FabianAnyone who has more than one bridge in their home knows the problem. Controlling the lighting in the Hue app is simply no fun, especially if you always have to switch back and forth between two or more bridges. The first multi-bridge support will be released this year, which is currently still in beta testing.
Hue inventor George Yianni has already demonstrated the new function to me at IFA 2024. Even if not all the features you could wish for are integrated at the start, the whole story looks pretty promising.
One very positive aspect, for example, is that the Hue app home page does not simply list the various Bridges with their individual rooms. The order can be chosen completely freely, so you can freely mix zones and rooms from different Bridges. This will definitely make it much easier to control large Hue systems.
However, some functions will only follow over time. For example, an option to fully integrate a home with multiple Bridges into Amazon Alexa. And the control of lights on Bridge A using switches and sensors from Bridge B is also something that will be looked at in the future.
Some features of Hue Secure, on the other hand, are already included in the multi-bridge support. For example, a light alarm triggered by you in the app or by a Secure accessory can make the lights flash throughout the house, even if they are distributed across several Hue Bridges.
These are the other planned software updates
As I have already announced, there will be four new effects. Cosmos, Underwater, Magic World and Sunbeam. In addition, all effects – both old and new – can be further personalised by adjusting the intensity (i.e. brightness and speed of the colour changes) and the base colour.
Switches and sensors are also becoming even more intelligent. The new features include, for example, the frequently requested ‘Do not disturb’ function, which prevents paired motion sensors from changing the scene as soon as they detect movement. It will also be possible to activate and deactivate presence simulation and set timers via a Philips Hue switch.
An augmented reality option for the Hue app on iOS is a new addition to the market. From autumn 2024, you will be able to try out selected Hue products virtually in your home. This already looked pretty impressive at the event, but requires at least an iPhone 12 Pro (Max) or newer or an iPad Pro from 2020 or newer. The prerequisite for using augmented reality is a LiDAR sensor in the device.
The new functions for Hue Secure at a glance
- Philips Hue Secure cameras will soon be compatible with Alexa and Google Home, allowing you to access voice control and watch live streams from the cameras on compatible devices such as Echo Show, Fire TV and the Google Nest Hub, as well as in the Alexa app and the Google Home app.
- Routines are coming for Hue Secure cameras to customise them to your personal daily routine and ensure they are always activated when needed.
- Thanks to the new energy-saving function for battery-powered Hue Secure Cameras, you can manage and extend the battery life of your battery-powered cameras.
There is no exact timetable for any of the software functions mentioned in this article. They will be integrated into the Hue app over the course of the year. When the time comes, you will of course find the relevant information here on the blog.
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Why don’t they sell a hub Pro? One that is able to have 3 or more times the capacity. I don’t want two hubs i want more Hue!
A Hub Pro with extra capacity does seem to be an obvious answer if the tech is possible. If they want to keep selling you Hue kit you’d think they would havew overcome this obvious flaw in the existing setup.
Obviously the tech is possible,. If it weren’t possible in a specific area, then using multiple bridges wouldn’t work either, if you think about it logically. Think about putting three current bridges in a box and having the software abstract which was being used for which zone so that thr end user didn’t have to know or care.
That’s effectively what a pro device would do.
That Hue has spent nearly s decade unable to understand the need for this abstraction suggests they have some.lf the dumbest developers on the planet
Other zigbee hubs can handle more lights so it’s defiantly possible.
I personally use 4 hubs via HomeKit and it’s seemless. I can even use the hue buttons to control other devices like blinds. Cross hubs is a breeze and it’s fast.
My main concerns with the crappy hub is the button press – for third party apis and no backups at all.
A Hub Pro is definitely the way to go for me too with WiFi.
I don’t want 2 power supplies, 2 network cables, 2 hubs etc
It’s the reason I have stopped buying new products because I cannot integrate them into my indoor hub & use with Alexa
I could have spent literally hundreds on Hue products in the last five years that I haven’t because their own crappy bridge won’t support my wanting to throw more money at them.
As a software engineer myself, I know exactly how this would be a month’s job to sort out in firmware on a pro device, judging zigby channels. Again, that they’ve spent a decade shooting themselves in the financial foot by discouraging their most spendthrift fans is kind of astonishing.
Until things can work seamlessly with Alexa, my wallet remains shut to them.
Does anyone know if the new IKEA hub has a larger device capacity than the Hue Bridge?
It was only released this year so should be more capable than the Hue Bridge that’s been out for quite a long time now.
Maybe, but smart lighting with Ikea bridge has much less functions.
Dirigera is capable of maximum 100 devices. At the end of the day that is not that much more than the Hue Bridge, as you can connect 63 lights and easily 20 other devices.
A function that I miss most is to be able to control Hue Hubs at different locations remotely. We currently have bridges on 3 different locations and it is a shame you can only control one remotely via the Hue app.
I currently can do it via Apple Home at two locations, but it is strange to put it mildly that you need to use a third party products to make this work.
Would be nice to make it POE capable. I hate bringing two cables everywhere instead of one.
Please.
👍 PoE standard compliant, please.
💭 Although, you could use a PoE splitter in the meantime to accomplish this.