X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

You can now ask Alexa for help with car-sharing service ReachNow

Sadly, you can't reserve a car using the Alexa skill, but you can do just about everything else.

Andrew Krok Reviews Editor / Cars
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok

Alexa skills can bring additional capabilities to your Amazon Echo . One of its latest skills means BMW 's car-sharing program is just a question or two away.

ReachNow, a car-sharing service stocked exclusively with late-model BMWs and Minis, now has an Alexa skill. It needs to access your address, since car sharing is based on location, but that's the only permission it requires. Starting it up is as easy as saying, "Alexa, start ReachNow."

reachnow-alexa.jpg
Enlarge Image
reachnow-alexa.jpg

"Alexa, I thought the car I reserved would be a bit... bigger."

ReachNow

From there, users can ask Alexa a variety of ReachNow-related questions. Obviously, you can search for available cars in your area, but if you have a specific model in mind, you can ask Alexa how close one is, whether it's a BMW i3 or a Mini Clubman.

The only bummer is that you can't actually reserve the car through the app. The skill only helps you find specific models within a given distance to your house. You'll have to open ReachNow's app to finalize the car reservation, and you can still search for cars using the app as normal. But if you really want to add some voice recognition into the whole process, the Alexa skill is there for you.