Sony announces LocationFree LF-B10, LF-B20 and LF-BOX1

We haven't heard from Sony's LocationFree since 2005, but our best buds over in Japan have been busy on some new models since then -- and they look startingly like a shiny acrylic PS2. Today the company is announcing two new base stations, the LF-B10 and the LF-B20 (pictured above) and the LocationFree TV Box. The LF-B20, which goes for $250, also acts as a WiFi access point, whereas its less expensive sibling, the LF-B10, priced at $200, doesn't. Sony's LocationFree Box (dubbed the LF-BOX1) is a $230 receiver unit that will let you watch said content on an in-home television -- although it may work on your hotel's television too, should you be so inclined to take it with. That said, it's well possible that as an alternative, you'll have your PSP or a laptop with LFTV software on it, just like a Slingbox. The trio of LFTV units will be available next month, and are currently on pre-order from Sony's site.

[z @ Sep 5th 2006 12:43PM]

Isn't that the kind of thing that Apple is supposed to do with their Airport Video Express? ;)

[Chris Gunton @ Sep 5th 2006 12:44PM]

Now THATS what the PS3 should look like.

[narco @ Sep 5th 2006 12:47PM]

I agree, this is what the PS3 should look like. Sony used to have awesome looking stuff, now even Microsoft is beating them in the design department.

Fishes,
narco.

[Alex C @ Sep 5th 2006 1:38PM]

Yes! Why didn't they make the PS3 look like this! It's a perfect evolution of the PS2 design, retaining some of the recognisable "grill" look at the bottom. Rather than making the whole thing actually look like a grill.

[Tai Fuller @ Sep 5th 2006 1:52PM]

@ 2,3,4....


That was the 1st thing i said. They should offer design choices.

[bazald @ Sep 5th 2006 2:09PM]

I agree with all previous posters, but why not announce the new Core 2 Duo SZ and FE series available now, from Sony Style? It is extra interesting, because the processors are mislabelled on the configuration pages... Engadget clearly is not checking its e-mail frequently enough.

[Dave @ Sep 5th 2006 2:09PM]

I tought xBox is the best design but i might change after seeing this!

[++good @ Sep 5th 2006 2:24PM]

I wasn't even thinking about a PS3 design when I first looked at this, but, a good idea is a good idea. I like it.

[James @ Sep 5th 2006 2:24PM]

What's with the mail in rebates on Sony Style? $200 mail in on $199 model, and $200 mail in on he $249 model?

[John @ Sep 5th 2006 2:44PM]

James,
The $200 mail in rebate is if you buy their $1500 TV.

[Viper X @ Sep 5th 2006 2:57PM]

NOw if they made the ps3 look like this i think about
getting it but hell no the gill look is shit
i think im keeping the 360

[Meddow @ Sep 5th 2006 3:04PM]

wow, looks really nice!

[Hamson @ Sep 5th 2006 3:30PM]

@2,3,4,5,6,8,11...

That's exactly the first thing I thought of too. THIS is what the PS3 should look like. Retains some old (good) characteristics of the PS2, but evolves just enough so that you know it's newer and better.

[Chris @ Sep 5th 2006 3:47PM]

Possibly they would be able to fit all of the PS3 inside such a tiny box in about.....say 3 years when it's the PSthree. For now, there's no way they could've made it any smaller than it is without taking out the Blu-Ray drive and they're not going to do that.

On a different note, I'm happy to see these coming so the previous model's price can go down and it will finally make sense to buy one.

[Shovel @ Sep 5th 2006 4:45PM]

I use a Sony's current LocationFree TV, not this new one, it works really great.

I have my cable connected to it and so I watch TV from my PC at work when it gets slow. Watching TV on the PSP when I'm on the john is great too. But overall it works very well, I used to own the Sling device but it would crap out once and awhile and it needed to restart it. One thing the my old Sling player had that the LocationFree TV doesn't is PocketPC support which was pretty nifty.

[Paolo @ Mar 15th 2007 8:00PM]

Hi, can a ask you a question about the Location Free? I have one and a friend of mine in Italy as the soft in his computer. But when I send the signal to him he can not watch the TV. He receives a message who says "can not connect to the Base Station". I have also the soft installed in my PC just to check it and it works. Of course I don`t use it anymore to permit to him to watch it, but... Do you know which are the right settings to connect to the Base Station from a foreign country (Italy)?

