Hue Secure cameras are finally integrated in Apple Home

In addition to the new hardware, Philips Hue has also announced numerous new software features today. In this article, I would like to give you an initial overview before going into more detail about the individual features at a later date. MotionAware in particular deserves its own article.

Hue MotionAware comes exclusively with the Hue Bridge Pro

There are two hurdles you need to overcome in order to use Hue MotionAware. To turn your lights into motion sensors, you need to have a new Hue Bridge Pro. You also need a paid Hue Secure subscription if you want to use motion detection for security functions. Motion detection alone, on the other hand, is free of charge.

Over 95 percent of Philips Hue lighting products support MotionAware, so there’s a very good chance that you’ll be able to use your existing lights for motion detection. At least three can be combined into a virtual zone in which motion is then detected.

Sonos and Philips Hue announce partnership

I already told you about this a while ago, and now this collaboration is official: Sonos Voice Control will soon allow you to control Philips Hue smart lighting. Of course, you’ll need Sonos smart speakers to do this.

Hue Secure with free video recording and integration with Apple Home

There are several improvements to Hue Secure, finally making the cameras and the new doorbell a really exciting alternative for the smart home.

For example, video recording for the last 24 hours will be free of charge. A paid subscription will only be necessary if you want to access past events for a longer period of time. If 24 hours is enough for you to store important events locally, you won’t have to pay anything extra for Hue Secure.

Later this year, the wired Hue Secure cameras, the wired 2K doorbell camera, and the contact sensors will be integrated into Apple Home. This is a feature that has been in high demand since the launch of Hue Secure two years ago.

Another feature that Philips Hue announced at the beginning of the year is also about to be launched. • Wired cameras can now detect alarms from conventional smoke detectors and send a push notification via the Hue app in the event of an alarm.

AI assistant now launching worldwide

The new AI assistant was actually promised for August, but the schedule could not quite be met. After its launch in Benelux in early 2025, the feature is now also available in other countries – but only in English. The AI assistant is able to understand contexts in order to recommend or even create lighting scenes based on mood, preferred style, or a specific occasion. Soon, the AI assistant will also help with the creation of automations.

AI will also be used in the Hue Sync app for PC. There is a new synchronization mode that uses artificial intelligence to identify the most relevant events on the screen, creating an even more intense and dynamic entertainment experience.