Garmin Speak Plus Brings Alexa to GPS Console and Dashcam

Garmin is a seasoned player when it comes to car navigation accessories. But iii months ago, information technology introduced a tiny and circular windshield-mounted gadget which displays plough-by-turn directions and can exist activated via vocalization commands using Amazon Alexa.

The so-called Garmin Speak was received very well for its meaty size and usability and at CES, the GPS company is at present rolling out a new version — Garmin Speak Plus — which adds a dash cam to the existing car gadget.

Garmin Speak Plus Brings Alexa to Car GPS and Dashcam

The Garmin Speak Plus is basically identical to the previous device except that information technology holds a 1080p camera within the same trunk and costs $199 ($50 more than than Garmin Speak). Just like the Speak, the Speak Plus connects to your vehicle'south stereo system using Bluetooth or AUX. The onboard camera is capable of warning you of lane-departure and potential collisions, although we wouldn't recommend relying solely on it.

Apart from the new recording feature, Garmin'southward new device is basically capable of the office as the one-time one. It can perform near all tasks that Amazon Echo or any other 3rd-party speaker with Alexa can. And then if yous come up upwardly new items to add to your shopping list or a new outcome to your calendar, you tin can do so while driving, without having to wait until you go home.

The Garmin Speak and Speak Plus can also be peachy entertainers on long road trips, thanks to their quizzing and joking skills. The devices can too play cyberspace radio or podcasts equally per your control.

Can it really foreclose accidents?

Garmin Speak Plus Brings Alexa to Car GPS and Dashcam

While the ability to record route activity is intriguing, I'thousand more fascinated past Garmin Speak Plus' feature meant for preventing accidents. Amongst that split-2nd mental battle betwixt controlling the vehicle and letting it collide, a delayed (because of Bluetooth latency) alarm is simply likely to cause worse problems.

However, I feel that if Alexa's ability to place such road threats in advance is improved upon, the virtual banana can become a dominating competitor to Google's Android Auto and Apple'southward CarPlay and a key contender in the democratic car segment which is still picking pace. Accessories maker Anker recently showcased a smart car charger which doubles upwards as an Alexa interface.