New Networked LED Bulb Provides Wireless Light Control

News
By Wolfgang Gruener
published

Philips just announced its smart light bulb, which can be programmed via WiFi connectivity and smartphone/tablet apps. Users can adjust the brightness as well as the color.

According to the company, the LED bulbs can display a variety of white tones ranging from warm yellow white to blue white, in addition to virtually any other color desired by the user. The technology used in the bulbs is related to Philips' now defunct AmbiLight TVs, which allowed a device to adjust the surrounding TV lighting to the screen content.

Called hue, the smart light bulb starter kit is priced at $199 and comes with three bulbs and a network bridge that can control up to 50 bulbs at any time. Each additional bulb is $59 a piece. Via a smartphone, a user can apply a programmable timer, remotely control the lights or go to more extravagant usage models and take a picture of an object and apply the color tone to a light bulb.

According to Philips, there are several preset lighting modes that provide tones for specific environments, including calming tones for reading and relaxing.

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Wolfgang Gruener
11 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mrmike_49
    ridiculously expensive, too bad
    Reply
  • jossrik
    I like the idea but will wait for the price to drop, it's not even the 60$ a bulb that gets at me, it's the 200$ starter fee, also, wonder if I can control it from my computer and how much hassle setting that up would be...
    Reply
  • mrmike_49
    check out "X10" (x10.com) - much cheaper and available now
    Reply
  • RabidFace
    I think there will only be ONE smart bulb. Everyone should check out this Kickstarter project.

    http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented?ref=live

    Their bulbs don't require a bridge to work. Everything is contained within the "master" bulb, then you have basically "slave" bulbs. I swear this is not spam :) I saw this article and thought of this. Their bulbs work on any platform. They are not out yet, but watch the video and be amazed.
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    jossrikI like the idea but will wait for the price to drop, it's not even the 60$ a bulb that gets at me, it's the 200$ starter fee, also, wonder if I can control it from my computer and how much hassle setting that up would be...$60 per bulb x3 blubs is $180
    The starter kit comes with 3 bulbs, plus a wireless router/controller for 50 bulbs for $200

    ... and somehow you think the starter kit is expensive, and the bulbs are not?
    Reply
  • xpeh
    Now Philips is a company I haven't heard new news of in a while.
    Reply
  • alidan
    jossrikI like the idea but will wait for the price to drop, it's not even the 60$ a bulb that gets at me, it's the 200$ starter fee, also, wonder if I can control it from my computer and how much hassle setting that up would be...the 200$ starter isnt that horrificly expensive to me, but the 60$ bulbs... i already pay 30$ a bulb for led lights (you ever have a cfl catch fire on you, or when they burn out they smell like frying electronics, and you are willing to pay a premium for piece of mind) but i would not pay 60 for this. maybe 40$

    i would only consider 60$ if these were 120 watt equivilant bulbs but im doubting they are.
    Reply
  • dark_knight33
    White 60w LED replacements for recessed lighting fixtures run about $50 ea at Lowes. I've been pricing them to replace some lights in my laundry room. Color changing multicolor LED light bars (4 to a pack) non-networked (wired remote) cost $50 ea, and I have one of these in my living room.

    These lights by Phillips are networked and can change color... That's worth an extra $10 to me. Not to mention the life expectancy on LEDs blow away the way overstated life of CFLs, while using half the power.

    That doesn't mean you need to change every light in your house with these. What it means is, if you want to color shift your living room or bedroom, this will let you do it for a couple hundred dollars. All jokes aside, you really aren't going to need to set moods in toilet or hallway.
    Reply
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    Reply
  • led bulbWe offer a wide spectrum of LED bulbs. These are developed using premium grade material sourced from trusted vendors. The entire gamut has earned huge reputation in the market for their host of qualitative features. These are offered in various specifications and finds application in diverse industries. Our range consists of white LED bulb and high power LED bulb. for more information visit:www.ledtechshop.com

    Reply