Sony is usually known to pack its products with the best kind of audio experiences. The company has now come up with a new kind of Speaker called, “LF-S50G.” With this, Sony has entered the smart-home speaker market, riling up competition against Google Home and Amazon Echo among others. The firm announced at IFA, 2017 in Berlin. According to Nikkei, the device will be available in the US in October; the date is not confirmed.
Device features Google's AI
A hands-on review conducted by Tech Radar suggests that the product is very similar to Google Home.
It even comes equipped with Google’s AI “Assistant,” which understands speech and performs activities. The design department is identical to Apple’s HomePod as it sports a cylindrical look covered in mesh. The power port and buttons are located towards the bottom, thereby making it easy for owners to reach out. The speaker also comes with the ability to understand human gestures. For example, a simple clap could command LF-S50G to carry out several functions.
Price, color options, and specs
According to a report by Gadgets 360, Sony feels that its smart home speaker’s sound quality will be the main selling point. To facilitate bass, there’s a subwoofer inside the speaker. To disseminate waves, the company has equipped it with an omnidirectional two-stage diffuser.
Besides offering the basic Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options, the firm has equipped its speaker with NFC pairing as well. The product sports a rugged exterior as it can withstand splashes. Users are provided with the additional option of enabling multi-room audio experience with LF-S50G. Sony has launched two color variants under this category, namely White and Black, at a starting price of $199.99.
The shipping for the same is expected to begin in October.
According to another report by Engadget, Sony also took the wraps off a new line-up of earbuds equipped with noise cancellation technology. The series consists of WF-1000X wireless, WI-1000X for travelers and WH-1000XM2 for the professionals. The WF-1000X wireless sports a 6mm driver and can last up to 9 hours on single charge.
They fall in direct competition with Apple’s AirPods. Other applications to arrive on WF-1000X wireless are Quick Attention mode, Personal NC Optimizer, and the Ambient Sound Mode. The Sony ear pods are tagged along with Quick Charging technology, thereby taking lesser time to top up its battery. Sony unveiled a bunch of other products, including its Xperia XZ1 high-end line-up with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.
