Amazon wants to make it safer and easier to use your phone while you’re in the car. Today, it’s introducing Auto Mode in the Alexa App. The feature turns your phone into a “driver-friendly” display with large touch targets and easy-to-read visuals.
When used with Alexa auto accessories like the Echo Auto, Amazon says. As well as offering access to Alexa’s typical voice commands, it includes large touchscreen icons that provide access to features like directions, music playback, and making calls. Amazon says the mode will be available in the Alexa app on iOS and Android in the coming weeks “when paired to an Echo Auto or other supported Alexa Auto accessories.”
The driving-focused mode consists of four screens. There’s a Navigation screen which provides shortcuts to favorite locations and will link out to your default navigation app for directions.
Meanwhile, the Communicate screen gives shortcuts to place calls, Drop In, or make announcements from other Alexa devices helpful for letting your family know you’re on the way home, Amazon says. The Play screen gives access to media playback. Finally, the Home screen provides shortcuts to frequently used actions.
Auto Mode is rolling out on Android and iOS devices in the coming weeks, and it will be available in the US, UK and Canada, as well as Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, New Zealand and Spain.
Amazon is also launching a new “start my commute” feature in the US. Through Alexa-enabled devices like Echo Auto, Amazon will provide weather and traffic updates and ask if you’d like to listen to music or an audiobook, catch up on news or play a car-friendly game. When the feature arrives in the next couple of weeks, you’ll be able to customize your commute in the Alexa app.