[Andrew Jones @ Sep 5th 2006 5:01PM]

Is it just me, or does this look like it would fit right in sitting next to a Nintendo Revolution? At least one Sony department realizes the marketing faux pas of setting the price at $600.

[Kritenks Deli @ Sep 5th 2006 6:10PM]

The PS3 wouldn't fit in there... Now that's what the PSthree should look like! ;) lol

[mizu @ Sep 5th 2006 6:16PM]

Once they figure out component shrinkage, the PS3 MarkII better be in this form factor or sexier. I'm happy to wait.

[Shmee150 @ Sep 5th 2006 7:36PM]

I'm going abroad for 6 months, will this actually do the job of providing me with regular television from a foreign country provided I have internet access at both ends?

ShMeE

[mxpxboy77 @ Sep 5th 2006 8:44PM]

You all who are saying that the PS3 is ugly and should look like this are morons. You all know darn well that if Sony did design the PS3 to look like that, you same people would be giving them hell about how they're unimaginative for making it look similar to PStwo. Sony can't win with you all.

[lordroba @ Sep 5th 2006 10:47PM]

That's how their LocationFree station should look like. Ooops, my bad, that's it right there! Good job Sony. :P

[Oliver in seattle @ Sep 5th 2006 11:36PM]

Coming fall 2006: windows mobile support!
Hoping it's true

[TJ @ Sep 6th 2006 7:30PM]

If I bought a base station and the receiver from the US, would I be able to connect it up to a UK TV & digital satellite box successfully?

[mizu @ Sep 7th 2006 7:51PM]

mspxboy,

That is possible but between "ugly" and "unimaginative", the latter is the lesser of 2 evils. I'd rather have unimaginative but sexy sitting next to my TV.

[JayK @ Sep 14th 2006 7:03AM]

Sony have lost their touch...they don't know what customers want...they used to lead but now follow...Apple did this first...it should be white and have some variation of "pod" in the title...I much rather have a lime green Nano...

...etc etc ad infinitum.

[W J @ Sep 15th 2006 10:55AM]

Shmee and TJ.. That's exactly what it's for! It works anywhere because there's no subscription or anything.. just like Slingbox (which can't be used with PSP). You'll need broadband at home and access to a broadband wireless connection away from home in order to use it with your PSP or laptop, but I hear it's amazing on PSP. The only reason I didn't spring for one was because I'd heard that it wasn't so hot when viewed on PC but I'm pretty sure that has something to do with how fast your connection at home is.. but maybe Shovel can clarify that. If it WAS an issue on PC, hopefully they've rectified it with this new model... if so.. I'm sold for sure this time!

[Scott Amendolaro @ Apr 23rd 2007 7:54AM]

LF-BOX1 has been discontinued from sony.... (Before it was even released) They have removed all references to it from their Site. The official Quote when asked is that they have decided not to release it to the USA. So for all those who waited and believed their lies... Enjoy.....

[brad @ Apr 23rd 2007 3:35PM]

Thanks for the heads up Scott, you won't believe this but I was searching for the LF-Box1 to order today but couldn't find it in stock anywhere and saw that sonystyle.com no longer had it up though I thought I remembered seeing it there at one time maybe as a pre-order. Anyhow, do you know of where the LF-Box1 might be offered? Maybe in Japan? And if so do you think the Japanese model would work in the states if so? Thanks again though for the news , though its dissappointing, that the TV Box is not coming.

[Scott Amendolaro @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:33PM]

Let me clarify their exact words... Upon asking them what happened to the LB-Box1 on their site I received this reply:

"Sony is currently assessing how the LocationFree TV Box technology will be marketed in the United States. As a result, the decision was made not to release the product in its current form. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thank you."


When I pressed them as to what exactly this meant I got this:

"Sony decided not to release it in it’s current form. That means we may release it, or may not. Unfortunately, I do not know the future of the LFBOX1. All I can say is that we are not releasing it right now in it’s current form. Any news regarding the release of a similar product or a different version of the LFBOX1 will be posted on www.sony.com/locationfree. Thank you."

