Australians can now pre-order Amazon Echo, starting at $49

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 18 January 2018

Australians are now able to pre-order Amazon's Alexa powered line of Echo speakers ahead of launch in early February. Amazon is initially bringing three Echo speakers to Australia: the standard Echo, the Echo Dot, and the Echo Plus.

Much like Google Home, the Amazon Echo is a voice-activated speaker. In addition to playing music, the Echo is able to ask questions, and respond to commands that you issue to Alexa. For example, Alexa is able to provide news updates, answer general questions, play music, interact with smart home equipment, make calls to other Echo owners, and get sport scores. Alexa will also let you place Amazon orders in the future, but for now, Australians will only be able to check on their order status.

Amazon has opened up Alexa to third parties, and it can already hook into services like Uber and Spotify. Locally, Qantas, Energy Australia, Airtasker, Amaysim, Domino's, Taste, Village Cinemas, Qantas, and Westpac have all confirmed they'll have "Skills" ready for launch.

For example, if you're an Amaysim customer, you'll be able to say "Alexa, ask Amaysim how much data I have left" to check your allowance.

The main differences between the three Echo devices launching in Australia are price and sound quality: the more you spend, the better it will sound. The Echo Plus does have one unique feature though; it can directly interface with smart home devices via the Zigbee standard, which can replace the need for a dedicated hub for certain accessories.

To celebrate the launch, Amazon is offering discounted pricing across the range, and further savings for those who buys multiple units. Pricing is as follows:

Echo Dot: $49 for one, $79 for two. Normally $79 for one.
Echo: $119 for one, $199 for two. Normally $149 for one.
Echo Plus: $199 for one. Normally $229 for one.

Amazon says all three speakers will be released on February 1. JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Telstra, and Myer will also start ranging Amazon Echo products in early February.

Amazon's speakers with integrated screens - the Echo Show and Echo Spot - aren't part of the initial launch, but hopefully we'll see them later on.

Amazon will also launch its music streaming service - Amazon Music Unlimited - on February 1, offering new subscribers a 90-day free trial. Following the free trial, Amazon Music Unlimited will be billed at $11.99 for an individual subscription, or $17.99 for a family subscription supporting up to six users.

While Amazon Music Unlimited isn't dissimilar to the likes of Spotify and Apple Music, one of its unique features is tight integration with Alexa and Echo devices.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio