FabianAt the end of the year, Philips Hue has once again delivered a comprehensive update this week. Version 5.57 is now available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and not only offers the new multi-bridge migration, but also numerous other new features. And that’s exactly what I’d like to tell you more about today.
Let’s start with the question: How many lights and switches do I currently have in use? From now on, you no longer have to count them yourself. Simply open the settings in the Hue app and tap on Devices. The respective number will then be displayed on the right-hand side. I currently have 92 lights, 25 switches, 7 sensors, 2 chimes, and 1 doorbell. How about you?
When you open the list of your lights and smart plugs, a new filter helps you keep things tidy. You can search not only by room, but also by different types of lights: lights, light strips, lamps, and spots are available. In the detailed view of the sensors, Philips Hue now also provides information on the best possible placement or battery replacement.
Hue Secure cameras can now detect smoke detectors
If you have classic smoke detectors and wired Hue Secure cameras in your home, you can benefit from another new feature. “Your Hue Secure Wired Camera can now detect the beeping sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. When an alarm is heard, you’ll receive an instant notification, and your hue lights will automatically turn on”, according to the update description. The new option is supposed to be in the camera settings, but I haven’t been able to find it there yet. I also haven’t been able to find another new feature that is supposed to provide insights into the activities of the Security Center. Perhaps these new features are still being rolled out.
For power users, however, the highlight is likely to remain multi-bridge migration. Experiences have been mixed so far, ranging from smooth migration to new connections for some or all devices. Personally, I’m going to wait until January to have fun with it, especially now during the Christmas season.
Hmm a bold update this close to the holidays 🙂 (Hinting at support when things goes south).
Just received the Pro Hub and about to merge 2 existing hubs on this one. Fingers crossed.
Please let us know how it went. We all need these cases feedback. You will help us all with your reply. Thanks in advance.
Audio detection (smoke alarm) and the insights became available last night.
I would like to see a smoke and carbon detector from Philips Hue as an expansion on there security plan.
With integrated lights and maybe a presence detection.
Indeed, that would be a worthy addition. Look at ajax.systems for ideas I would say. They have indeed still missing these detectors.
So we ordered the Pro Hub and received it on the day this firmware update became available (to our luck).
We had 2 normal bridges and would like to consolidate them on this one pro bridge.
First things I did:
Add the new Pro Bridge so our home had 3 bridges.
Then let the firmware update happen (older bridges already upgraded)
I did reset the new bridge after firmware upgrade (might not be necessary but I like when starting fresh based on the latest firmware).
So 3 bridges to consolidate to one:
Moving first old bridge to new bridge:
As expected I had to manually move the friends of hue switches, but this was just pressing some keycombo’s and the new bridge picked them up without any reconfiguring.
No other ~60 devices needed reconfiguring.
Moving second bridge to new bridge:
Do take notice of each step as there is a warning that the new bridge is already configured and you certainly don’t want to choose this. Choose to migrate another bridge!
About ~20 devices to be migrated on this one.
This run I needed to reconfigure one dimmer switch and one doorsensor. Unlike the FoH switches you need to reconfigure them totally as they are removed from the migrated config.
Per migration it took about max ~20 minutes and all lights were full on :).
So, migrating from multiple bridged went OK (for us, i know ;)). Happy with the one, and well also a single point of failure introduced ;).
Again, really would like a backup and restore option. Its really crazy coming to think when this bridge dies I have to reconfigure ~80 lamps/devices.
anyone notice the app crashing a lot more than usual?