Amazon Echo devices are now available in India, Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Plus: Which should you buy?

A few days ago, Amazon India has brought their Alexa enabled smart speakers in India. Amazon is now taking the pre-orders for the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and the Echo Plus in the country. In order to grab one, you need an invitation from Amazon India. Because of the huge demand, they are now accepting the orders through invite system only. But don’t worry, it is very easy to grab one now.

Amazon is offering 30% discount for all Echo devices in India as an introductory offer. During this offer period, you can buy one with a discounted price. But before that, you need to choose which one you want to grab. You might be confused between Echo Dot, Echo, and the Echo Plus. They differ in many things, it includes pricing, features, size and more. So if you are one who is confused between these devices, make use of this article.

What is Amazon Alexa?

Well, this is the basic thing about this game. Amazon Alexa is the main thing that makes the Echo devices more special and popular. You are already aware of the digital assistants such as Microsoft Cortana, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant. Alexa is just another new generation digital assistant from Amazon. Alexa helps you stay updated throughout the day with instant alerts, assistances, shopping helps, music listening and book reading. In addition to these, Alexa has the capability to control your smart home devices. That means, with some smart bulbs or appliances, you can operate them with your Alexa enabled device.

Just say “Alexa, turn on the dining room light” Woah, it happens. Just like a personal assistant, it controls your smart home devices. You can also try other commands such as “Alexa, book an uber ride for me”, “Alexa, add coffee beans to my shopping list” etc. So that, it works just like a human assistant. Imagine a world like Tony Stark’s apartment and his Jarvis. I am sure, you will love it.

What Amazon Echo device available in India?

We’ve just talked about the Amazon Alexa and its capabilities. But, we never mentioned how you can use it. Here comes the new generation series of smart devices from the tech giant Amazon. Echo devices are Amazon’s smart devices that come pre-loaded with Alexa. So, if the Echo devices come with Alexa integrated to it. In simple words, Echo devices are just some wireless speakers with some smart functionalities. These smart speakers can be used by connecting with the voice-controlled Alexa and you can convert your room to Tony Stark’s apartment.

Echo devices weren’t available in India. Now, the company has introduced the devices in the country. But they differ from the first generation Echo devices. Anyways, there are three types of Echo devices, they are Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and the Echo Plus. The Echo Dot and Echo Plus are same as in other countries, but the Echo is a new generation one.

Where and how to buy Amazon Echo devices in India

The first generation Echo was initially limited to Amazon Prime members or by invitation but became widely available in the United States on June 23, 2015. Press speculated that it would make its Canadian debut in mid-to-late 2016, after Amazon posted job listings for developers for Alexa and co-hosted a hackathon in Toronto. The Echo became available in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2016. Additionally, the Alexa voice service is available to be added to other devices and other companies’ devices and services are encouraged to connect to it. Now, there are so many apps and services are available for Echo devices.

Amazon has teamed up with several service providers in India, including the likes of NDTV, Times of India, Zomato, Saavn, Ola, Uber, Freshmenu, Byju, Sportskeeda, Cricinfo, Jet Airways, Hue, Syska LED, and more. For instance, you can say, “Hey Alexa, ask Uber to book a cab,” and the assistant will do just that.

How to Buy Amazon Echo in India

This is the second generation Echo device. Unlike the first generation Echo device, it has a lot more improvements and new features. Amazon Echo has a 2.5” downward-firing woofer and 0.6” tweeter powered by Dolby to deliver crisp vocals and dynamic bass throughout the room. Just ask Alexa to play music from Amazon Prime Music, Saavn or TuneIn. With Amazon Prime Music, you can search by your favorite artist, song, genre, album, mood, decade, or let Alexa pick the music for you.

Amazon Echo has an array of seven microphones that use beam-forming technology and enhanced noise cancellation. This allows Echo to hear you from across the room, even in noisy environments, or while playing music. When you want to use Echo, simply say the wake word “Alexa” and it responds instantly.

Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from your mobile device to Echo or from Echo to your Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Hands-free voice control is not supported for Mac OS X devices. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported. In simple words, Amazon Echo is a standard device in the Echo series.

The pricing of Amazon Echo Plus in India is Rs. 9,999, but during this promotional period you can grab it for just Rs. 6,999. 

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How to buy Amazon Echo Dot in India

Well, if you are on a limited budget, this is the device that you should grab. Echo Dot is the smaller version of the Amazon Echo. It has the same features as compared to the standard Echo, despite its speaker difference.

The sleek and compact design makes Echo Dot a convenient addition to any room in the house. With its built-in speaker, you can place Dot in the bedroom and use it as a smart alarm clock that can also turn off your lights. Or use Dot in the kitchen to easily set timers and shop for millions of Amazon products using just your voice. But it doesn’t have a woofer, only the tweeter. So that, you won’t hear much bass from this device. If you are okay with it, it is a value for money device.

Echo Dot can also connect to other speakers using a 3.5 mm stereo cable or Bluetooth to add voice control to your home stereo system. Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from your mobile device to Echo Dot or from Echo Dot to your Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Hands-free voice control is not supported for Mac OS X devices. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported.

The pricing of Amazon Echo Plus in India is Rs. 4,449, but during this promotional period you can grab it for just Rs. 3,149. 

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How to Buy Amazon Echo Plus in India

This is the big daddy of the game. Echo Plus is the bigger one in the series. The main thing about this device is its big speakers. It has two big tweeters and one big woofer for your convenience. Also, it comes with a built-in smart home hub.

Echo Plus has a built-in hub that makes connecting to compatible smart home devices easy. Just say “Alexa, discover my devices,” and Echo Plus will automatically discover and set up compatible devices, without the need for additional hubs or apps. This simple set-up works initially with ZigBee products from Philips Hue. Echo Plus also works with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart home devices from SYSKA LED, Oakter, TP-Link and more.

Echo Plus has a 2.5” downward-firing woofer and 0.8” tweeter powered by Dolby to deliver crisp highs, deep bass, and 360° audio to fill your room with music. Just ask Alexa to play music from Amazon Prime Music, Saavn or TuneIn. With Amazon Prime Music, you can search by your favorite artist, song, genre, album, mood, decade, or let Alexa pick the music for you.

Echo Plus has an array of seven microphones that use beam-forming technology and enhanced noise cancellation. This allows Echo Plus to hear you from across the room, even in noisy environments, or while playing music. When you want to use Echo Plus, simply say the wake word “Alexa” and it responds instantly. So if you are planning to use it for louder music listening and more features, it just worth the money. But still, we don’t recommend this to a beginner as it costs some times more than the Echo Dot.

The pricing of Amazon Echo Plus in India is Rs. 14,999, but during this promotional period you can grab it for just Rs. 10,499. 

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Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Plus: Which should you buy in India? – Final words

We hope you are now at a strong decision. If you just want to experience Alexa and smart home features with less importance to louder music experience, you can get the Echo Dot. If you prefer standard features and a good wireless speaker, you can buy the standard Amazon Echo. In case you want to a much better bass and music experience, you can choose the Echo Plus. Echo Plus is very expensive as compared to other models and offers more features. Look at the below image to get an idea about the same.