FabianJust yesterday I was able to tell you that Philips Hue will launch its own smart home camera. This was leaked by Eric Rondolat, the CEO of the manufacturer Signify, during the announcement of the quarterly figures. However, as I know by now, Philips Hue's new security system will not consist of just one camera.
Four different Philips Hue cameras starting at 199.95 euros
Philips Hue will launch several cameras at once, three of them even in black and white. While not much is known about the technical details, the presumed prices have already been leaked. I can also tell you that at least one of the cameras is equipped with a rechargeable battery and will therefore work without an external power supply.
- Hue Camera Wired (black/white) for 199,95 Euro
- Hue Camera Wired Desktop (black/white) for 229,99 Euro
- Hue Camera Battery (black/white) for 249,95 Euro
- Hue Flood Light Camera for 349,95 Euro
Contact sensors in two different colours
The Hue security system of lights and cameras is complemented by a new contact sensor. I am assuming the usual hardware here, i.e. a sensor module and a magnet – very similar to the example shown on the cover picture above. The way it works should be quickly explained: If a door or window is opened, the sensor registers the new status and can switch on a light, for example. Philips Hue will sell the contact sensor in black and white.
- Hue Contact Sensor (black/white) for 39,95 Euro
- Hue Contact Sensor Twin Pack (black/white) for 69,95 Euro
Philips Hue delivers 12-volt spots for the first time
MR16 spots with GU5.3 bases are very popular, especially in bathrooms and when using cable systems, mostly installed behind a 12 volt transformer. Until now, if you wanted to make such lighting smart, you had to use to third-party lights. Now Philips Hue will also bring such small MR16 spots onto the market.
- Hue White Ambiance 12V MR16 Spot
- Hue White Ambiance 12V MR16 Spot Twin Pack for 64,95 Euro
- Hue White and Color Ambiance 12V MR16 Spot for 64,95 Euro
- Hue White and Color Ambiance 12V MR16 Spot Twin Pack for 109,95 Euro
Hue Festavia string lights now twice as long
The Hue Festavia string lights, which was launched last year, returns this autumn. And here I have some bad news for you: While the chain of lights cost 159.95 euros last year, the list price will most likely rise to 219.95 euros. In addition to the 20-metre-long chain of lights with 250 LEDs, there will be a version twice as long with 500 LEDs, which will probably cost 359.95 euros. Those are pretty steep prices – but at least there is the possibility of a price reduction in the shops.
- Hue Festavia string lights 250 LEDs for 219,95 Euro
- Hue Festavia string lights 500 LEDs for 359,95 Euro
A third variant, possibly a shorter light chain, could be offered exclusively in the online shop of Philips Hue.
What else could be coming
After official product photos surfaced, there have been rumours about a second-generation Hue Play HMDI Sync Box for some time. Whether this will be introduced in August or September, I cannot say exactly. I think the return of the discontinued Lightguide models is rather unlikely.
The Matter integration, which was promised last year but postponed in spring, is still open. Philips Hue could provide new information on this during the product presentation.
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Whilst these are interesting additions, even though the prices is extremely high, it brings back the same limitation of the hub.
Assuming that the contact sensors or camera must be registered in the hub to integrate with the lights, the number of “accessories” is extremely limited.
Even in a small house with a contact sensor on each window or door you would already hit the accessories limit.
I would love to buy the contact sensors to automate with the lights & Alexa but I’m simply at my hub limit so cannot add anymore
I hope Philips lets us store the footage from the cameras on network-attached storage device. I don’t want my footage to leave my network.
Ideally, Philips should create a new Hue Bridge that can be connected to a storage device, such as an SSD via a USB-C port. The current Hue Bridge is really showing its age.
I’d imagine a company like Signify will go down the “subscription” route for storage as a way to have a constant income from the products like everyone else.
I’d also only consider paying the high prices if the camera had the option for USB or network storage (ftp, nas or even dropbox/gdrive)
Hopefully they will release a recessed contact sensor like the Abode Recessed Door/Window Sensor.
I don’t want the sensor to be visible, just like the Hue Wall Module that is hidden.
What we really need is a HUB that at least support 4 times as many units.
The hassle trying to get two hubs working in one app is extremely complex.
Imagine being this priviledged to have space for 200+ smart lighting and accessories in your home.
Agreed…
For me it’s the accessory limit rather than the lights.
I’d assume that the camera and contact switches would count as accessories so after a couple of rooms you’d be blocked with a single hub.
Even before these new devices, they needed a hub designed for the future.
Now even more so.
I won’t buy any more hue products until they fix this.
Even a “software” solution wouldn’t be too hard to implement which would allow multiple hubs to be linked together & used on the same account with alexa/apple/google home
We dont need any of this but whe DO need a hub capable of adding more devices
Mandatory we need new hub with more limit comment. My dimmer switch eats up memory for each preset of colors, one can see the -12 rules or so with each new dimmer in the free hue essentials app. I reset them and configure just the things I need. Good thing is that I can offload stone functionality to the home assistant server. But the speed of light changing is better natively.