Apple Stores gain new Philips Hue Bloom & LightStrips lighting options
Apple's online and retail stores will become the exclusive home of Philips' latest iPhone-connected Hue lights this week: the Bloom portable LED bulb and stick-able LightStrips, both of which do not require a standard light socket.
Both new additions to the Philips Hue family -- dubbed Friends of Hue -- will be available in Apple Stores starting on Thursday. The products will require the Hue starter kit, also available in Apple Stores, as well as resellers such as Amazon for $199.99.
When paired with the Hue bridge, the new products will offer users more dynamic multi-colored lighting options for their connected home. The existing bulbs and new accessories can be customized and programmed via the official Hue app for iPhone and iPad.
The new LivingColors Bloom is a compact fixture that can be placed on a flat surface such as the floor or a bookshelf. The Bloom then bounces light of any surface to illuminate the room.
And the new LightStrips from Philips come as a 6.6-foot LED strip that can be cut to size. With an adhesive backing, the LightStrips can be mounted where users see fit.
The products are compatible with the full Hue spectrum of colors already offered on the official bulbs. They also integrate with available geofencing and IFTTT features, allowing for customization such as automatically turning on the lights when a user arrives at home, or providing visual cues for data such as sports scores or e-mail.
While the Hue starter kit and individual $60 bulbs are available through Amazon, the new LivingColors Bloom and LightStrips will reportedly be exclusive to Apple's online and retail stores for this week's launch.
Both new additions to the Philips Hue family -- dubbed Friends of Hue -- will be available in Apple Stores starting on Thursday. The products will require the Hue starter kit, also available in Apple Stores, as well as resellers such as Amazon for $199.99.
When paired with the Hue bridge, the new products will offer users more dynamic multi-colored lighting options for their connected home. The existing bulbs and new accessories can be customized and programmed via the official Hue app for iPhone and iPad.
The new LivingColors Bloom is a compact fixture that can be placed on a flat surface such as the floor or a bookshelf. The Bloom then bounces light of any surface to illuminate the room.
And the new LightStrips from Philips come as a 6.6-foot LED strip that can be cut to size. With an adhesive backing, the LightStrips can be mounted where users see fit.
The products are compatible with the full Hue spectrum of colors already offered on the official bulbs. They also integrate with available geofencing and IFTTT features, allowing for customization such as automatically turning on the lights when a user arrives at home, or providing visual cues for data such as sports scores or e-mail.
While the Hue starter kit and individual $60 bulbs are available through Amazon, the new LivingColors Bloom and LightStrips will reportedly be exclusive to Apple's online and retail stores for this week's launch.
Comments
Meh. The app gets a 1.5 star rating on the App Store.
I'll wait until they come out with a better quality app.
Talk about a "first world problem." If the prices were a LOT lower they might be popular with dorm dwellers, I suppose.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Mark
Why would you want to change the color of the light?
It's called "mood lighting".
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoetmb
It's called "mood lighting".
You'll have to excuse some members of the "high tech" society, they lack the experience of the benefits of mood lighting.
For some, the glow of an LED screen emanating from their electronic device.....is considered mood lighting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dickprinter
You'll have to excuse some members of the "high tech" society, they lack the experience of the benefits of mood lighting.
For some, the glow of an LED screen emanating from their electronic device.....is considered mood lighting.
AHAHAHAHA.
Who knows? Maybe their right hands will look better under dim red.
If only they made these things smaller I would buy one (or three). Right now they are only suitable for replacing bulbs in ceiling fixtures or giant lamps and even then half the time you can see the ugly thing. They need to be more like drop in replacements for regular lightbulbs both visually, and wattage-wise.
If only they made these things smaller I would buy one (or three). Right now they are only suitable for replacing bulbs in ceiling fixtures or giant lamps and even then half the time you can see the ugly thing. They need to be more like drop in replacements for regular lightbulbs both visually, and wattage-wise.
They use a standard lamp base.Meh. The app gets a 1.5 star rating on the App Store.
I'll wait until they come out with a better quality app.
Yup. for now its a niche device. The odd LSD part etc.The problem with the controller /software it does not do some basic things the average user may like.. They did do an update recently to the app but I believe it still has issues... IMO.
Quote:
Originally Posted by boeyc15
They use a standard lamp base.Yes, but not a standard bulb. It's only really suitable for pot lights and directional ceiling fixtures etc. Maybe the odd gigantic lamp as I said.
Basically, for any light fixture where you can see the bulb or the light is omni-directional instead of just "coming out the end" it's a poor solution.
Who the "F" cares?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregLomow
The post says 'do not require a standard light socket'. What does this mean? What type of non-standard socket do they need?
It plugs into the wall, instead of screwing into a lamp base.
You've have to excuse some members of the "high tech" society. They need custom lighting to get in the mood.
While slick, I doubt Phillips has added enough to these light strips to account for the $270 upcharge. These kits go for less than $20 on ebay with a remote included.
I love it!
Can't wait to buy some strips to go with my bulbs.