Voice-activated speakers gain traction with tech-savvy Chinese shoppers

Zhang Xiao, 30, a white collar worker in Beijing, goes home after a day's work, sits on the sofa and asks Xiaodu - Baidu's smart speaker - to play something by pop star Jay Chou.

Xiaodu, a product launched in June 2018, hears her command, switches itself on and begins to play Zhang's favorite music.

When she asks what the weather will be like in Beijing tomorrow, the voice-based digital assistant says the temperature will be 20 C and that she will need to wear a coat.