The smart speaker industry has recently gathered a lot of traction with Apple and Amazon going head-to-head with HomePod and Echo devices, respectively. Google launched its first smart speakers — Google Home and the Google Home Mini — in India two days ago. The Google Home is priced at Rs. 9,999, while the Mini variant…
The smart speaker industry has recently gathered a lot of traction with Apple and Amazon going head-to-head with HomePod and Echo devices, respectively. Google launched its first smart speakers — Google Home and the Google Home Mini — in India two days ago.
The Google Home is priced at Rs. 9,999, while the Mini variant of the speaker is priced in at Rs. 4,499. Music can be streamed to these speakers through Google Play Music, Saavn, YouTube, and Gaana. While Google hasn’t launched the Google Max in India yet, Amazon have already taken steps to counter Google’s entry into India’s smart speaker market.
Amazon has been successfully selling its smart speakers in India for a while now. However, with Google’s entry into the market, it has temporarily slashed prices of its Echo speakers in order to keep the momentum going. The prices of Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are Rs.9,999 and Rs.4,499, respectively. A discount of Rs. 1,000 can be availed on purchasing two Amazon Echo Dots and a discount of Rs. 3.000 can be availed on purchasing two Amazon Echo speakers. This puts Amazon’s product pricing on par with that of the Google Home and the Google Home Mini, respectively. However, the offer is only for a limited time, with the window being between the 6th of April 2018 to the 12th of April 2018. There is no change in the price of Amazon Echo Plus, which still stands at Rs. 14,999.
Both Echo and Echo Dot speakers can be purchased through Amazon’s website and the discount is automatically applied at checkout when purchasing two sets of either the Echo or the Echo Dot, with no promo code needed to be applied for availing the discount. Only the purchases made from “Cloud Connect SLP” or “Estore mall” sellers are eligible for this discount offer.
Amazon’s smart speaker products have been making waves since their launch back in October 2017. However, back then, the speakers were available only through the company’s invitation. Now, all three devices are available for purchase without a need for any invitation. The launch price included a 30% discount and a free Amazon Prime Membership, which is worth Rs. 999 per year. These offers, were purely introductory in nature and Amazon had subsequently discontinued them with all three products to be purchased for full price without any add-ons or freebies. However, this new discount seems to offer the perfect chance to get the speakers at the lowest prices.
During the launch, all three variants of the Echo had limited functionality in India. However, they have now received over 12,000 skills which are specific to the Indian market. These skills will improve the overall functionality and usability of Amazon Echo speakers in India. Apart from streaming music wirelessly, Amazon’s Echo range of products can be used for a multitude of tasks like shopping from Amazon.in, controlling smart home devices, setting reminders or creating shopping lists, searching for answers and content online, and voice calling as well as messaging. Alexa, which is Amazon’s artificial intelligence-backed digital voice assistant in the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus devices, and it can be activated through a voice command ‘Hey Alexa’. Amazon is continually working towards adding more skills and content specific to India.
Google is yet to implement customised skills for Google Home. However, it is expected that the internet search giant will soon implement skills to rival Echo products. Google’s integration of famous platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Saavn is likely to be its major USP. Both Google Home and Google Home Mini would be made available online (their exclusive online partner is Flipkart).
The introductory offer also includes bundling a free Reliance Jio Wi-Fi router with the speakers. If you want to buy it through offline stores, the smart speakers can be purchased through Reliance Digital, and the customers would be entitled to a free Jio Wi-Fi router. This limited time offer lasts only till the 30th of April, 2018.
