Xiaomi is likely working on an updated version of the Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker after a listing on the website of Bluetooth SIG revealed a unit of the device that supports Bluetooth 4.2 standard. In contrast, the original Mi AI Speaker only featured the older Bluetooth 4.1 standard. The listing on Bluetooth SIG’s website did not provide additional information about the device, although the speaker may now transmit data more securely with its support of more advanced Bluetooth standard. It is not yet clear how the upcoming device will be called, although there is a possibility that the new product will be named the Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker 2.
While there is little information available about the new speaker from Xiaomi, it will likely ship with the same features as the original Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker. Xiaomi launched the Mi AI Speaker back in July 2017 and it sports six microphones, echo cancellation technologies, and 360-degree audio sensing capabilities. These technologies and hardware allow the device to receive voice commands from any location within the room. Furthermore, users may also control the device using a companion app. The speaker also features two audio drivers, which Xiaomi claims is capable of delivering high-quality audio, and the speaker also supports beamforming, which focuses the sound to the area where the user is located. When it launched, the original Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker featured a plugin that relays calendar reminders and sends notifications from third-party services, and the device can also initiate and receive phone calls. Updates that were deployed several months after the device launched introduced features like Wi-Fi Calling support and improved audio capabilities.
When the device maker launched the Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker, the device shipped with a price tag of $45, and its owners can access the company’s extensive library of digital content, which includes books and music. However, there is no information yet regarding the pricing of the new device. Aside from the Mi AI Speaker, the company also launched the Mi AI Speaker Mini earlier this year. The smaller device sports Xiaomi’s own virtual assistant, and it is also capable of controlling the smart home products manufactured by the Chinese tech firm.
