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Philips Partners with Apple on Their Own Wi-Fi-Enabled, User-Controlled Colored Bulb

By Rain Noe - November 30, 2012

in Tech | Lighting | UX

Remember the LIFX, the wi-fi-enabled smart LED bulb? While its Kickstarter funding period ended two weeks ago (well past its $100,000 target with $1.3 mil in pledges), there's no word on when production will begin; on November 12th the LIFX team wrote that "It's not possible to make final [production decisions] until we perform detailed thermal modeling and standardized measurements of light output, color rendering index, white balance agility, etc."

In the meantime Philips has been stumping for their own wi-fi-enabled, color changing offering, the Hue bulb. Interestingly, one of their marketing points is that you can select the output color (using an iDevice) via a method that will be familiar to Photoshop eyedrop tool users. Check it out:

Being the corporate giant that they are, Philips has adopted an interesting marketing technique: They've chosen to make the device available only through Apple Stores (both online and brick-and-mortar), taking preorders now and shipping in several months. At 200 bucks for a three-bulb starter pack the things ain't cheap, though they're about the same cost as the LIFX's initial $69 Kickstarter buy-in.

Rogue retailers, by the way, are re-selling Hues through Amazon at an usurious $100 per bulb; it remains to be seen if Philips will crack down.

On LIFX's Kickstarter comments page, some expressed skepticism about this project; but internet trollage aside, if Philips has thrown their weight behind a similar concept, you can bet they've concluded there's a market. Now we'll have to see whether it's David or Goliath that wins this early battle in the smartbulb war.

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Tim Rowledge

12 years ago

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And related links of some interest -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20553143

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-29/bill-watkinss-at-no-and-bright-idea#r=tec-s

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Austin

12 years ago

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Do people use colored light bulbs? That is so gross, and I don't know why.
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Reality

12 years ago

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When people are willing to pay $2 for 500ml of water (which is bloody free!!!!) it does not surprise me that a lightbulb can sell for $70

The price is bound to come down as demand for volume increases.
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Tim Rowledge

12 years ago

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Also look at the Insteon led networked bulb; the insteon ecology is pretty useful. Bulbs are about $30, you'd need a modem equivalent but that works to control all devices.
Works nicely in my house.
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Michael

12 years ago

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HUE is kinda awesome, bought some. But...I think LIFX has a better overall design, HUE seems sorta rushed I think they did it in response, and the app is pretty bad. Plus with the bay station its not the most useful in many ways.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sparkdevices/spark-upgrade-your-lights-with-wi-fi-and-apps this one is also intriguing though, its more just a point for any lightbulb to be placed into, but its pretty intriguing.
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topher

12 years ago

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Well done, Gavin. Well done.
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brownsmart

12 years ago

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all that money when you can get this.
http://www.laptopscreenonline.com/remote-controlled-rgb-led-6-watts-light-bulb-50000-hours-20955-p.asp
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Andrew

12 years ago

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I agree it is not cheap but look at the possibilities. Next to the advertised benefits this system could be your morning wake up alarm or could light up the house at certain times when you are (so it looks like you are there). Hopefully this technology will be open so designers, manufacturers and developers can use it to make fixtures, appliances, apps... etc. (f.e light follows the movie your watching or music that plays).
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Gavin

12 years ago

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$97.00 is a small price to pay for the connectivity that this lightbulb will add to your life. Expect guests to marvel at it's advanced WiFi enabled color control, and your friends at your sound budgeting aptitude.Your lover will throw herself into your beckoning embrace and vow never to leave. "I want to be here forever", she'll say, her silklike cheeks brushing your neck. Her hair smells like Garnier Fructis, and your lightbulb like the promising odor of the future.
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Paul

12 years ago

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Would you really wanna buy a lightbulb that probably doesn't give the brightness that the video suggests?

they do a better mood lighting system here i think:
http://www.philips.co.uk/c/choose-your-luminaire/livingcolors-clear-6914360pu/prd/
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