You can decide as to the meaning, to me it is pretty clear by their actions that they are trying to back out of releasing without saying a word... Either it doesn't work or who knows but after almost two years,.... they have no excuse.....

[Scott Amendolaro @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:41PM]

Let me clarify their exact words... Upon asking them what happened to the LB-Box1 on their site I received this reply:

"Sony is currently assessing how the LocationFree TV Box technology will be marketed in the United States. As a result, the decision was made not to release the product in its current form. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thank you."


When I pressed them as to what exactly this meant I got this:

"Sony decided not to release it in it’s current form. That means we may release it, or may not. Unfortunately, I do not know the future of the LFBOX1. All I can say is that we are not releasing it right now in it’s current form. Any news regarding the release of a similar product or a different version of the LFBOX1 will be posted on www.sony.com/locationfree. Thank you."

You can decide as to the meaning, to me it is pretty clear by their actions that they are trying to back out of releasing without saying a word... Either it doesn't work or who knows but after almost two years,.... they have no excuse.....

[Scott Amendolaro @ May 2nd 2007 7:11PM]

Update...

Sony doesn't seem to respond to me anymore.... I was still interested in the LF-b20 but I did not want to pay $250. techonweb had them new for $158 ($163 shipped) but they were on backorder. Last week Placed the order and today I had notification that stock ws in. So if you are interested, it s $100 cheaper then the sony store...

[brad @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:55PM]

Thanks Scott again for the update and clarifcation. I did end up finding out you could buy an LF-Box1 from the amazon.co.jp website however it lists that that item will not be shipped outside of Japan. So for now I have no chance I'll be trying out a Japanese version of the TV Box receiver anytime soon. It was a good idea though to have a non computer based receiver but only if they lowered the price so it was an easy choice for owners of a LocationFree base station to make, if they wanted to add another TV or other type of client without a PC needed in the mix. Thanks again for the details on the TV Box and yes it sounds like its been killed off here.

[Scott Amendolaro @ Apr 23rd 2007 11:11PM]

Brad,

How is the quality of that unit ? I have been holding out purchasing until the LFBOX1 came out but since it has not I either need to go ahead and get the LF-B20 or go Slingbox. I haven't really decided. Any regrets ?

[brad @ Apr 24th 2007 2:30AM]

Scott,
I used to own the LF-B10 LocationFree Base Station but returned it after a week because I couldn't get that base station to work with the PSP though it says it should, help support wasn't very helpful either and I didn't have the time to try to figure it out so ended up returning that unit. However it did work pretty well when using my laptop as a locationFree client, I have a cable modem so the speed wasn't too bad, however the software did work rather slow and used up a lot of resources on my laptop, so I couldn't do much other than just use the locationFree client software on my laptop and pretty much nothing else. My laptop however isn't top of the line, its a P4 1.3 Ghz and about 4 years old. I have heard people talk about using and enjoying the old LF-PK1 base stations, which are rather cheap to find now, but I might just hold out until there is a sale and try out the LF-B20 with the wireless soon. I was hoping to possibly get the LF-B20 base station with a LF-Box1 (TV Box) receiver so I could use the LF-Box1 (TV Box) on a different TV in a different location to stream my cable and DVR to without the need of a computer or other location free client device.

I haven't looked into the slingbox but it probably is the best alternative since that is their sole business so they probably put more time and effort behind their products and support as well. If I don't get a LF-B20 then I might look at the slingbox. Again though if you're interested in the LocationFree base stations, probably its best to buy from a store that has a reasonable return policy and try it out for a week or so and if it isn't working out return it for a refund. I had success doing this at CompUsa but the only reason I ended up returning it was due to my not getting the LF-B10 up and running with the PSP successfully. My hopes is the LF-B20 has better and easier support for the PSP as a locationFree client.

Well if I find a way to get a LF-Box1 (TV Box receiver) to try out stateside I will give a review of it somewhere on the web if this engadget thread and link isn't still available. First I need to find a LF-B20 for a reasonable price to try out first, hopefully it works even better then the LF-B10 does at least when using a PSP as a client.