Amazon’s Echo Input device is available for purchase in Australia today. What is the Echo Input? Think of it as a much thinner Echo Dot, with the external speaker and internal speaker drivers removed.
Echo Input allows people to Alexa-enable existing individual or speaker systems via an AUX 3.5mm audio cable or Bluetooth. It features a four mic array, action button, mic mute button and 1 small LED to indicate activity. The Echo Input aims to be a discreet gadget that doesn’t draw attention.
It can do the key things any other Alexa speaker can do — eg. read the news, play music or audible books and control smart home devices.
The main difference is its small size and that its audio output must be sent to another speaker.
Note that an Echo Dot can already output to existing individual or speaker systems via AUX 3.5mm audio cable or Bluetooth so just comparing specs the Echo Input appears to have size as it’s only key selling point.
We will be checking out the Echo Input over the next few weeks and will try and figure out its selling points over the Dot.
The Echo Input is available now on the Amazon Australia website for $55, and will also be available at JB Hi-Fi stores in the coming days.
