Amazon Echo smart speakers can now control GM vehicles by voice

"Alexa, start my Chevy Bolt!"

Owners of Amazon Echo devices who also happen to own recent vehicles from GM, Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles using the multifunctional smart speaker can now remote start/stop their vehicle's engine or lock/unlock their vehicle using their voice, without the need for keys or  even a smartphone.

GM says that, "starting today, more than 800,000 owners of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles in Canada will be the first in the country to be able to control their vehicles using just their voice. By linking their Owner Center accounts with their Amazon account, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac owners can now enjoy the convenience of the myChevrolet, myBuick, myGMC and myCadillac Alexa skills."

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Amazon's Alexa cloud-based voice service and Echo devices available in Canada

 The voice-assistant space in Canada is about to get more interesting. Amazon has finally brought its Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers and service to Canada which means it is now competing directly with Google Home.

It’s official, Amazon’s cloud-based voice service, Alexa, is now available in Canada along with three Alexa-enabled devices: Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus. The lineup of innovative voice-controlled speakers allows users to experience a new level of convenience and intelligence.

From simply asking Alexa for the temperature, or the news of the day, to controlling your entire home’s lights and locks, Alexa’s capabilities are endless and ever-expanding. You can pre-order your Echo device today at www.amazon.ca/echo. Shipping is expected by December 5, just in time for the Holiday season.

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Amazon's Echo is a standalone voice assistant you can boss around

Got to hand it to Amazon, eh? Days after announcing same-day delivery service for Prime members in Vanvouver and Toronto, they now  revealed a standalone personal assistant.

Echo looks like a speaker but is actually a connected voice assistant like Apple's Siri, Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana. As shown by the cringeworthy ad above, it is triggered by the 'Alexa' word and can be engaged in a number of ways.

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