Amazon is expected to launch a smaller and portable Echo speaker soon


Amazon had announced Echo, a speaker that also acts as a virtual assistant in November last year. Now according to a Wall Street Journal report, it looks like the company is all set to release a smaller and cheaper version of the Echo smart speaker.

Amazon-Echo

The report said that Amazon is expected to announce a more portable and affordable version of the Echo speaker in coming weeks. The Echo works like Google Now or Siri and helps you with day to day tasks like making a to-do-list, setting reminders and answering basic questions like what is the weather and so on. However, the device needs to be plugged in all the time in order to listen to voice commands. It even plays music and can control lights in the house. The report says that Amazon has pumped up some additional features like integrating Yelp restaurant recommendations, streaming music services and home automation to the Echo speaker.

Code named as “Fox,” the new portable version of the Echo speaker is said to be “designed to fit comfortably in the palm of a user’s hand, like a beer can”, added the report. It is stated that the Echo speaker could sport a similar design to the Beats Pill speaker. Moving on, the new Echo speaker is said to be portable and can be charged on a docking station. However, it will not listen to your commands all the time and users will have to push a button to start the voice recognition. Amazon Echo was available on an invite system for a long time but the device was made available for purchase for everyone in June last year for $179.99. There is no word on the pricing of the new version of the Echo speaker.


Author: Sneha Bokil

Sneha Bokil is a tech enthusiast and is currently using OnePlus 3T but she still treasures her Nokia N70 (M). You can follow her on Twitter @snehabokil and on Google+