Last Tuesday, Philips Hue released a major update for its own app. Among other things, a function was added to start and stop the new sleep automations with a switch. However, so far only Tap Dial Switch, wall switch modules, Tap and Friends of Hue switches are supported. However, this should change soon, as a recently released software update for the Hue Bridge shows.
The Hueblog readership also experienced the problem that I had to report on at the beginning of the week: dimmed Philips Hue lamps can suddenly light up with 100 per cent brightness. Signify, the manufacturer of Philips Hue, had pointed out an error in the communication with the smart home standard Matter.
The Philips Hue Bridge is the centrepiece of the system and is updated with new software at regular intervals. The new firmware version 1964061010 has been available to install for a few days now; the previous number was 1963171020. The update includes the following new features: Resolved an issue where, in rare cases, specific non-Hue lights would fail to connect to the Bridge Updated time zones and Daylight Saving Time settings Improved performance and reliability of the system
Back in February, I was able to make a pleasant discovery on the Hue website: Philips Hue is planning support for multiple Hue Brigdes linked to one account later this year. So far, Philips Hue has only issued a rather brief statement: Have more than one Bridge? Later this year, you’ll be able to add multiple Bridges to one account and sort them into Homes to keep your system organized.
The Philips Hue Bridge is known to be designed for 50 lights. What was a pretty generous mark ten years ago is now exceeded by miles in many households. The only way out so far, as long as you want to remain loyal to Philips Hue, is to install a second or third Hue Bridge.
Last week, Philips Hue released a firmware update for the Hue Bridge, which should have automatically installed on your system by now. It revolves around the software version 1962097030. Among other things, it fixes the problem where some users were unable to connect to Apple Home via HomeKit. As we have now found out, HomeKit is much more stable than the new Matter.
It is one of the demands that Philips Hue users have repeatedly made: A backup function for the Bridge to be able to restore the installation that was set up with great care if the worst comes to the worst. I have never experienced a hardware defect that would make a backup necessary over the years, but you never know.
Apple introduced a new HomeKit architecture this year with iOS 16.4. Apart from the fact that the iPad can no longer be used as a home hub, not much has changed in terms of handling the system. However, there is a big change in the interaction with Philips Hue. Pairing with HomeKit is now only possible if you use a home hub in the same network.
The update of the Philips Hue app to version 5.6, which is expected before Christmas, is still a long way off. However, new firmware for the Hue Bridge has been released in the last few days. You may have already received version 1961135030. You can check this in the settings of the Hue app.
There is one thing that really bothers me about Philips Hue: I have not been able to manage with one Hue Bridge in my house for a long time. The first problems can occur with 50 or more connected lamps, the hard limit is 63 lamps. And with several rooms and the outdoor area, this limit is reached more quickly than you might think.
Fabian
Frederick