At $59/light, it will take 6 years in order to recoup the cost of a regular incandescent (assuming 4 hours of use per day, a $1.25 60W incandescent, and $0.10/kWh), and over 50 years for a $3.95, 14W CFL. Obviously, greater usage reduces the time. However, we should also remember that CFLs are not good in situations where the light will be turned on and off a lot throughout the day (such as in bathrooms), as that will reduce their lifespan considerably. Furthermore, CFLs don't do well on dimmer switches, which most (seemingly all, in California, at least) new houses have installed. Finally, they have mercury in them, which isn't easy to dispose of safely and is bad for the environment. LEDs don't have these problems, so that's an extra point in their favor against the CFLs.
Honestly, though, at that high price, it's nowhere near worth replacing all the lights in your house with these Hue lights. Maybe one or two lights that see lots of regular usage, but even then, I would be leery. In the next couple years, we will see the price for these things go way, way down.
Normal LEDs can be got for 20-30 per bulb, and in lots of places this is subsidized - to make it a little less ridiculous
This lighting seems overpriced and unnecessary but in the next 20 years I think it will be commonplace to have this type of functionality. Warm White is good for soft lighting while Blue White better for reading etc., - Someone has to do it first
Even if they were the same prices as regular lightbulbs I don't see one reason why I'd want to control bulbs individually from my iDevice.
I can see doing it in my media room. Hit your button- dim your lights- dont have to stand up.
Or as a couple security lights. You go out of town, forgot to turn on lights- pop open your app and turn them on.
So I see a function. A lot of people (not you Sol) are speaking as if these are made to replace all your existing lights- that would be stupid, and I doubt it's their intent (although I'm sure they'd love for you to).
At $59/light, it will take 6 years in order to recoup the cost of a regular incandescent (assuming 4 hours of use per day, a $1.25 60W incandescent, and $0.10/kWh), and over 50 years for a $3.95, 14W CFL. Obviously, greater usage reduces the time. However, we should also remember that CFLs are not good in situations where the light will be turned on and off a lot throughout the day (such as in bathrooms), as that will reduce their lifespan considerably. Furthermore, CFLs don't do well on dimmer switches, which most (seemingly all, in California, at least) new houses have installed. Finally, they have mercury in them, which isn't easy to dispose of safely and is bad for the environment. LEDs don't have these problems, so that's an extra point in their favor against the CFLs.
Honestly, though, at that high price, it's nowhere near worth replacing all the lights in your house with these Hue lights. Maybe one or two lights that see lots of regular usage, but even then, I would be leery. In the next couple years, we will see the price for these things go way, way down.
It's a clever new niche for LED bulbs and personally I can't wait to try it out. Of course you won't change all your lights but three bulbs in the living room doesn't seem excessive. The remote control stuff doesn't add much to the already high price of a quality LED bulb. This is Philips, not some cheap generic light bulb company.
Also, in your comparison you don't mention the bother of having to change lightbulbs at the least opportune times. That's worth a few bucks.
while thats a start, still waiting for 'SIRI' to have voice control of some of these things. Yes, Star Trek has ruined me.
Oh, I would love to be able to do that, too! Have the speakers in every room just be a two-way intercom. Have it be always open, listening for certain phonemes.
Which phonemes, you ask? Well, you can have it be "Siri", as those don't happen very often otherwise, and then have audio feedback as it begins to listen for a command. Or you can rename your house so that it's something else you wouldn't say otherwise.
Just be all, "Siri?" *notes* "Turn the oven to 425 and alert me when it's done." *notes*
I'm sort of envisioning the two tritones from the computer in the movie version of Hitchhiker's Guide, myself. And then change Siri's voice to be Eddie's.
*notes* "Hey, I'd love to play some classic jazz for you!" *notes*
I can see doing it in my media room. Hit your button- dim your lights- dont have to stand up.
Or as a couple security lights. You go out of town, forgot to turn on lights- pop open your app and turn them on.
So I see a function. A lot of people (not you Sol) are speaking as if these are made to replace all your existing lights- that would be stupid, and I doubt it's their intent (although I'm sure they'd love for you to).
