Garmin Speak Car GPS Navigator with Amazon Alexa at $150

Garmin announced a new GPS navigation device to be installed in your car called Garmin Speak and it is characterized by the Amazon Alexa voice assistant.

It is a compact device that can be hooked up to the windshield and equipped with an OLED screen that displays road directions with the help of four arrows (it is not able to provide a complete mapping). Alternatively, the user can take advantage of the built-in speaker to receive turn-by-turn voice prompts. The display is rectangular, although it is enclosed in a circular element along which the multi-colored LED light ring – it becomes green when navigating a turn.

Integration with Alexa allows the user to give voice commands to receive information on weather forecasts, traffic updates, voice activation (via Skill) or remote control of smart devices at home or in the office (lights, thermostats etc.)

The Garmin Speak uses the data connection of your smartphone via the Garmin Speak app to provide Alexa services and help with driving. It is also capable of managing stream music tracks from the smartphone to the car audio system via Bluetooth or AUX input, and can accept or reject incoming calls but cannot be used as a complete replacement for a hands-free calls or text messages because Alexa does not support such functions.

Garmin Speak lets you expand even more functions of the Amazon’s digital assistant, as Ned Curic, Vice President Automotive at Amazon Alexa points out:

“Our vision is that the Alexa service will be everywhere our customers want it, including inside the car. Alexa on the Garmin Speak can help customers with many things, like controlling their smart home from the road, getting news or traffic, listening to Audiobooks, adding items to a shopping list, and ordering dinner with just their voice.”

Garmin Speak price in USA is $149.99 and it can be purchased via Amazon.com.