Starting today, Apple’s stores will begin carrying the Philips hue lightbulb, otherwise dubbed as “the world’s smartest LED bulb.” For those of you who don’t know, the hue is an iOS application-controlled lightbulb that will only be available in Apple’s Retail Stores. The lightbulb comes priced at $199 for a starter pack of three lightbulbs of 600 lumen and a hue bridge to connect the bulbs to a home network.
Each bulb offers all shades of white and a variety of color, utilizing 80% less power than traditional lightbulbs while providing the equivalent of a 500 watt bulb. There is an option to buy a huge introduction pack which can expand to up to 50 individual bulbs, with each extra bulb being priced at $59. With an iOS application, hue allows users to remotely control their home’s lighting and personalize settings such as timers. According to Philips, the bulbs are also upgradable and future-proof as more features can be downloaded in the future.
One of the more interesting features the app sports is called “LightRecipes”, which are four pre-programmed lighting settings based on the company’s research regarding the biological effects that lighting has on the body. The scenarios adjust bulbs to the optimum shade and brightness of white light to help users relax, read, concentrate or energize. Other features that the hue sports include the following:
- Save your favorite light scenes for each room or time of day and recall them in an instant
- Use any photo on your phone as a color palette to paint your room with light and bring your memories back to life
- Tune white light from warm candlelight to vibrant, cool white light
- Create ambience or complement your decor with the colors of the rainbow
- Control and monitor your lights remotely when not at home for security and peace of mind
- Set timers to help manage your daily routine
- Let light wake you up refreshed or help your loved ones fall asleep
The hue is the second home automation device being pushed by Apple in retail stores, with the first one being the Nest learning thermostat. Similar to the Nest, the hue also connections to iPhones via a free application and aims to reduce users’ power bills.
Will you be picking up the Philips hue?
Source: Phillip’s hue
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