Sure, I can see remote, networked controlled lights in a home for the reasons you mention but I think it's best left to a universal network connection so that the light circuit along with other smart appliances are connected, not lights you can control individually and not lights that are LEDs with varying colors as a selling point.
I can see doing it in my media room. Hit your button- dim your lights- dont have to stand up.
Or as a couple security lights. You go out of town, forgot to turn on lights- pop open your app and turn them on.
So I see a function. A lot of people (not you Sol) are speaking as if these are made to replace all your existing lights- that would be stupid, and I doubt it's their intent (although I'm sure they'd love for you to).
I was thinking along the same lines in a home theatre room, it would be good if they could integrate with AirPlay to react to music or even have a score written for them and integrated into iTunes movies, so that special effects such as lightning or explosions envelope the whole room.
Lighting matched to a movie would be pretty cool.
Although at the moment I have six 1 watt LED downlights installed which cost almost nothing to use.
I bet the bulbs are using the Cirrus Logic LED controller chips. They allow the bulb to be programmed over the power line. I believe the original intent was to do this only during the manufacturing process to calibrate the bulb and set it's color temp. Obviously someone had another idea.
MUCH rather just have, you know, a centralized control system instead of each individual BULB having controls and costing stupid money.
Put a 9.7" screen in the wall where each light switch would regularly have been, control lights, music, televisions, oven, washer/dryer, thermostat. Every dang thing. Mac Mini in the basement handling the processing.
What like the bulb increase the production of adenosine triphosphate or maybe they produce some new kind of photon that allows human beings to photosynthesise?
At $59/light, it will take 6 years in order to recoup the cost of a regular incandescent (assuming 4 hours of use per day, a $1.25 60W incandescent, and $0.10/kWh), and over 50 years for a $3.95, 14W CFL. Obviously, greater usage reduces the time. However, we should also remember that CFLs are not good in situations where the light will be turned on and off a lot throughout the day (such as in bathrooms), as that will reduce their lifespan considerably. Furthermore, CFLs don't do well on dimmer switches, which most (seemingly all, in California, at least) new houses have installed. Finally, they have mercury in them, which isn't easy to dispose of safely and is bad for the environment. LEDs don't have these problems, so that's an extra point in their favor against the CFLs.
Honestly, though, at that high price, it's nowhere near worth replacing all the lights in your house with these Hue lights. Maybe one or two lights that see lots of regular usage, but even then, I would be leery. In the next couple years, we will see the price for these things go way, way down.
The proper comparison isn't vs incandescent lights. Rather, compare it to other LED lights. You can buy a good LED bulb of similar light output for $20 at any hardware store or discount store. Stay away from the really cheap ones - they're mostly junk. But for $20, you can get a good quality one with an expected 10 year life.
Given that fact, the target market here is not replacement of CFLs and certainly not incandescents. Rather, the target is for people who want mood lighting - the ability to change the color of their lighting at will. If that's your objective, this is a pretty good solution - and considerably less expensive than the alternatives.
Don't you mean 50 Watts and not 500? There are no 500 watts LEDs.
There are no STANDARD 500 W LEDs. The brightest LED for use on conventional fixtures is the equivalent of a 120 W incandescent: http://www.besthomeledlighting.com/faqs
However, it is possible to bundle LEDs into custom configurations to get brighter lights. That is, of course, irrelevant for this article. As stated earlier, these bulbs are the equivalent of 50 W incandescents - as you suggested.
I bet the bulbs are using the Cirrus Logic LED controller chips. They allow the bulb to be programmed over the power line. I believe the original intent was to do this only during the manufacturing process to calibrate the bulb and set it's color temp. Obviously someone had another idea.
They use ZigBee wireless mesh network technology developed by Philips.
I bet the bulbs are using the Cirrus Logic LED controller chips. They allow the bulb to be programmed over the power line. I believe the original intent was to do this only during the manufacturing process to calibrate the bulb and set it's color temp. Obviously someone had another idea.
It's based on a "dust" wireless networking protocol commonly known as ZigBee. You bet wrong. Pay up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stike vomit
They use ZigBee wireless mesh network technology developed by Philips.
No base station required. It looks like the Philips "solution" requires a base station, which is a deal-breaker, for me.
