Amazon launches Alexa-enabled wireless earbuds in India

Amazon has launched its second-generation Echo Buds in India to tap into the growing demand for truly wireless stereo (TWS) audio products also known as earbuds. According to IDC, India shipped 20.3 million earbuds in 2021 at a growth rate of 74.4% year-on-year (YoY).  

The Echo Buds with USB-C charging will start at ₹11,999 and will be available on Amazon.in. Its wireless charging variant that can be charged with any Qi-certified charging pad will cost ₹13,999. Amazon is offering a limited-period discount of ₹1,000 on both. 

Amazon said that the new Echo Buds offers hands-free access to voice assistant Alexa. Google Assistant and Siri can be accessed by tapping on the device. It is compatible with both Android smartphones and Apple iPhones.  

Also read: Amazon’s new Astro robot puts Alexa on wheels

 Parag Gupta, Country Manager, Amazon Devices India said with the Echo Buds, customers can use Alexa through-out their day, whether at home, walking in the neighbourhood or commuting to work. 

According to industry experts, shift to remote and hybrid work along with growing migration from wired to wireless headphones have been the key drivers for adoption of earbuds in India. 

“Amazon’s earbuds has a feature where I can ask Alexa to move the songs I was listening on my other Echo device to my Echo buds, and it plays exactly from where I left off,” said Gupta. The earbuds also support Active Noise Cancellation, which can shut out ambient noise. Users can switch off the noise cancellation if they don’t want to use it or switch to a Passthrough Mode by asking Alexa. The mode can adjust the amount of ambient sound users want to allow while using it. 

Amazon also said that the new earbuds is IPX4-rated and can withstand sweat, splashes of water, and slight drizzle. The earbuds can muster up to 15 hours of playback from two charges that its case can provide.  

According to Amazon, the new earbuds offer multiple layers of privacy controls. For instance, it allows users to mute the mics with the Alexa app or through the customisable tap controls. This would help address privacy concerns that many users have with regard to products offering smart voice assistants that can listen and respond to audio commands.