The new Echo Auto is filled with features to finally deliver on the promise of turning a regular car into a smart car without having to pony up for a brand-new vehicle. The new model is much slimmer than its predecessor, with a redesigned backing film to allow for a sturdier placement, but that’s only the beginning. This refresh includes five separate microphones, so you can put it just about anywhere in the interior, and Alexa will still hear you call for assistance, even with ample road noise. Once installed, you have access to the whole Alexa experience. You can use it to ask for emergency roadside assistance, play music, place hands-free calls, navigate to destinations, or even enquire about the definition of ‘persnickety.’ There is also a new Follow Me function that automatically switches any audio you were playing in your home to your car speakers as you get in. The new Echo Auto costs $55, which could pay for itself the first time you run out of gas and need to call for a tow truck. It officially releases later this year.
