Over the past few days, I’ve received more and more messages from you and when I was in the shower this morning, my switched-on Hue lights also flickered briefly. I immediately realized that this could only be the firmware update that some of you have already received. A look at the Hue app confirmed this: Almost all my light bulbs have automatically updated to software version 1.122.2.
I’m not really familiar with the Android world, but I could imagine that something like this has existed there for some time. With iOS 18, Apple has expanded Dark Mode and now also offers darkening on the home screen. To be more precise, app icons can be darkened. However, this still requires the help of the app developers in some cases, including Philips Hue.
On 3 October, Philips Hue released another update to its official application in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Version 5.27 is particularly interesting for owners of a current iPhone and iPad, as it integrates a new augmented reality function. This allows you to try out numerous Philips Hue products virtually within your own four walls.
Halloween is still four weeks away and there’s still some time before the real spookiness starts. If you want to start preparing for Halloween, you can now find the familiar Halloween scenes in the Philips Hue app again. No update is required, you can simply take a look at the Hue light scenes gallery.
The official Philips Hue online store is now also running one or two sales. For us in Germany, this is often not particularly exciting, as there are often quite attractive deals at other online retailers. But thanks to hueblog.com, some other countries are also reading along here – and things can look quite different here.
Without a major app update, Philips Hue activated a long-awaited function on the server side on Monday. You can now find the “Do not disturb my scene” function previously known from Hue Labs directly in the Hue app. It can be used with the Philips Hue motion detector, with the Outdoor Sensor and also with the motion detection of the Hue Secure cameras.
Yesterday evening, Philips Hue released an update for its application. After the announcement at the beginning of September, we are waiting for some exciting features, but unfortunately I have to disappoint you here. It’s only a small update – but I don’t want to leave it unmentioned for the sake of completeness.
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.
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.
Fabian