I’m using my time on the train home to bring you up to date on the latest software developments. Yesterday, we had our team meeting in Hanover, and on Thursday, we had the Philips Hue Christmas dinner in Hamburg. There, I actually picked up two previously announced items that are not yet available for purchase.
Some of you have already received the new Hue Bridge Pro, while others may still be considering purchasing it. After returning from Berlin, I took half an hour this morning to start transferring data from one of my old Hue Bridges to the new Hue Bridge Pro. I have summarized exactly how this worked in this short guide for you.
Just under a week before the launch of the new products, which you are now well informed about, Philips Hue has begun distributing a software update for the existing Hue Bridge. You should receive software version 1973038060 in the next few days. Normally, it will be installed automatically, or you will be notified when you open the Hue app that the update is necessary and now available.
The Philips Hue Bridge is a well-known gadget, and the current generation has been with us for around 10 years now. Many of us would like to see a more powerful model with more memory to finally eliminate the limit of around 60 lamps. We all know that the current Hue Bridge has three status LEDs.
When I reported on the firmware update for Philips Hue bulbs and lights last week, there were some critical comments, particularly on the english version of Hueblog, that the article did not contain any information. I found that a bit of a shame, because many users are wondering about the new software version, but Philips Hue has not provided any information so far.
Not a single month has passed this year without an update for the Philips Hue Bridge. Although it is already a good 10 years old, the control center is not yet ready for the scrap heap. Philips Hue is currently distributing software version 1972004020 with minor adjustments and improvements. The update primarily serves to adapt the Hue Bridge to the new devices.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Fabian