In recent years, smart speakers with built in voice assistants have become increasingly more popular. These gadgets are now synonymous with smart homes and even function as a command hub that links other smart products. Since its booming period, the market for such gadgets has settled down with a few key players holding the major market share. Now, Samsung aims to disrupt the standings by offerings its own smart speaker, which will be the second one the South Korean tech giant has developed.

Samsung Galaxy Mini, as the name suggests, is a miniature variant of the Galaxy Home smart speaker that was originally announced back in August of 2018. However, the Galaxy Home was never launched commercially and was set back numerous times. Thus, it can be said that Samsung has arrived two years late but is finally launching its very own smart speakers.

One of the unique functions that the Galaxy Home Mini offers is an IR function, through which one can control old appliances that can’t be connected to the internet via WiFi. In other words, users can access these old TV’s or other entertainment systems through Samsung’s smart speaker if it’s within the line of sight.

Furthermore, Samsung Galaxy Home Mini also boasts other features like an AKG speaker, smart home connectivity, and will arrive with Bixby voice assistant. Notably, all of these technologies are owned by Samsung through previous acquisitions, so the company is sourcing its products internally through its subsidiary’s. Although, it remains to be seen whether people would prefer the Samsung smart speaker over the popular Amazon Alexa and Google Nest Home series.

Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy Home Mini on 12th February 2020 and will be initially released in South Korea. The device carries a price tag of 99,000KRW which roughly translates to 83 US Dollars. Unfortunately, it is unknown if the company has future plans on releasing the smart speaker in other markets, but if the gadget succeeds it will most likely see its way overseas soon after.

 

(Via)