Philips Hue smart home cameras officially announced

The word is probably out by now, but now it's official: Philips Hue is expanding its portfolio and will launch its first smart home cameras this autumn. In combination with smart lighting and the new contact sensors, Hue Secure will provide even more security in the home with its cameras.

These four cameras are being launched by Philips Hue

There is a choice of a battery-powered and a wired model, each available in black or white. The wired Hue Secure camera can be used in combination with a stand, which facilitates flexible placement in the home. The optional camera mount with ground spike makes flexible positioning of the cameras (IP65), which are designed for indoor and outdoor use, in the bed or flower pot quick and easy. For this purpose, the wired camera can be extended with a low-voltage power supply unit and the new three-metre-long Hue Outdoor cable for outdoor use. The cameras are scheduled for market launch in autumn 2023.

A little more patience is required for the Philips Hue Secure floodlight camera, which is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2024. This is a combination of Hue floodlight and camera with a common power supply. I have summarised the innovations for you in a short English-language video.

Cameras will be complemented by contact sensors

The Hue Secure portfolio is completed by small contact sensors, which we will introduce to you in a separate article. The contact sensor can be used to automate the lighting and also send push notifications when there is a change in status.

The new Security Center in the Hue app

The Philips Hue app is now equipped with a Security Center, which requires mandatory registration for use. As soon as users receive a notification, they can click on it to open the app. Via the “Perform Action” button, they can manually trigger a light or sound alarm that will light up the lights of the connected Philips Hue products and, if desired, activate the siren of the Secure camera. They can also use the button to call the local authorities or a pre-defined trusted contact directly to report the event.

The camera settings can be personalised via the Philips Hue app. Here, users can, for example, create hidden areas in order not to record certain parts of the image, such as the street or neighbouring properties. Or they can set up focus areas for movements so that, for example, the flag fluttering in the wind in the front garden does not trigger a motion detection every time. Through the Philips Hue app, people can activate or deactivate the system, set up special activation states, view a timeline of key past events and more.

Additional security features, such as the option to set up individual activity zones or the ability to see if the alarm was triggered by a dropped package, animal or vehicle, can be unlocked and used via paid Hue Secure subscriptions. With the Basic subscription, video sequences of events are stored in the cloud for 30 days and even up to 60 days with the Plus subscription.

These are the prices of the Philips Hue cameras

• Philips Hue Secure wired camera in black or white: 199,99 Euro / 229,99 Euro (with stand)
• Philips Hue Secure battery-powered camera in black or white: 249,99 Euro
• Philips Hue Floodlight Camera in black (from Q1 2024): 349,99 Euro

The accessories of the Hue Secure cameras at a glance

• Philips Hue Secure camera mount with ground spike: 39,99 Euro
• Philips Hue Secure stand in black or white: 49,99 Euro
• Philips Hue Secure low voltage outdoor charging cable: 29,99 Euro
• Philips Hue Secure anti-drop cable: 14,99 Euro

These are subscription prices for Hue Secure

Philips Hue Secure Basic Subscription: 3,99 Euro per month / 39,99 Euro per year – each for one camera

Philips Hue Secure Plus subscription: 9,99 Euro per month / 99,99 Euro per year – each for multiple cameras