Have you noticed that nearly all the car radios with Alexa voice control are single DIN? At CES, Pioneer Electronics and BOSS Audio became two of the first aftermarket car audio companies to win approval from Amazon for embedding Alexa in a multimedia double DIN car radio.
Jensen has also announced a double DIN Alexa deck, but we are not certain it has received certification.
Pioneer’s DMH-W660NEX deck with Alexa built-in is due in March. Alexa is able to control some radio functions in this model (as well as in several new single DIN Pioneer decks). They can change sources and advance track up/down. And because the radio allows over-the-air updates, more radio control can be added in the future.
In addition, Alexa will allow users to shop for products by voice if the user has a Prime account set up to allow one-touch ordering. Alexa can also perform the usual functions of finding music, navigation and general inquiries. It can work along with a hotspot on the user’s phone or other hotspots. And it doesn’t need a button to launch, you simply say “Alexa” and it responds. Suggested retail price for the mechless DMH-W660NEX with 6.8-inch screen and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto wireless is expected to be $600.
BOSS’s double DIN LXA5 will ship at the end of March at $199. It has a 6.2-inch screen, DVD player, USB, steering wheel control, rear camera input, and video output. Again, the user need not push a button to access Alexa, he can just summon the feature by voice alone.
Boss been stepping up!