon New Life Sale

Amazon has a "new life sale" until 23:59 on March 23."Echo Auto" is on sale for 1500 yen (30%) for 3480 yen.In this article, we will deliver a review of the "Echo Auto" for sale in the past.

Last summer, my car was so many plating opportunities for driving carona, and when I tried to drive for the first time in a long time, the battery was raised.It used to run more than 1000 km a month, but 2020 was about 1000 km a year.

I tried using Amazon's "Echo Auto", which was released in Japan last fall, late.This product is the concept of "Alexa among the cars".I will review its usability.

Echoout (Amazon)

First, to use this "Echo Auto", a smartphone connected to the net is essential.Then, install the "Amazon Alexa" app and make a Bluetooth connection.It does not work alone.

On the other hand, the other Echo series is connected to the Wi-Fi online, and the settings are made with the Alexa app on the smartphone, but this is a major difference in this product because it operates alone.

In addition, the connection to the car audio is connected to a smartphone for Bluetooth, and when connecting a cable with AUX.You can select it according to the function of the car audio you have.

Immediately, I set it on my car.The contents of the product package are USB cables for power supply, cable for AUX connection, air vent mounts that fix the main unit, cigar socket for USB power supply, and instruction manual.

The air vent mount that installs the main unit is a type that is attached to the air conditioner of the air conditioner and cannot be attached depending on the shape.Fortunately, the car was not round, so I attached it, but if it cannot be attached, the fixing method of the body and the air vent is used the magnet, so attach the magnet that matches the size to the dashboard and fix it.There may be.

The instruction manual stated that the main unit was attached horizontally, but the air vent is a fixed angle, so it will be impossible if the dashboard is not inclined in the sedan type.The car is one box and the dashboard is a fliotic type, so the body is inclined.However, it seemed that there was no problem in the operation, and the sound was well aware.

The USB cable for power supply is a bit too short.If there is a distance between the cigar socket and the blower, it will be quite barely.There are engine start buttons and hazard buttons in the surrounding area, so I would like to wire them so that they do not get into it, but it was very difficult.You may want to prepare a separate cable if necessary.

There is no power button, and it starts automatically when connected by a USB power socket and a cable.Start the Alexa app on your smartphone and execute "Add Device".At this time, if you make a Bluetooth connection with the car audio in advance, it will proceed smoothly.My car was compatible with Bluetooth connection, and it was already set for hands -free phones, but in fact it was not enough to set it as it was, so it was necessary to set it separately in Bluetooth audio.I think this area depends on the car audio you use, but if there is no sound, it is a good idea to review the settings around it.

The settings in the app will be fine if you follow the instructions.However, it is recommended that you re -set the GPS from the iOS or Android so that you can always use GPS.The location is not fixed like a normal Echo, but to use it and use it without running each time, so if it is "effective only when the application is started", it will not work well.。

Once the setting is completed, it will be available as soon as possible.If you call it "Alexa", it shines in light bar and shows that it reacts.

The body has eight built -in microphones, so that even in an environment with a lot of noise, the audio can be recognized properly.In fact, I called while driving, but all responded.

I use the Echo series in my home and office, but it recognizes it even if it is quite far away or a little bit faint.I was always interested in the high recognition rate, but this product recognized even with a masked voice with a mask, so it would be at the same level.

Speaking of "Alexa music", it will pick up and play the song from the set music service.Speaking of "Alexa Kraftwork's songs," it will play KRAFTWORK songs randomly.

Also, if you want to hear NHK FM on Alexa Radiko, if you have Radiko skills installed, you can hear the radio according to the location.If you are a premium member, you can hear radio in each region without being limited to the location.When you say "like that," it means "MBS radio", it is hard to "play MBC radio", and you can hear radio other than the Kanto area, but how can MBS radio be heard?

On the other hand, it is not possible to use it like a car navigation system.If you call on "Find a gas station near Alexa", it will list the surrounding gas stations with numbers, but you can not do it with the number and navigate.It seems that there is a service called "Auto Mode" in the United States and other countries, but it is not currently supported in Japan.

You may also think that car audio is enough for music and radio.But only the songs I have in the car audio can be heard.Rasio is also limited to the running area.You should be able to feel the benefits of breaking through the restrictions around that area.

However, it would be fine to just link your smartphone and car audio.If you are iOS "Hey Siri", Android, you can give audio instructions with "OK Google", and you can set "hands -free" settings that respond without tapping Alexa apps, so you will not need this product.

However, for example, with a smartphone in the chest pocket, it did not respond even if I talked while driving.After all, it seems that it is different from using it in a quiet place such as home.In addition, it is unnecessary to take out the smartphone and attach it to the dashboard, so you can sit in the driver's seat and start the engine, and it will be available in a few seconds.There is no need to launch a smartphone app.After driving, you can leave the car as it is.I never forget to remove my smartphone and return to the car again.Of course, if you don't need to charge your smartphone.

In that sense, it is thankful that you can operate voice while driving.Calls and messages can be transmitted by voice, and if you combine it with a remote control that controls home appliances, just call on the verge of returning to Alexa, and open the door at home.The room will welcome you.If you have to pay attention to one thing, you can play music and radio to increase mobile communications.If you do not make a large communication plan, you should get a speed limit immediately.

Operation of smartphones while driving is prohibited.I think there are many people who say while waiting for a traffic light, but there are many cases where you do not notice even if the traffic light changes.Some people are worried about smartphones while driving, so to some extent, so I think it's better to consider installing this product.

The voice recognition function of the car has been around for a long time.It is also mounted on my favorite car.However, the recognition rate was not so good, and the menu structure had to be talked as it was, so it was not possible to use it.However, recently, cars equipped with voice recognition have appeared, and it has been improving usability because it can be done in natural languages.

"Echo Auto" is not the latest car, but a product that is a car with a car audio equipped with Bluetooth and wants to introduce it to people who use Echo at home.

Amazon has a "new life sale" until 23:59 on March 23."Echo Auto" is on sale for 1500 yen (30%) for 3480 yen.

Echoout (Amazon)