Next week Philips Hue will introduce new products. The opportunity will also be taken to announce the return of the popular Festavia string lights, which will be available in stores as early as mid-September. But not only that: we also already know that, in addition to the familiar 20-metre-long string of lights, there will also be a model twice as long with 500 LEDs.
When the first filament light bulbs from Philips Hue appeared a few years ago, we initially had to make do with a simple warm white. In the meantime, the “light bulbs” in the classic design are also available as White Ambiance, but we still have to do without colours with Philips Hue.
The clock keeps ticking down. After I was already able to discover the first images for you at the FCC, Dave Zatz has now been able to discover further graphics on his blog. In an update of the Android app, more hints about the new Philips Hue security cameras have been hidden.
Once again, it’s time to take a look at the App Store. Because there are two updates available for our favourite smart lighting system. In addition to the official Philips Hue app, the third-party application iConnectHue has also been updated, with which you can configure your lamps and accessories even more professionally.
The launch of the Philips Hue smart home cameras is imminent. Two of the total of four models planned have now passed certification with the US regulatory authority FCC. This gives us a first rough look at the design and also provides further technical insights. The first images of the black version of the camera have appeared in the approval documents, and there will also be white models.
Now that TV manufacturer TP Vision has completely abolished the Ambilight+Hue function in the latest TV generation and the “smart” app is still only available for Samsung TVs, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is currently the best way to have up to ten Hue lamps light up to match the content on the TV.
Not only new hardware is in the starting blocks, because Philips Hue will also get new software features. In addition to the already promised launch of Matter, for which there is still no concrete date, they are also preparing three new effects. Supported light sources can display the candle and fireplace effects so far.
In September, Philips Hue will launch some new products, besides the completely new security system and the second generation of the Philips Hue Festavia string lights, there will also be new spots. With them, Philips Hue will close a gap in its own product range, because until now, spots were only available with GU10 sockets.
Last year, Philips Hue launched its first Festavia string lights at the last minute, with sales at the time limited to the company’s own online shop. This year, they have a little more time for preparations – and it will be exciting in more ways than one. We already clarified a few weeks ago that there will be three versions.
I have reported about BridgeWrapper several times in the past. With the small Alexa skill, more than one bridge could be connected to Amazon’s voice assistant. A feature that Philips Hue itself has not been able to get up and running until now. Unfortunately, it already became apparent at the end of last year that BridgeWrapper was too successful.
Fabian