This new $50 accessory from Anker brings Google Assistant to your car

Today, mobile accessories company Anker announced a new entry into its portfolio of automobile products: the Anker Roav Bolt. Using the Roav Bolt, you can easily use Google Assistant voice commands while you’re behind the wheel.

The Anker Roav Bolt doesn’t work on its own — it actually uses your phone’s Google Assistant, acting as a bridge between your phone and your car. You plug the Bolt into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter port, connect it to your vehicle’s stereo via Bluetooth or an AUX cable, connect your phone, and boom: you’ve got the equivalent of a Google Home in your car.

The advantage to this system is that you can issue the “OK Google” hotword to the Roav Bolt and it will unlock your phone for you, giving you complete hands-free access to various phone features. Using the Bolt, you can do things like make calls, send messages, play music, get directions, set reminders, check your calendar, or hear the latest news, all without ever touching your phone. Just say “OK Google” combined with your command and you’re all set.

Additionally, the Roav Bolt can charge your devices, as it has two built-in USB ports. Anker says the ports are “rapid charging,” but didn’t tell us any specifics.

Finally, another advantage to using the Roav Bolt is that it uses advanced echo canceling technology, so your voice commands are easily heard and understood even with street and car noise surrounding you.

The Anker Roav Bolt will launch at some point in February with a retail price of $50. As with most other Anker products, Amazon will likely be the best place to buy the product.

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