BMW to use Alexa voice control in all models from 2018
Amazon is partnering with German carmaker BMW to make its voice-activated assistant Alexa available in all its 2018 models across the US, the UK and Germany. The technology will enable the car driver and passengers to activate smart home controls or ask for directions, and could give retail giant Amazon a foothold in a market where rivals Apple and Google have already established a firm presence.
Amazon isn't content with Alexa pervading every corner of your home -- now, it's bringing that technology to your car. BMW has announced that it's making Alexa available in all its 2018 model year cars (including the Mini brand) starting in mid-2018 for the US, UK and Germany. You can use the voice assistant for typical Alexa tasks like the news or smart home control, as well as driving-oriented features like navigation or finding businesses. In many instances, voice responses will include relevant "visual cards" on your car's control display.

The move isn't at all shocking: this is Amazon's attempt to claim a foothold in the automotive space before it's too late. Apple and Google already have a strong presence thanks to CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon risked sitting on the sidelines if it didn't announce some major deals. Regional availability could be a problem, however. Alexa isn't an advantage if you can't buy products that use it, so Apple and Google will still have free rein unless Amazon expands access.