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g_ronzino
I think we have to go beyond the sole Business case analysis. Probably the bulb ...
peter.clarke
Philips, Apple offer web-controlled LED lighting
Peter Clarke
10/30/2012 1:16 AM EDT
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Consumer electronics giant Philips has introduced a range of wireless- and Internet-addressable LED light bulbs called "hue" that consumers can control from any iOS or Android device, including changing colors and turning on and off remotely.
The starter kit for the online-addressable lighting system is being offered exclusively through Apple stores beginning Tuesday (Oct. 30). The kit includes three hue LED light bulbs that fit into standard light fixtures, a bridge unit that connects to a wireless router and a downloadable application. The application comes in iOS and Android variants.
From the app, which can be hosted on most smartphones and tablet computers, consumers can remotely control home lighting for security, set and change timers and alter the color from more than 16 million colors to customize the lighting in each room.
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Philips did not indicate whether both screw-thread and bayonet fixing is supported, but photographs appear of screw-thread devices. The starter kit is priced at $199 with additional bulbs available at $59 each.
The hue bulb allows tunable white light from cool to warm. Philips said that the internet addressablility allows lights to be turned off and on or dimmed remotely and that the application supports up to 50 hue bulbs in a domestic setting. This also allows numerous light settings to be saved and recalled at the touch of tablet button.
The hue light bulbs are provided with ZigBee LightLink communications allowing them to communicate with each other so that as long as one hue bulb can talk to the WiFi router via the bridge unit the complete hue lighting network is under control.
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SylvieBarak
10/30/2012 2:43 PM EDT
Super smart move by Philips here. Not that LED lighting that can be controlled via smartphone is new or exceptional, but teaming up with Apple is. Guaranteed way to make an impact and a profit at the same time.
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someEmbeddedGuy
10/31/2012 12:35 PM EDT
Interesting product, however $59 a bulb seems a bit steep...
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mondoe
10/31/2012 7:38 PM EDT
the $59 is a very good price for what it can do !, I am in Australia and ou home automation system (Schneider (Clipsal in Australia)C-Bus) has just cost us $100K for the relays and installation in our new home !!, that is alot of bulbs ! and also they do not do as much as this system... on/off dim and timed !. This is really the start for IOT through the main stream channels !.
Bring it on I say !!
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peter.clarke
10/31/2012 10:13 PM EDT
I am pretty sure this is an introductory price set to relieve early adopters of their money. Once the Apple Store crowd has paid up I expect Philips to drop the price and the exclusivity.
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WKetel
11/1/2012 6:56 PM EDT
Just what we need, internet enabled light bulbs for hackers to play with. I give it about a week before the real fun begins.
What about using up all of the internet addresses just so that somebody can show off how cool they are controlling the lights from their phone? Wireless will be far more hacker resistant, but even there it seems to be far more a solution running around in search of a problem. Really, who needs it?
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peter.clarke
11/1/2012 7:37 PM EDT
I agree that security is a vital part of the equation.
However, it is not a question of who needs it? Rather it is a question of who will pay for it ....and how much?
After all you don't really NEED electricity...you could use candles, etc., but you are prepared to pay for it.
Philips clearly think the Apple Store crowd will pay if only for five minutes fun of making their lights change color
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g_ronzino
11/5/2012 2:18 AM EST
I think we have to go beyond the sole Business case analysis. Probably the bulb cost is too high and the external gateway to be used not the best way to push the service but pls note the following BIG cultural change associated with HUE:
1) for the first time lamps (in general) becomes clinet/end points of the Home Network
2) Apple starts considering fixed/IoT services and application a nes frontier for getting revenue.
I think it is great for all the people interesetd in IoT!
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