Amazon Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition is a wireless battery-powered Echo

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Amazon has launched a new product in its [Echo ecosystem][2] called Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition, and initially it's an exclusive to the Indian market.

This tiny speaker has a built-in 4,800mAh battery, 360-degree sound and functions in exactly the same way as any other Echo device.

Sounds simple enough a concept, but the name is a little long and confusing, to say the least.

That bit that threw us was the "Input" mention. [Amazon's Echo Input][3] is a speaker-less disk that you plug in to an existing audio system or speaker to add Echo functionality to your current non-smart rig. The Input Portable is not that at all. It has a speaker of its own.

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While we doubt anyone will be using the full Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition name at any point, the speaker itself does seem very useful.

The built-in battery can get up to 10 hours of music playback or 11 hours standby, and means you can have an Amazon Echo that's not permanently tethered to a power outlet.

This isn't the first time Amazon has launched a battery-powered smart speaker. In the US there was the Tap, which wasn't particularly popular, and was discontinued without a replacement.

We're unsure if the Echo Input Portable will launch outside India. Currently it's an exclusive, and with the array of [third party Alexa-equipped speakers][5] now available in western markets, it would have stiff competition.

Saying that, with a pre-launch price of R4,999 (around £54/$69) it's certainly not expensive.

It launches officially on 18 December, but pre-orders [are available now][6].

[1]: https://cdn.pocket-lint.com/r/s/748x/assets/images/150314-speakers-news-amazon-echo-input-portable-smart-speaker-edition-is-a-wireless-battery-powered-echo-image1-ahswlwqjcm.jpg?v1
[2]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/buyers-guides/amazon/136952-amazon-echo-vs-echo-2-vs-echo-plus-vs-echo-tap-vs-echo-dot-vs-echo-show-vs-echo-spot
[3]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/reviews/amazon/143243-amazon-echo-input-review
[4]: https://cdn.pocket-lint.com/r/s/660x/assets/images/150314-speakers-news-amazon-echo-input-portable-smart-speaker-edition-is-a-wireless-battery-powered-echo-image2-bu5ewnhsao.jpg
[5]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/buyers-guides/amazon/142414-best-alexa-speakers-amazon-echo-alternatives-and-alexa-powered-smart-speakers-to-buy
[6]: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07YP9WYFN

URL: https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/news/amazon/150314-amazon-echo-input-portable