Philips Hue Wi-Fi lightbulbs in Apple stores Oct. 30

News

Philips Hue Wi-Fi lightbulbs in Apple stores Oct. 30

Philips announced that Hue, its web-enabled LED smart lighting system, will be exclusively available in Apple Stores Tuesday, Oct. 30. Hue allows a new generation of color-shifting, Wi-Fi-enabled lightbulbs to be controlled wirelessly using an app. An expensive $199 starter pack includes three 50W bulbs that fit in existing light fixtures, plus a bridge for a Wi-Fi router. Each additional individual bulb sells for a staggering $59. Users can set timers, change shades and colors, and save settings so certain “light scenes” can be recalled at any time; the app also enables users to sample colors from their favorite images, and watch as the bulbs match those colors. The bulbs can switch between various white tones and colors — Hue’s website claims the bulbs can “recreate any color in the spectrum.”

Philips claims Hue is “upgradeable and future-proof” and more features could be available for download in the future. These features could come from other developers; Philips has created an open source platform for the system, available on the Hue website.

« Freedom Sleeve Rocket adds 4G to 4th-gen iPod touch

East Coast Apple stores prep, close for hurricane »

Comments

1

This would be cool to have but the $200 setup price plus $59 a bulb is going to kill this for most people.

It would seem smarter to lower the price and sell more of them.

Posted by Justin D on October 29, 2012 at 8:43 AM (PST)

2

Can’t find even basic info about this on the Philips web site, like what is the incandescent bulb wattage equivalent for these damn bulbs huh? 40W? 60W? And do they work with dimmers or not?

Sorry, but LED bulbs in general are LOW power and DON’T work with dimmers so not mentioning this anywhere suggests they’re maybe 40W given the profile (which vastly limits their usefulness if true) and NOT compatible with dimmers (ditto for any modern house).

Posted by Glenn on October 29, 2012 at 10:31 PM (PST)

3

The idea of Hue is alluring to me after all I’ve enjoyed about the Nest wi-fi learning thermostat, from the app-enabled interfacing to elegant energy-reduction controls. But $250 to control one’s furnace efficiently is one thing. It’s quite another to pony up thousands of dollars to outfit a home in Hue lighting.

The 28 or so recessed lights in our hearth room-kitchen area alone is enough to remind me this project appears a fail, especially when Philips has made these as 600-lumen devices that don’t dim. Most of my fixtures/controls are dimmable and can output around 800-1200 max lumens each.

Posted by Quix on November 1, 2012 at 7:33 AM (PST)

4

The Hue is equivalent to a 50W bulb.
They communicate using ZigBee, and you need the ZigBee to Ethernet bridge included in the $199 Starter Pack (connects to your home router).

Posted by Blue Bill on November 2, 2012 at 12:05 PM (PST)

If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.

Recent Reviews

New Deals

Shop for Accessories: Cases, speakers, chargers, etc.

iLounge

News