Sony releases ‘Multifunctional Light’ as a central device for smart homes

Sony comes with a new, smart lamp: the Multifunctional Light. This addition to Sony’s portfolio of smart home products can be linked to a smartphone or other device with Wi-Fi. The lamp can then be set from the paired device.

The Multifunctional Light uses Toshiba’s LED technology, which allows it to produce a full range of light colours. When paired with a smartphone, for example, it can be set to operate on a timer and also be turned on and off from elsewhere.

The Multifunctional Light must live up to its name with its additional functions and compatibility with other devices. With this, Sony seems to want to position the lamp as a central device for a smart home. The lamp has sensors for movement, brightness, temperature and humidity. The lamp also has room for a memory card, a speaker, a microphone and a remote control with infrared. With this, the device takes over many aspects of the Amazon Echo released in 2014.

With these options, the lamp is able to detect when someone enters the room, and can then turn on the TV and air conditioning, for example. It can also serve as an intercom, and save sound messages and play them back later. It can also play music and control the thermostat, for example. All these options can be set with the application that can be installed on a smartphone.

The lamp will be released in Japan in the first half of 2016 for an unknown price. Sony has not yet announced when it will be released in the rest of the world.