The Echo Input device is now fully available from Amazon, priced at £34.99 in the UK and $34.99 in the US.
Announced as part of Amazon's big Echo refresh in September, the Echo Input is a bit like an Echo Dot but without any type of speaker inside.
Instead, it requires an external speaker for amplification, connecting via a 3.5mm cable or Bluetooth.
It does include far-field microphones though, just like a normal Echo, so essentially adds full Alexa voice compatibility to your existing audio setup.
The device is also available bundled with some third-party speakers, including some from Bose. In that sense, the Echo Input reminds us of Google’s Chromecast Audio, the streaming dongle that plugs into external speakers so that you can stream music to those speakers.
The big difference is that the Echo Input uniquely features mics and a voice assistant as well.
Its price point of £35/$35 is attractive enough for simple Alexa control, but if you do want your Amazon device to answer back directly, even play music itself, you can also get the latest Echo Dot for just £15 more.
