How does Sony’s new smart speaker compare with Amazon Echo and Google Home?
Can Sony compete with its more established rivals?
Sony’s new LF-S50G smart speaker is the latest to attempt to challenge the popular Amazon Echo and Google Home.
Like its two rivals, the S50G is powered by an AI virtual assistant – the same Google Assistant as in Google Home.
It promises better sound and is more expensive than its rivals, so how do they compare?
Sony LF-S50G
Google Assistant voice commands using “OK, Google”, able to answer queries, control music and other smart home products
Built-in LED screen to display time
Supports close-range hand gestures – waves to skip track and control volume
Bluetooth and NFC support enables one-touch connection to quickly play audio from a smartphone
Splashproof
Priced at £200
Google Home
Google Assistant voice commands using “OK, Google”, able to answer queries, control music and other smart home products
Far-field voice recognition
Touch controls for volume control and play/pause
Priced at £129
Amazon Echo
Alexa AI-powered, able to answer queries, control music and other smart home products
Light ring to show when active and simple button controls for music and volume
Seven microphones for far-field voice recognition
Priced at £149.99. Also available in compact Echo Dot version for £49.99
