Amazon will release a portable version of its Echo desktop assistant within weeks in the US, aiming to solidify its position in the growing connected-device space. The new model, codenamed Fox, is similar in size to a beer can, sources have told the Wall Street Journal.
Although the WSJ’s sources did not disclose specific pricing, Fox is expected to cost less than the $180 Echo. It will also be battery-powered and respond to commands by push-button, similar to how Siri works on iOS devices. Otherwise it appears Fox retains many of Echo’s features, just in a smaller form factor.
Despite the Echo’s success, a lot of questions remain surrounding Fox. For example, how does it connect? A good guess would be some kind of tethering to a smartphone or tablet with a data connection via Bluetooth. Echo operates via Wi-Fi but with the Fox being portable, Wi-Fi connectivity is useless outside of your home network or a hotspot.
Another question is its usefulness. Echo gets high marks for its capabilities as a connected-home hub: Fox doesn’t seem like it’s intended for such a use case. And with Siri, Cortana, and Google Now, is there even room for yet another voice-controlled assistant in portable form?
IDG News Service
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