If the WiFi/ZigBee bridge is not restricted to these bulbs, then I think this can open up many other applications. This may be the foray to home appliance control via iOS. I do believe, however, that these bulbs can be controlled via Android as well (ZigBee is an open standard). If so, it would be ironic that Apple Stores would sell Android-compatible ware.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by monstrosity
I'm gonna buy some of these. I was waiting for this kickstarter:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented
but will take whichever product comes first...
Interesting - but I'd argue that these are not great selling points...
Visualise your music with animated colors
Make an impression at your next dinner party
Get creative with colors and effects
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinder6
At $59/light, it will take 6 years in order to recoup the cost of a regular incandescent (assuming 4 hours of use per day, a $1.25 60W incandescent, and $0.10/kWh), and over 50 years for a $3.95, 14W CFL. Obviously, greater usage reduces the time. However, we should also remember that CFLs are not good in situations where the light will be turned on and off a lot throughout the day (such as in bathrooms), as that will reduce their lifespan considerably. Furthermore, CFLs don't do well on dimmer switches, which most (seemingly all, in California, at least) new houses have installed. Finally, they have mercury in them, which isn't easy to dispose of safely and is bad for the environment. LEDs don't have these problems, so that's an extra point in their favor against the CFLs.
Honestly, though, at that high price, it's nowhere near worth replacing all the lights in your house with these Hue lights. Maybe one or two lights that see lots of regular usage, but even then, I would be leery. In the next couple years, we will see the price for these things go way, way down.
Normal LEDs can be got for 20-30 per bulb, and in lots of places this is subsidized - to make it a little less ridiculous
This lighting seems overpriced and unnecessary but in the next 20 years I think it will be commonplace to have this type of functionality. Warm White is good for soft lighting while Blue White better for reading etc., - Someone has to do it first
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
At those prices they better install themselves.
Even if they were the same prices as regular lightbulbs I don't see one reason why I'd want to control bulbs individually from my iDevice.
I can see doing it in my media room. Hit your button- dim your lights- dont have to stand up.
Or as a couple security lights. You go out of town, forgot to turn on lights- pop open your app and turn them on.
So I see a function. A lot of people (not you Sol) are speaking as if these are made to replace all your existing lights- that would be stupid, and I doubt it's their intent (although I'm sure they'd love for you to).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinder6
At $59/light, it will take 6 years in order to recoup the cost of a regular incandescent (assuming 4 hours of use per day, a $1.25 60W incandescent, and $0.10/kWh), and over 50 years for a $3.95, 14W CFL. Obviously, greater usage reduces the time. However, we should also remember that CFLs are not good in situations where the light will be turned on and off a lot throughout the day (such as in bathrooms), as that will reduce their lifespan considerably. Furthermore, CFLs don't do well on dimmer switches, which most (seemingly all, in California, at least) new houses have installed. Finally, they have mercury in them, which isn't easy to dispose of safely and is bad for the environment. LEDs don't have these problems, so that's an extra point in their favor against the CFLs.
Honestly, though, at that high price, it's nowhere near worth replacing all the lights in your house with these Hue lights. Maybe one or two lights that see lots of regular usage, but even then, I would be leery. In the next couple years, we will see the price for these things go way, way down.
It's a clever new niche for LED bulbs and personally I can't wait to try it out. Of course you won't change all your lights but three bulbs in the living room doesn't seem excessive. The remote control stuff doesn't add much to the already high price of a quality LED bulb. This is Philips, not some cheap generic light bulb company.
Also, in your comparison you don't mention the bother of having to change lightbulbs at the least opportune times. That's worth a few bucks.
Originally Posted by boeyc15
while thats a start, still waiting for 'SIRI' to have voice control of some of these things. Yes, Star Trek has ruined me.
Oh, I would love to be able to do that, too! Have the speakers in every room just be a two-way intercom. Have it be always open, listening for certain phonemes.
Which phonemes, you ask? Well, you can have it be "Siri", as those don't happen very often otherwise, and then have audio feedback as it begins to listen for a command. Or you can rename your house so that it's something else you wouldn't say otherwise.
