Today Amazon took the wraps off a battery-powered Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition. Yes, it comes with this long name and is made specifically for India. Despite this initial release, Amazon will likely expand the availability to other markets in the future. As aforementioned, this new Echo speaker packs a 4,800mAh battery. This “feature” allows users to play 10 hours of music without being plugged into the wall. For that reason, users will be able to move the speaker around the house, to places where there isn’t a power plug.
This battery-packed speaker can be controlled with the “Alexa” hotword. According to Amazon’s official information, the speaker can last 11 hours of standby on battery. However, you can always plug it when you’re not using a “portable” way.
Gizchina News of the week
The Amazon Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker edition has its own speakers but lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. It supports Bluetooth connection which allows you to pair it with an external speaker. Moreover, you can use Bluetooth to play music from your smartphone. The speaker natively supports Amazon Prime Music, Apple Music, Gaana and other local services. You’ll need to connect it to your home Wi-Fi and then ask it to play your favorite music or artist.
You can ask about the weather, news and even control smart devices. Every Alexa skill is supported. So, in the end, you can integrate this portable speaker with any of your tasks. The device is available for pre-order at INR 5,000 which represents a 17% discount off the usual price of INR6,000. Amazon will start the shipments by December 18. Considering the late arrival in India, other markets shouldn’t hold the breath for it until 2020.
