Sony's smart speaker has Google Assistant built-in

Sony is foraying into the voice-controlled smart speaker market with the help of Google, with the Sony LF-S50G, to compete with Amazon Echo, Apple's HomePod and others.

The Sony LF-S50G is equipped with  a 360 degree vertical two-way facing speaker system and serves as the digital hub for your home. It is integrated with Google Assistant (just like Google Home) for hands-free control, and by saying "Ok Google" you can request to play music (Spotify, Google Play Music, Pandora, TuneIn and iHeart Radio), set alarm, manage calendar, retrieve flight booking details, weather update, news, control smart home appliance or simply ask questions. You can even stream music from your mobile device, by pairing it to the speaker via NFC or Bluetooth.

It can also connect with more Chromecast built-in smart speakers in the home for a multi room set-up. The device features a full range speaker to clearly reproduce vocal and treble notes, a dedicated subwoofer to reproduce bass sound, damped bass reflex duct for natural bass coming from a small form, and an omnidirectional two stage diffuser to spread the sound in all directions.

The smart speaker is also IPX3 rated making it splash proof and has water repellent coating, which means you can use in kitchen. It can also display time and has gesture control top to control music, skip tracks and adjust the volume.

The Sony LF-S50G is priced at $200 / €230 / £200 and will be available in the US in October, and in UK, Germany and France in November. It comes in Black and White color.