It's pretty much becoming mandatory for a major tech company to have its own smart speaker, with the current lineup including Amazon Echo (and its siblings) and Google Home, as well as Microsoft Invoke and Apple HomePod (which have been announced but aren't out yet).
You can now add to that list the Xiaomi Mi AI, which has one big advantage over all of them: It's a lot cheaper.
SEE ALSO:Xiaomi and Nokia's new multi-year deal could bring AR and VR tech to allAnnounced by Xiaomi on Wednesday, the Mi AI offers six-microphone 360-degree audio sensing, stereo sound, and the ability to tap into third-party services and stream music, take calls, remind you of important events etc.
Tweet may have been deleted
It all costs only 299 RMB or $45, but there's a caveat: The Mi AI will initially only be available in China with an August launch date.
While for modern smartphones that isn't a total deal breaker, we doubt all (or even most) of Mi AI's functionality will work outside of China, so don't pull your credit cards out just yet.
It is, however, cool to see Xiaomi launch products with premium features that cost a fraction of the price of their western counterparts.
For comparison, Google Home costs $129. Amazon Echo costs $179.99 and Apple's HomePod will retail for $349. Amazon does have a comparably cheap smart speaker, the Echo Dot, which costs $49.99, but the Mi AI has a richer set of features.
TopicsAlexaAmazon EchoXiaomi
(责任编辑：時尚)
Two astronauts just installed a new parking spot on the International Space StationNew space animation shows dust zipping around a cometMeghan Markle's character gets married in 'Suits' before her IRL wedding in May'Guardians' director reveals more details on Groot in 'Infinity War'Tesla's rumored P100D could make Ludicrous mode even more LudicrousAustralian football makes history with first LGBT Pride Game
The rainbow flag took over Melbourne's Etihad Stadium Saturday night in a powerful statement of acce
...[详细]Someone Photoshopped Mark Zuckerberg as Data from 'Star Trek' and it's incredible
This week on the internet, we've collectively ripped Mark Zuckerberg as he attempts to save Facebook
...[详细]'Avengers: Infinity War' and Star
Hey. There are major spoilers ahead, in case the headline didn't make that clear. You should probabl
...[详细]Greenhouse gas concentrations hit highest level in human history
The Earth's atmosphere is more saturated with greenhouse gases now than at any other time in human h
...[详细]Teacher absolutely nails it with new homework policy
The war against homework has begun.
。A massive pile of homework after a long day at school is enough
...[详细]'Star Trek' marks a milestone with the series first female director
The fourth Star Trekmovie in the so-called "Abramsverse" timeline will be directed by S.J. Clarkson.
...[详细]Trump faces defamation charge from Stormy Daniels over "con job" tweet
Donald Trump's Twitter account has, once again, gotten him in some hot water, which should shock abs
...[详细]Watch: 'The Karate Kid' sequel 'Cobra Kai' stars on 'The Today Show'
Everything old is new again. And hey, as it turns out, that's pretty cool and good.。The Karate Kid 。s
...[详细]Plane makes emergency landing after engine rips apart during flight
A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Orlando, Florida, made an emergency landing Saturday morning d
...[详细]New space animation shows dust zipping around a comet
The Rosetta spacecraft chased down the nearly three-mile-long Churyumov–Gerasimenko comet in 2
...[详细]The five guys who climbed Australia's highest mountain, in swimwear
Stop spring cleaning and start your glow up already