The company is ready to play the smart speaker game with the big boys.
Xiaomi is raring to take on Amazon and Google (and soon, Apple and Facebook as well) in the smart speaker space with the introduction of their own device, the Mi AI Speaker. Positioned as an incredibly cheap alternative to the Amazon Echo and the Google Home, the Mi AI Speaker features a lot of the same functionalities as its already-established rivals. Priced at $44 (~Php 2.2K), $130 cheaper than the standard Amazon Echo package, the Mi AI Speaker is a budget choice for first-time users of the smart speaker gadget.
The MI AI Speaker sports a triple driver layout, with a bottom firing driver and two side units. Six beamforming microphones sit on top of the speaker, allowing for 360-degree audio pickup as well as echo cancellation.
The usual smart speaker features are present in the Mi AI Speaker such as news and weather queries, timer and alarm function, automation of partnered home devices, and a music and podcast player. Xiaomi has also included a phone app to enable users to customize their speaker with plugins and add-ons.
