July 24, 2007 1:06 PM PDT

Sony tries to light up new market

by Mike Yamamoto
  • Font size
  • Print
  • Post a comment
(Credit: Plastic Bamboo)

Sony is apparently ready to join the booming trend of lamp speakers. And why not? The combo light-music movement continues to expand, even leaving the confines of the house and into the garden.

Its prototype, dubbed the "Hana"--which means "flower" in Japanese--has taken an appropriately Ikebana form that kind of looks like a silver-plated calla lily illuminated by an LED. Whatever it resembles, the lamp functions as an MP3 player with "full-length" speakers, according to Plastic Bamboo, though we can't quite tell what that means from this photo alone. Speaking of which, the model posing with it looks more dubious than impressed.

No matter what, Sony has its work cut out for it. Not only are there many other such products already on the market, but they're incorporating more features all the time--like the lamp/speaker/air purifier.

Recent posts from Crave
Strap a bike to your feet with Chariot Skates
Leaked Nexus One documents: $530 unlocked, $180 with T-Mobile
Real-time tracking of those who wander
Hummingbird bot could track crooks, explore Mars
What's the one app you can't live without?
Report: T-Mobile ready for Google phone launch
Oppo's newly upgraded Blu-ray/SACD/DVD-A player isn't just for audiophiles
Garmin adds new wilderness GPS models
advertisement
advertisement

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

15 sites that went kaput in 2009

Web sites launch all the time, but they also shut their doors. We highlight 15 that bit the dust this year.

Top 10 news stories of the decade

Let the debate begin: Was the iPhone more important than iTunes? Was anything bigger than Google finding a great business model? CNET offers its list of the 10 most important stories of the '00s.