In recent years, I have been repeatedly confronted with support requests on this very topic, and now Philips Hue has finally integrated a solution into its app. With version 5.43 of the Hue app, which is already available in the Apple App Store and will soon also be available in the Google Play Store, a small accessory trap has been fixed.
Almost ten years after the launch of the second-generation Hue Bridge, Philips Hue continues to work on the security of its control hub. The firmware of the Hue Bridge has now been updated once again and software version 1971060010 is now available. Among other things, this update has improved the security of the system.
Philips Hue has been offering its Hue Secure products for more than a year and a half now, including several cameras and contact sensors for windows and doors. However, one particularly important function is still missing: location-based control of the system. Until now, you have always had to manually select in the Hue app whether you are currently at home or whether the system should be armed when you are away.
In April 2019, Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, acquired the French company WiZ. Since then, it has been operating as a low-budget brand with WiFi connectivity right next to the top dog Philips Hue. Now I ask myself: could the products of the two brands WiZ and Philips Hue soon be compatible with each other?
After almost exactly four weeks, there is finally a new update for the Philips Hue app in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Version 5.42.0 of the Hue app is now available for download, meaning that 5.41.0 has been omitted. What has changed in the new version? For the first time, it is now possible to hide the master switch on the home page.
It’s incredible how quickly time flies. Almost exactly ten years ago, Philips Hue introduced its still current Bridge (see header image). Back then, it was a modern piece of technology that was even made compatible with Apple HomeKit shortly afterwards. But one limit has never changed since then: The maximum number of connected lamps.
I currently only have a wired Hue Secure camera in use, which performs its tasks reliably within the limits of its capabilities. However, I keep reading about problems with the battery-powered Hue Secure cameras in the comments and on social media. What is particularly interesting is that not all cameras seem to be affected by the problems, some of which are considerable.
We’re bridging the bridge between the public holiday and the weekend in Germany with two small firmware updates for Philips Hue. There is new software for the Philips Hue Bridge and the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K. However, there are no major innovations, I can already say that in advance.
I’ve already introduced you to some Hue apps for the Mac in the past, but today I have an application for Windows for you. However, this also means that because I don’t have a PC with Windows, I haven’t been able to try ActiveHue out for myself yet. But that’s not a big problem, as the software can be downloaded free of charge from the developer’s website.
Equipping a second TV in the house with a Philips Hue HDMI Sync Box is not as easy as it might sound. The big problem is not even the price, after all, even the “old” Sync Box costs at least 200 euros and then there’s a good 150 to 200 euros for the Play Lightstrip on top of that.
Fabian