Hue Wall Switch Module: Availability and communication are a poor show

It could have been so beautiful: The Philips Hue Wall Switch Module is a real problem solver. It turns a classic light switch, the biggest enemy of the Hue light bulbs so far, into a smart light switch, which then no longer controls the power supply but sends commands to the Hue Bridge.

After the market launch in March, there have in principle only been three short periods in which it has been possible to order both single and double packs without any problems. In the meantime, about four weeks have passed since the wall switch module could last be ordered in Germany.

There is no improvement in sight. Although the wall switch module is manufactured in Germany, Signify apparently has enormous difficulties importing the chips needed for production from Asia. However, I do not know the background to this.

Actually, retailers in Europe should also start selling the module in the coming weeks, which has so far been “offered” exclusively in the Philips Hue online shop. I can hardly imagine that the plans made in February are still up to date.

In the end, the whole thing is a real indictment in my view. In a recent survey, almost a third of Hueblog readers remarked that they would like to buy the module but have not been successful so far. Many more readers want to buy more modules, but can't.

What makes the whole thing even worse: On the part of the manufacturer, there is no information whatsoever for the interested customer. When can the next delivery be expected? Why can't people simply pre-order and be given a delivery date? Unfortunately, this is a pretty weak performance from a global company like Signify.