amazon is establishing an alexa beachhead in the connected car world, challenging apple and google, both of which offer phone apps for remote services and communicating commands to your car, such as lock and unlock, start the used engine and turn on the climate control.
those other tech giants had a head start, but amazon is rapidly catching up with available alexa connected car "skills" (alexa-speak for apps) from the automakers that let you tell the car what to do via amazon's echo and other alexa voice-controlled devices.
apple and google also have infiltrated the dashboard screen in the car with smartphone-based apple carplay and android auto integration. amazon also has a toe in the water there with, for example, the new ford+alexa and lincoln+alexa systems. they combine an app on your phone with ford's sync applink to provide access to alexa voice capabilities and skills in the vehicle. (you have to pick, however; you can't run carplay or android auto at the same time).
ultimately, we can look forward to cutting the phone tether with these built-in services, making your car a rolling device in the "internet of things." volvo and google, for example, have a deal to embed features like google assistant and google maps into the next-generation volvo infotainment system. bmw is moving to integrate amazon alexa skills into bmw and mini models. driving all of this is potential profit beyond selling devices or cars, such as from subscriptions for connectivity and services as well as from potential ad and retail uses for all the personal data you generate as you use your vehicle.
but for now, the most common amazon connection is home-to-car communication using your alexa devices for things like remote commands as well as accessing information about the car (fuel level, sending a trip destination to the car, etc.). here is a rundown of currently available alexa connected car skills from automakers (get them on amazon here) along with the vehicles that carmakers list as alexa-capable.
a couple of things to note: this is a moving target, with skills and vehicles continually being added (toyota and lexus skills this month, for example), so the list is as currently posted on amazon. also, even if a given model and year is listed by the maker, using the alexa skill at all and the actual services available can depend on the specific vehicle's trim level and optional equipment. it may also require an active subscription to the makers' connected car program. skills available include:
bmw connected
services: can include remote lock, remote climate-control start, check on remaining fuel, check if the windows are closed, upcoming appointments, send trip information to the car, real-time traffic, check on trunk lock and more.
compatible vehicles include: an active bmw assist/connecteddrive subscription is required. the bmw connected skill is optimized for model-year 2014 and newer vehicles, bmw says, with features varying by specific model.
fiat chrysler automobiles uconnect
services: can include remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, activating horn or lights, check fuel level, check tire pressure, check oil life, send trip info to car (requires navigation) and more.
compatible vehicles include: this requires uconnect 3c system with an 8.4-inch display and uconnect access connected services subscription. the vehicles currently include the 2013-17 ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500; 2014-17 jeep grand cherokee; 2014-18 jeep cherokee; and the 2015-17 jeep renegade.
fordpass
services: can include remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, status of last start or lock command, odometer reading, vehicle range, tire pressure and more, including a listing of multiple vehicles and selection of a primary vehicle.
compatible vehicles include: all ford sync connect-equipped vehicles. sync connect is available on specific makes and models of ford vehicles; it's an optional feature and listed on the window sticker. the vehicles currently include (per ford here) 2018 explorer and 2017 escape, f-150, fusion and fusion hybrid. more ford information here.
myford mobile (for plug-in vehicles)
services: can include remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, tire pressure check, odometer reading and more, including listing multiple vehicles and selection of a primary vehicle. also, there are plug-in-specific services such as battery status, vehicle status, and electric and gas (if applicable) range.
compatible vehicles include: requires a myford mobile subscription (five years free). vehicles currently include all ford plug-in hybrids: the c-max energi, fusion energi and focus electric.
genesis
services: include remote lock/unlock, remote start/stop, climate control and more.
compatible vehicles include: requires an active remote package subscription. vehicles include genesis g80 and g90 sedans, plus the 2015-16 hyundai genesis.
hyundai blue link
services: can include remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, climate control, activate horn or lights, remote stop-start charging (if applicable) and more.
compatible vehicles include: requires an active blue link remote package subscription. vehicles currently include all 2017-or-later blue link-equipped hyundai vehicles. earlier vehicles include the 2016 genesis, azera, tucson (limited trim), sonata (se, sport limited, sport 2.0t, limited 2.0t, eco 1.6t), sonata hybrid (with limited ultimate package), sonata plug-in hybrid, veloster (with tech package) and elantra gt (with tech package); and the 2015 genesis, sonata (with navigation) and azera. more hyundai information here.
infiniti connection
services: can include remote lock/unlock and more.
compatible vehicles include: requires an active subscription to infiniti connection. vehicles currently include the 2014-17 qx80 and q70, 2015-16 q70 hybrid, 2014-16 qx60, 2015-16 qx60 hybrid, 2014-15 q50, 2015 q50 hybrid, and 2013 m37, m56, jx35 and qx56. more infiniti information here.
infiniti intouch services
services: can include remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, activate horn or lights and more. features and functions vary by specific vehicle and equipment.
compatible vehicles include: requires an active subscription to infiniti intouch services. vehicles currently include the 2019 qx50, 2016-18 q50 and q50 hybrid, 2017-18 q60 and qx60, and 2018 q70 and qx80. more infiniti information here.
uvo (kia)
services: can include remote lock, remote stop-start, activate horn or lights, climate control, remote stop-start charging and more. features and functions vary by specific vehicle and equipment.
compatible vehicles include: requires active uvo subscription. vehicles currently include 2018 and later niro plug-in hybrids, 2017 and later soul evs, 2017 and later optima plug-in hybrids, and 2016 and later k900s.
lexus
services: remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, fuel level check and more.
compatible vehicles include: requires a lexus enform remote subscription. vehicles currently include all 2016-18 lexus vehicles, as well as the 2015 is (excluding is c models), es (including hybrid with navigation), gs, ls, rc and nx (including hybrid with navigation).
lincoln way
services: can include remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, status of last command start or lock command, odometer reading, vehicle range, tire pressure check and more, including listing of multiple vehicles and selection of primary vehicle.
compatible vehicles include: all 2018 vehicles with the optional lincoln connect feature (excluding the mkt) and on all future vehicles. an embedded modem also is an optional feature on select 2015-17 vehicles and the 2018 mkt. more information on lincoln way here.
mercedes me
services: remote lock, remote start (select 2016 and newer vehicles), manage multiple vehicles, send trip info to car and more, depending on specific vehicle and equipment.
compatible vehicles include: vehicles with an active mercedes me account and active mbrace subscription.
nissanconnect ev
services: for 2011-17 nissan leafs, it includes battery status check, remote start charging, turn on climate control and more. for 2018 nissan leafs, it includes earlier features plus remote lock/unlock, set/check cabin temperature, activate horn and lights, and more.
compatible vehicles include: requires an active subscription to nissanconnect ev or nissanconnect ev & services (2018). vehicles currently include the 2011-18 nissan leaf.
nissanconnect services
services: remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, activate horn, activate lights and more. features and functions vary by specific vehicle and equipment.
compatible vehicles include: nissan models equipped with nissanconnect services and an active subscription. vehicles currently include the 2016-18 altima, 2016-18 maxima, 2017.5-18 murano, 2017-18 pathfinder, 2016-18 rogue, 2017-18 rogue sport, 2016-18 sentra, 2017-18 titan, 2016-18 titan xd, 2017-18 gt-r and 2018 armada.
toyota
services: remote lock/unlock, remote stop-start, fuel level check and more.
compatible vehicles include: requires an active toyota remote services subscription. vehicles include 2018 and later camrys with entune 3.0 plus and the premium audio system (models with a cd player), and 2019 and later avalons.
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