Just be all, "Siri?" *notes* "Turn the oven to 425 and alert me when it's done." *notes*
I'm sort of envisioning the two tritones from the computer in the movie version of Hitchhiker's Guide, myself. And then change Siri's voice to be Eddie's.
*notes* "Hey, I'd love to play some classic jazz for you!" *notes*
Sure, I can see remote, networked controlled lights in a home for the reasons you mention but I think it's best left to a universal network connection so that the light circuit along with other smart appliances are connected, not lights you can control individually and not lights that are LEDs with varying colors as a selling point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by boeyc15
while thats a start, still waiting for 'SIRI' to have voice control of some of these things. Yes, Star Trek has ruined me.
It could recognize the lyrics to In-a-godda-da-vida and start a psychedelic light show!
I was thinking along the same lines in a home theatre room, it would be good if they could integrate with AirPlay to react to music or even have a score written for them and integrated into iTunes movies, so that special effects such as lightning or explosions envelope the whole room.
Lighting matched to a movie would be pretty cool.
Although at the moment I have six 1 watt LED downlights installed which cost almost nothing to use.
I bet the bulbs are using the Cirrus Logic LED controller chips. They allow the bulb to be programmed over the power line. I believe the original intent was to do this only during the manufacturing process to calibrate the bulb and set it's color temp. Obviously someone had another idea.
That's what I'm talking about......
Quote:
help users ... energize
What like the bulb increase the production of adenosine triphosphate or maybe they produce some new kind of photon that allows human beings to photosynthesise?
The proper comparison isn't vs incandescent lights. Rather, compare it to other LED lights. You can buy a good LED bulb of similar light output for $20 at any hardware store or discount store. Stay away from the really cheap ones - they're mostly junk. But for $20, you can get a good quality one with an expected 10 year life.
Given that fact, the target market here is not replacement of CFLs and certainly not incandescents. Rather, the target is for people who want mood lighting - the ability to change the color of their lighting at will. If that's your objective, this is a pretty good solution - and considerably less expensive than the alternatives.
There are no STANDARD 500 W LEDs. The brightest LED for use on conventional fixtures is the equivalent of a 120 W incandescent:
http://www.besthomeledlighting.com/faqs
However, it is possible to bundle LEDs into custom configurations to get brighter lights. That is, of course, irrelevant for this article. As stated earlier, these bulbs are the equivalent of 50 W incandescents - as you suggested.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WelshDog
I bet the bulbs are using the Cirrus Logic LED controller chips. They allow the bulb to be programmed over the power line. I believe the original intent was to do this only during the manufacturing process to calibrate the bulb and set it's color temp. Obviously someone had another idea.
They use ZigBee wireless mesh network technology developed by Philips.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZigBee
Quote:
Originally Posted by monstrosity
I'm gonna buy some of these. I was waiting for this kickstarter:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented
but will take whichever product comes first...
They should have got a patent before broadcasting it on Kickstarter...maybe they did.
I like the way the LifeX is just a bulb: http://lifx.co
No base station required. It looks like the Philips "solution" requires a base station, which is a deal-breaker, for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WelshDog
I bet the bulbs are using the Cirrus Logic LED controller chips. They allow the bulb to be programmed over the power line. I believe the original intent was to do this only during the manufacturing process to calibrate the bulb and set it's color temp. Obviously someone had another idea.
It's based on a "dust" wireless networking protocol commonly known as ZigBee. You bet wrong. Pay up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stike vomit
They use ZigBee wireless mesh network technology developed by Philips.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZigBee
Philips did not develop ZigBee.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland
I like the way the LifeX is just a bulb: http://lifx.co
No base station required. It looks like the Philips "solution" requires a base station, which is a deal-breaker, for me.
If the WiFi/ZigBee bridge is not restricted to these bulbs, then I think this can open up many other applications. This may be the foray to home appliance control via iOS. I do believe, however, that these bulbs can be controlled via Android as well (ZigBee is an open standard). If so, it would be ironic that Apple Stores would sell Android-compatible ware.
Why exactly would I want a blinding 500 watt bulb in my house????
> 50 individual bulbs, and each bulb is priced at $59.
$3000 for light bulbs????
> World's Smartest LED Bulb
Smart?