Alexa Is Coming to Your Mach-E

[Stang68]

Totally unverified, but I feel like I heard somewhere that it was snapdragon from 2018

Well, given the way any Android phone with a Snapdragon from that time would be chugging now, it makes sense, especially on unoptimized software.

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[Kamuelaflyer]

I wish they would make the Alexa thing a user removable module. If anyone has ever seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, you’ll immediately understand why.

 

[Jimrpa]

Now, if it were Siri, I wouldn't mind. The conversation would go something like:
Jim: "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "Now playing 'Light my Fire' by The Doors"
Jim "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "I found an article about The Doors on Wikipedia. Would you like me to read it?"
Jim "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "I found When You're Strange on Netflix. Should I play it?"
Jim just pushes the garage door button on the visor and sighs in frustration


I cannot stress this enough - I'm an apple fanboy. I do have a brain though.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Now, if it were Siri, I wouldn't mind. The conversation would go something like:
Jim: "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "Now playing 'Light my Fire' by The Doors"
Jim "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "I found an article about The Doors on Wikipedia. Would you like me to read it?"
Jim "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "I found When You're Strange on Netflix. Should I play it?"
Jim just pushes the garage door button on the visor and sighs in frustration


I cannot stress this enough - I'm an apple fanboy. I do have a brain though.

I fail to see the issue here.

 

[JohnnyForensic]

Not sure if this has been announced somewhere else, but Alexa Built-In is coming to your Mach-E. You will be able to speak to her in your car via wake word or PTT button, and it will include control of climate, navigation, and radio systems, in addition to all the normal stuff. Supposed to come from the factory on 2022 vehicles, and available via Power-Up OTA for 2021 vehicles the "first half of 2022". It will be subscription based, includes a complimentary 3-year service period (no pricing info yet). There is also a streaming service tier for Amazon services (Amazon Music, Audible, etc). A 30-day free trial is included for the Ford Streaming services, after that it's $10/15 (USD/CAD) per month. Uses the built-in AT&T cellular module, so it works on the road without a phone or WiFi. You will have to use your Amazon account to activate (or make one).

FYI Alexa Built-In is new, while the FordPass Alexa skill is currently available so you can perform vehicle tasks (such as lock doors) from your current Alexa device.

This appears to have been promised way back in May, finally coming available: https://www.engadget.com/ford-alexa-built-in-120032156.html

This is probably really interesting to people who are firmly entrenched in the Amazon ecosystem, to be honest. I do have a few Alexa devices around the house, and I mostly use them for setting timers and ordering repetitive consumable items from Amazon while I'm in the kitchen. Beyond that though, I'm not one to connect my schedules or all of my home devices; I'm an Apple ecosystem person for that, and CarPlay works fantastically for me as a result.

I'd never integrate Alexa into my MME, but not because I think it's a bad idea; I'm just in a different ecosystem. To me, "more choices are better" fits here well.

 

[JohnnyForensic]

Now, if it were Siri, I wouldn't mind. The conversation would go something like:
Jim: "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "Now playing 'Light my Fire' by The Doors"
Jim "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "I found an article about The Doors on Wikipedia. Would you like me to read it?"
Jim "Hey Siri, Open the garage door"
Siri: "I found When You're Strange on Netflix. Should I play it?"
Jim just pushes the garage door button on the visor and sighs in frustration


I cannot stress this enough - I'm an apple fanboy. I do have a brain though.

I too am an Apple fanboy, and while this made me mad at first blush, I simply have to nod my head in tacit acceptance of the truth.

Last night, I told the HomePod Mini beside my bed, "Hey Siri, play ocean sounds," and she dutifully responded, "Now playing 'Ocean' by Led Zeppelin."

 

[Carsinmyblood]

This is totally so they can list in the on-line brochure as a feature. In real life it'll be as buggy as any other car's voice activated gizmos.

I had to turn my voice eavesdropper off because I listen to podcasts..... Drove me nuts.

 

[mdolan92869]

I too am an Apple fanboy, and while this made me mad at first blush, I simply have to nod my head in tacit acceptance of the truth.

Last night, I told the HomePod Mini beside my bed, "Hey Siri, play ocean sounds," and she dutifully responded, "Now playing 'Ocean' by Led Zeppelin."

I've given up on the ambient sounds on my HomePod. I'd say the same thing, "Play ocean from ambient sounds." Really nice to fall asleep to. It would play every other sound but that one. And each time I'd scream NO a bit louder than the last. Nothing like feeling the veins in your neck bulging at bedtime.

 

[Pushrods&Capacitors]

GT owner: “Alexa, please unlock full power in my GT for more than 5 seconds.”

Alexa: “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

GT owner: “Yeah, me either, Ford only lets me accelerate at full power for 5 seconds, sometimes less.”

Alexa: “……The phone number for the nearest BMW dealership with an i4 M50 in stock is 1-800……”

GT owner: Deep sigh.

 

[will]

I wish they would make the Alexa thing a user removable module. If anyone has ever seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, you’ll immediately understand why.

I literally spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to say ‘no Alexa displayed at the top of my screen’ because I have no intention of using it.

honestly one of the reasons I chose Ford over Volvo was because they didn’t have an Alexa or Google. I have CarPlay and Siri… I’m good, no need to force feed me some other voice assistant.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Google assistant is the best hands down and actually understands your voice to text.

 

[will]

@Ford Motor Company is there a way to disable the Alexa from being on the top of my screen? or in general just decline my free trial?

the Ford website says something about to disable go to connectivity in the car settings, and when I do that there is nothing that jumps out as - get Alexa out of here...

Edit: actual text on Ford website, "To disable Alexa Built-in, go to your in-vehicle Connectivity Settings."

Nada in Connectivity Settings says 'Disable Alexa'

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I also just tried to uninstall Alexa. More unwanted bloat. :/ I wish this was optional for those people who want it and the rest of us could remove it.

 

[2021mustangdan]

Will not use Alexa, happy with the Apple ecosystem

 

[Logal727]

I've given up on the ambient sounds on my HomePod. I'd say the same thing, "Play ocean from ambient sounds." Really nice to fall asleep to. It would play every other sound but that one. And each time I'd scream NO a bit louder than the last. Nothing like feeling the veins in your neck bulging at bedtime.

“Play ocean sounds” works every time for me

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