Amazon launches Echo speakers in India, starting ₹4,499
NEW DELHI: Amazon Inc. on Wednesday launched its popular voice-controlled Amazon Echo line of wireless speakers in India starting at ₹4,499. The product, launched months after Amazon introduced its content-streaming Firetv Stick here, will initially be available on an invite-only basis with shipments starting October 30.
Powered by Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa, Echo is available in three models: besides the entry-level Echo Dot, the range includes the standard Echo priced at ₹9,999 and Echo Plus at ₹14,999. All three models represent the second-generation of Echo that Amazon unveiled in Seattle last week.
Amazon has lined up lucrative offers for early “eligible” buyers in India, the fourth market after the US, the UK and Germany to receive the product. Customers will receive a one-year free subscription of Amazon Prime (which includes access to Amazon Prime Video and next-day delivery on some products bought on Amazon) and a 30% discount on the retail price during the festive season. It did not specify the exact period.
Echo speakers will also be available at Croma, Reliance Digital stores and other offline retailers, the company said.
With Echo, Amazon has introduced Prime Music, its on-demand online music streaming service, which will be made available under a preview offer to Echo buyers. Prime Music will be rolled out over the next few months and come bundled with Amazon Prime subscription.
“We started development on Echo seven years ago. We launched it in a similar manner in the US through invitation three years ago,” said Dave Limp, senior vice-president, Amazon Devices and Services.
Limp leads the devices team for Amazon, and his portfolio includes the Kindle e-book reader, Firetv Stick, Fire Tablet and Echo speaker. The team is based out of offices in Seattle, California and Chennai, and other smaller locations.
Limp said Echo is “incredibly popular” in all the markets it sells in and expects a good response from Indian customers. “I am very excited about the launch and I think it will do well here… When you think about how many Bluetooth speakers have been sold in India and you combine it with something like this and its just 4,499, it’s an incredible combination,” he said.
Unlike most wireless speakers in the market, Amazon Echo is connected to the internet and works on voice input which gives the device a wide range of capabilities. It can answers questions, check the weather, play music, set an alarm and even control smart appliances at home through voice commands.