This device emerged from Sony’s ‘Life Space UX’ initiative that aims to create novel ubiquitous user experiences.
As the Sony Light Bulb Bluetooth Speaker can be fitted into most existing light fittings, it is implied that you now can get audio streaming in almost any location, ranging from bathrooms to kitchens, garages, bedrooms or just about any place where you may have a light fitting.
There is no need for batteries or extra cables, as lamp sockets already are mains powered and both audio and control information is sent via Bluetooth or NFC.
Currently, LED bulbs are the main alternative for more efficient and environmentally friendly light sources. Most LED bulbs in this class of devices are up to 7W electrical power, resulting in illumination of up to 400 lm.
This is equivalent to a traditional incandescent bulb of approximately 60W. LED bulbs have a far greater lifetime than traditional bulbs, up to 25 years. Sony’s LED Light Bulb Bluetooth Speaker is specified to give you an illumination of 360 lm. At present, it is only available for white light.
For the audio aspects of the device, Sony hasn’t published any detailed data about the device yet. The small loudspeaker diameter of 2” and 2W power means that it has a limited frequency response curve and loudness similar to a small radio. Still, if you happen to have a large and resonant lamp fitting and lampshade, the otherwise almost absent bass may be boosted to an acceptable level.
The Sony Light Bulb Bluetooth Speaker is 61 mm in diameter and is 116 mm long. It weighs 205 g. The electrical power specification is a total of 9W, with 7W for the LED bulb and 2W for audio.
The main advantage of the Sony Light Bulb Bluetooth Speaker is that it can be fitted into any existing E27 lamp socket, or other sockets via an adapter.
Bluetooth audio can be streamed from a smartphone or tablet and both loudness and brightness can be controlled from Sony’s SongPal app, which is available both for iOS and Android. Alternatively, loudness and brightness can be controlled via a dedicated remote control using NFC (near field communication).
Sony launched the LED Light Bulb Bluetooth Speaker in May 2015 in Japan and it is expected to become available elsewhere later this year.
The initial price per device is US$199, which is one hundred times more expensive than the cheapest LED bulbs, but with Sony’s solution you also get the advantage of getting ubiquitous audio.
