A new portable combination speaker and dock for the second-generation Amazon Echo Dot cuts the cord so you can move your Dot from room to room.
Ordinarily, you play music directly through the Dot’s internal speaker or connect an external speaker system via Bluetooth or audio cable. You also can’t move the Dot around without unplugging it and some people purchase multiple Dots to use in different areas of their home.
If you have a single Dot, though, and want to use it in different parts of the house, you have to move it from outlet to outlet. But Ninety7Life’s Vaux aims to fix all those problems by turning the Dot into a portable player and voice assistant.
Just place your Dot in the Vaux’s top recess where concealed internal audio and power connectors plug into the Dot. Vaux’s built-in battery gives you the freedom to move the Dot anywhere inside and outside your home, as long as it’s within the range of your Wi-Fi network. The Vaux isn’t waterproof or water-resistant, so make sure it stays dry. You can also plug an external music source such as a smartphone or tablet into a 3.5 mm jack on the back of the Vaux.
The Vaux’s rechargeable battery provides up to six hours of untethered music. The portable speaker/dock combination uses the Dot’s original power cord as a charging cable. Recharging takes five to six hours when the device isn’t in use or eight to 12 hours if you play music at the same time. An LED light on the back shows the current power and charging status.
On Thursday, the Vaux began shipping to pre-orderers, and is available for purchase at Ninety7Life.com for $49. Vaux comes in two colors, Carbon and Ash, and promises to integrate seamlessly into any home’s decor.
“Amazon’s Echo Dot is a phenomenal device. By improving its audio quality and facilitating mobility, Vaux elevates the Dot from gadget to indispensable home companion and allows for a different look than what is currently available in the Amazon family,” said Kevin Brennan, CEO at Ninety7. “Vaux improves communication with Alexa and, with enhanced portability, puts her within speaking distance, anywhere in the home. Vaux unleashes the potential of the Dot.”
Article originally published in March 2017. updated on 04-21-2017 by Lulu Chang: Added news that Vaux has begun shipping.
