Amazon Echo Auto

Amazon Alexa Auto Echo Fail – I bought two of these echo auto series one, model BP39CN. I only used one and kept the other in a cupboard. The first one died, it didn't just fail. Unresponsive and unfixable and I went through all the forums trying trying. It lasted less than 12 months. So I just put the new one in I had in a cupboard and it lasted one month. It died. Completely unresponsive no lights cannot reset it's dead. Fortunately they were only AU $29 each. I'm writing this review because I figure if I was to buy any echo product or any Amazon Alexa product I'd want to check the reviews here first. I didn't in this case, My bad. Of course both were out of their (limited) warranty when they failed. They make a version 2 now, however a phone with the Alexa app on it and Bluetooth to your radio and you've got exactly the same as superfluous auto echo hardware. Why they even manufactured these I have no idea.

Alexa is a great driving companion – I have an older model car with no Bluetooth stereo. I love my car but also enjoy being able to have the modern convenience of virtual assistant. With the help of a aux cable I can now add to my lists, get directions, make calls and send messages from my car. My favourite skill is being able to ask for any song I want (I have Spotify). If I used my phone for this I would have to connect my phone to the aux cable everytime I got into the car not to mention it using phone battery.

Previous review suggests you can't play radio with Alexa which isn't right. You just say "Alexa play...(ie Mix FM)".

Waste of money – I’m sure Amazon has big things planned when they thought about entering the vehicle accessories market, but boy did they fail with this... ok so the biggest error is not adding an onboard speaker. Your vehicle must always be either on Bluetooth or aux mode to hear what is being said. So if you are listening to the radio then you can’t use the echo auto. Second the cords, I like my car to be organised, not with this the two cords hanging down over the dash look terrible, would have been nice if they were a lot longer so they could be hidden under dash panels. Also there is nothing this can do that Siri or any other smart phone AI can’t do it’s just a double up.

Setup was easy though took all of 2 minutes.

Would I recommend it. .... no Am I going to keep it.... no