Your next Hyundai could always be set to a balmy 72 degrees when you hop into it each morning, thanks to Amazon's Alexa voice service and Hyundai's Blue Link car connectivity platform.
Hyundai added a new skill to Alexa's ever-growing portfolio of capabilities. All it takes is a quick voice request to Alexa to start your car, charge the battery or preset the interior temperature. The internet of things is cool, but man, does it make us all sound super lazy. Alexa's new skill also lets owners lock and unlock the car, flash the lights or sound the horn, as well.
Blue Link offers a variety of services beyond what Alexa can handle, as well. The Blue Link app lets owners locate their cars, call for roadside assistance or even help recover a car if it's been stolen. Blue Link also works with Android Wear and Apple Watch wearables.
Sadly, it doesn't work with every Blue Link-enabled vehicle. The car must come with the second generation of Blue Link. Every 2017 model is covered, including the forthcoming Ioniq, but only certain 2016 models can get in on the fun, including the Genesis, Azera, Tucson, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Veloster and Elantra GT. Three 2015 vehicles also work with Alexa -- the Genesis, Sonata and Azera.
It won't let any old Tom, Dick or Harry activate the vehicle, thankfully. Blue Link requires a PIN for security, and Alexa will prompt users for that PIN upon requesting a specific service. The Blue Link Alexa skill is available today.