Ford Assistant vs. Alexa

[RJW]

It will still be several months before I get an S650 Mustang, but I'm trying to learn some things ahead of time. For those of you who have used both the Ford Assistant and Alexa features, I'd like to know which you prefer. What can you do with one that you cannot do with the other? Do you have to have a connectivity subscription from Ford to continue using Alexa, or can it work using your phone's internet connection?

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[LouG]

I can't help. I hate voice control.
I've only just learned to voice text. Bloody marvellous.

 

[GooberDH]

I hate that Alexa is baked-in because the amount of data harvesting from Amazon devices is disturbing. I know my phone is doing the same but if I can have any crumb of control over my privacy I'll take it.

 

[RJW]

I hate that Alexa is baked-in because the amount of data harvesting from Amazon devices is disturbing. I know my phone is doing the same but if I can have any crumb of control over my privacy I'll take it.

Yes, that's the price to pay for activating it. That's why I'm wondering if it delivers any benefits over Ford Assistant. The only potential benefit I have run across in my limited research is that if you have appliances at home that are Alexa-compliant, you can turn them on from your car. I don't have home appliances connected to Alexa, so I wouldn't be able to give a voice command in the car to turn on the oven to 400 degrees, anyway. Also, if you have bought digital music from Amazon, you can tell Alexa to play it for you. I do sometimes buy digital downloads from Amazon, but I download them to my computer, and put the ones I want on the USB flash drives for my cars. So that feature on Alexa would never be used by me. But maybe there are some useful tricks Alexa can do in the car that others have discovered.

 

[Dark Sprite]

“Alexa, do a kickflip”!

I didn't even know the car had Alexa built in, how do you disable it or is it off by default?

 

[Skye]

OP, I do hope you find the services which pair best with your needs.

This post is not to dump on Amazon. I did want to use it to enlighten those not familiar in what they're inviting into their homes and vehicles with these services, Amazon or otherwise.

While I don't think the GOV is kicking in my door and hauling me away today, I do believe these devices and networks are constantly recording anything they hear or view. Alexa saves voice profiles and conversations. Ring continues to operate, even after the subscription is expired or cancelled. Other service providers are doing the same with their networks.

In so many instances, we do not know what data is being saved, how that data is being secured, who has access to it and what are they doing with it.

In addition to that, it's an additional means for someone else to invade your privacy. It's shocking what one person with a few software tools and minutes can accomplish, especially in densely-populated locations which are rich in attack vectors. Most people open the box, turn the device on and use the product. Vendors make it easy, by keeping their systems as open as possible. The wireless frequencies can carry quite far.

I limit myself to the greatest extent when it involves voice, video, cross-platform authentication and wireless connectivity.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litig...s-action-over-alexa-users-privacy-2025-07-07/

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/new...w-keeping-kids-alexa-voice-recordings-forever

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/14/doorbell-cameras-ring-nancy-guthrie-super-bowl

Edit,

When it does come time to turn in your electronic devices, including your vehicles, read-up on how to default those back while wiping your personal information clear. Don't think the person at Best Buy, the recycler or the dealership will do it for you. If anything, it'll be more of, "Hmm. What do we have here?", moment.

https://consumer.ftc.gov/node/76287

https://niada.com/dashboard/persona...ential-risk-to-dealers-who-buy-and-sell-them/

https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/car-byod-risk

 

[Skye]

how do you disable it or is it off by default?

I'm seeing in several other Ford forums, if you press the Alexa button once, a menu will come up with three options:

- Yes, setup
- No, do not setup
- No, and dismiss (delete) icon

I assume they'll act the same in the S650.

 

[RJW]

I'm seeing in several other Ford forums, if you press the Alexa button once, a menu will come up with three options:

- Yes, setup
- No, do not setup
- No, and dismiss (delete) icon

I assume they'll act the same in the S650.

Right, I believe you have to put in your Amazon account info to activate it.

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