iConnectHue received another update yesterday and you can now download version 5.7 from the App Store on iPhone and iPad. And there is some interesting news, as four new effects from Philips Hue are already available in the third-party app. So if you can’t wait any longer to use Cosmos, Underwater, Enchant and Sunbeam in the Hue app, the new effects are now available in iConnectHue – but only for members or with a 2024 package.
At the beginning of September, Philips Hue not only presented several new products at the Internationale Funkausstellung in Berlin, but also numerous new software features. For example, the multi-bridge support was explained in detail and an impressive augmented reality function was shown. Unfortunately, I didn’t actually think to enquire about the possible backup function, which I reported on earlier this year.
One question has been asked again and again over the past few days, perhaps because of the announcement of the new Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K: When is the Hue Sync app finally coming to other TVs? A year and a half after its launch, the €129 application is still only available on Samsung televisions.
Philips Hue introduced new GU10 spotlights in the summer, with the White Ambiance and White and Color Ambiance models in particular benefiting from significant improvements. The new spots now achieve an impressive 350 lumens with standard white, and 400 lumens with 4,000 Kelvin. In addition, “deep dimming” is now possible and the service life has been increased from 15,000 to 25,000 hours.
Exactly 20 years ago, the first Philips TV with integrated Ambilight was presented at IFA 2004. Since then, 35 million TVs have been sold and 80 percent of buyers do not want to do without the backlight on their next TV. I feel the same way, so today I would like to take a look back and ahead.
On Thursday, Philips Hue presented its new products for the autumn. The launch of the new multi-bridge support is certainly particularly exciting for many power users, but what really impressed me at the demo event in Berlin was the new augmented reality for virtually trying out Hue products. At the IFA 2024 event in Berlin, Philips Hue did not provide any specific details about these two functions or the launch of the new effects.
Anyone 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.
There have been many rumours, but now the time has finally come: the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K has been officially unveiled. There are some improvements, but no big surprises – except perhaps the price, which is even higher at $349.99. For comparison: the ‘previous’ Sync Box without HDMI 2.1 is still being sold for $269.99.
If you’ve bought a new kitchen in the last few years, you’ll have quickly realised: Permanently installed lighting is pretty expensive, but it’s really not smart. It’s not without reason that I keep getting enquiries about which Hue products can be installed in the kitchen. Now Philips Hue has teamed up with kitchen manufacturer Nobilia to finally solve this problem.
My colleague Frederick and many other Hue users in Europe have had it hanging above their dining table for several years now. We’re talking about the Philips Hue Ensis, because the pendant light is perfect for this task. The Ensis is now also available in North America. At $479.99, the price is not necessarily low, but it’s worth it.
Fabian