The unique participant
The unique Echo Auto introduced Alexa to any driver keen to drive round with the voice assistant in tow. It covers a variety of the identical floor its successor does, however going this route additionally means slicing a couple of corners you will need to learn about alongside the best way.
ForRetrofits older vehiclesEasy to entry AlexaBest for Echo ecosystems at homeComes with a vent mountBigger buttonsAgainstWon’t cost a cellphone as fastMore microphones do not yield higher resultsCareful together with your information planLess related for those who use Android Auto
The smaller sequel
Amazon lower its second-gen Echo Auto down for dimension to take up much less house on the sprint, although its direct line to Alexa is meant to talk up once you want it. It’ll hear higher when that point comes, and matches proper in for properties with different Echo gadgets.
ForRetrofits older vehiclesImproved microphones and clarityEasy to speak to AlexaBest for Echo ecosystems at houseSmaller physique is less complicated to mountFaster cellphone chargingAgainstVent mount prices extraBe cautious together with your information planLess related for those who use Android Auto
For Amazon, the Echo Auto is a gateway to plug Alexa into automobiles, bringing its voice assistant into one of many areas individuals spend probably the most time in outdoors the house. While solely a technology aside, these two bear no bodily resemblance, and their respective options and features additionally draw clear distinctions.Amazon Echo Auto (Gen 1) vs. Echo Auto (Gen 2): How are they completely different?Why you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you’ll be able to select the very best for you. Find out extra about how we check.(Image credit score: Amazon)At first look, the obvious distinction is of their respective designs. The first-generation mannequin offered a flatter, pad-style construct extra in keeping with Amazon’s Echo product line on the time it got here out in 2018. Four years later, the second-generation mannequin adopted the same path, given the material cowl that so strongly resembles the present Echo product lineup.Cutting down the Gen 2 mannequin for dimension additionally opens up extra choices in the place to place it. For instance, each fashions can work with an attachment to latch onto an air vent, solely the lighter weight and smaller body of the Gen 2 makes it significantly extra steady as soon as you set it there in comparison with its predecessor. Amazon sells the vent mount individually or as a part of a bundle, so whereas there’s one within the unique, you will not get it within the field with the newer one.Alternatively, you’ll be able to stick the included adhesive onto the sprint and connect both unit to the opposite aspect. You should discover a spot that is not made of soppy plastic, leather-based, or material to make it stick correctly, however there is not any query the adhesive coming with the Gen 2 is stickier. The cables and connections do not differ as a lot besides the Gen 2’s cable does not detach. Each of them comes with a 12V socket adapter for energy, plus a 3.5mm cable to plug into the automobile’s Aux-In port for audio playback to run by way of the automobile stereo.(Image credit score: Amazon)The Echo Auto Gen 1 has an eight-microphone array whereas the Gen 2 has 5. That would point out a serious flaw within the newer mannequin, however that is really not the case as a result of the 2 seize voices effectively, even with typical street noise and home windows down. Amazon claims its personal improved algorithms fill in for the less mics within the Gen 2, but it surely’s laborious to know precisely how they work.Both have the identical mute and Alexa activation buttons, so nothing adjustments there between them. Hands-free entry additionally runs by way of the Bluetooth connection enabled between the system and your Android cellphone. You must run the Alexa app to set it up and make sure the integration works always.Amazon Echo Auto (Gen 1) vs. Echo Auto (Gen 2): How do they work?(Image credit score: Amazon)The principal function for having both system is to entry Alexa hands-free within the automobile. Either Echo Auto mannequin does that, letting you do a number of issues whereas driving. That may embody controlling good house gadgets, making calls, texting, wanting up locations of curiosity, or enjoying music on demand. Regardless of which mannequin is within the automobile, you want the Alexa app in your Android cellphone to not solely arrange the system but additionally facilitate when it may possibly do. That course of isn’t any completely different with both one, solely efficiency and performance may change because of enhancements Amazon made.(Image credit score: Russell Holly / Android Central)The Echo Auto Gen 2 not solely responds sooner, it additionally presents higher name high quality when speaking with others utilizing Echo audio system at house. The mics do a greater job deciphering voices and accents than the earlier mannequin did, which may save a variety of effort and time if it will get issues proper extra typically.There are two different distinctions between them that stand out. While related, the Alexa app has an choice for Roadside Assistance, which could be useful for those who’ve received automobile hassle in an space you are not acquainted with. The different is that it comes with a quick automobile charger to plug in a cellphone through USB-C. The 12V charger on the unique Echo Auto costs at a slower fee.Amazon Echo Auto (Gen 1) vs. Echo Auto (Gen 2): Driving it round(Image credit score: Amazon)The Echo Auto matches greatest with automobiles missing trendy infotainment techniques. If you are already working Android Auto, chances are you’ll not want both of these except you are closely invested within the Alexa and Echo ecosystem. Android Auto provides you Google Assistant hands-free, and it integrates with messaging apps, like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, which the Alexa app does not.You may use each an Echo Auto and Android Auto collectively, although you may solely try this if you actually need entry to Alexa within the automobile. If that is you, the Echo Auto Gen 2 is the higher approach to go for its effectivity and ancillary options. You do should pay further for the vent mount, but it surely’s definitely worth the cash for the flexibility in placement it provides you on a crowded dashboard.
Still speaking
It’s the “OG” Echo Auto, but it surely’s not out of the rotation but, so for those who’d fairly experience with this over one thing newer, you actually can. Some elements will really feel dated by now, however the system will work simply superb once you set it up.
Smaller, softer
With a smaller physique and material cowl, the Echo Auto (2nd Gen) sits idly by to let Alexa sit in shotgun for straightforward entry throughout any drive. Fewer mics, but higher outcomes, imply there’s some energy on this small package deal.