Skip to main content

Connect Alexa to your ride with Logitech's smart car mount

Logitech ZeroTouch In-Car Video
Unless you own a high-tech car made in the last several years, chances are you’re missing out on the connected driving experience. Although Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto have tried to bring smart voice control to more cars, those systems are limited to certain makes and models of new cars, and come at a premium in aftermarket audio systems. Luckily, Logitech offers a smart, Bluetooth-enabled mount called the ZeroTouch that promises hands-free, eyes-free voice control for sending texts, navigation, and music playback through Spotify. Now, the ZeroTouch is becoming even smarter with the addition of Amazon’s Alexa personal assistant.

The same commands and requests many drivers might already use at home with their Echo devices are available in the car. Alexa is available to all users through an update to the ZeroTouch app.

Recommended Videos

Logitech says anything Alexa can do elsewhere, it can do through ZeroTouch — and that includes controlling smart home devices. The only difference in functionality is the way Alexa is invoked. Rather than with a wake word, drivers wave a hand in front of their device to call upon the personal assistant — the same way ZeroTouch operated before the update.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

It’s important to note that ZeroTouch is only compatible with Android devices, and that Alexa won’t be able to control the vehicle the same way it can when integrated directly with a car’s infotainment system. Ford, Volkswagen, and Hyundai have all confirmed upcoming vehicles will feature Amazon’s technology, and in those instances, Alexa will be able to do much more, like lock and unlock car doors, start and stop the engine, and order supplies for your vehicle.

As for the mount itself, it comes in two flavors — a vent clip, which retails for $60, and another featuring a suction cup, which can be fitted to the windshield or dashboard, and retails for $80. Both use magnets to attach themselves to smartphones, and have internal batteries designed to last for two years.

Adam Ismail
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Adam’s obsession with tech began at a young age, with a Sega Dreamcast – and he’s been hooked ever since. Previously…
Alexa Show Mode transforms your Lenovo laptop into a hands-free Echo Show
Alexa Show Mode - Lenovo Laptop

Lenovo and Amazon are looking to transform the way you use Alexa on Windows 10 laptops.

Now rolling out to newer ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and Yoga Lenovo laptops is Alexa Show Mode -- an experience that can turn your PC into an Echo Show-like display.

Read more
Got a song you love on your Echo? Alexa users can now share it with friends
Amazon Echo Studio Alexa Smart Speaker

How often are you listening to the radio when a song comes on and you think, "My best friend would love this?" Thanks to Alexa's new music sharing feature, you don't have to try to remember the name of the song. If you're listening to music through Alexa and hear a song you know someone would like, just say "Hey Alexa, share this song with ____."

Provide Alexa with the name of a contact and she will send the song to that person. They can then listen to the music through their own Echo device or through the Alexa app and send a reaction to let you know what they thought of it.

Read more
Alexa can estimate how much electricity smart home devices consume
An Amazon Echo on a table in between a few books and a coffee mug.

A smart home is convenient, but is it energy-efficient? Alexa can now tell you. Today, Amazon rolled out a new feature called the Energy Dashboard. It shows the amount of energy consumed by Alexa-compatible smart home devices. Just open up the Alexa app to see how much energy is used by smart home devices connected to your Alexa system, including smart plugs, switches, water heaters, thermostats, and TVs.

The Energy Dashboard shows not only daily, but also weekly and monthly trends. It's not the same as having an energy monitor installed in your home, but it's definitely a step in the right direction to giving Alexa even more functionality than before.

Read more