'C by GE' Smart LED Light Bulbs Will Support HomeKit This Summer

[splogue]

I'm lost why GE would made two bulbs that look identical to each other which will just create confusion. Why not make one bulb that can produce both light types. Hue is way ahead of GE in this.

One of the GE bulbs can do three settings: warmest, warm, white
The other bulb can do one setting: warm

Both can be controlled by their app. The one that can do all three settings is more expensive.

Hue makes a bulb that can do only one light but is controllable called the Hue White.
They make another one that can vary how warm it is called the Hue Ambiance.
And a third that can do all that plus color called the Hue White and Color Ambiance.

The difference is capability and cost, same as the GE bulbs. That's why there are two.

 

[M.PaulCezanne]

So Russian hackers can know my sleep patterns and lighting preferences? NO THANKS PUTIN!

 

[ohio.emt]

I don't really see the benefit of these smart bulbs if they are still at the mercy of a 'dumb' switch on the wall. A smart switch that can be controlled manually at the source or remotely makes much more sense.

I can see the draw for some of the smart color changing lights if you have that need, but for pure on/off home automation needs, it seems clunky to make the individual bulb the point of contact.

It depends upon the wiring in your house, how many bulbs would be on the switch, and cost. All the switches I've seen require a neutral wire, and some house wiring don't have them at the switch. So you would have to pull one to the switch box. Also if you just have one bulb on the switch it can be cheaper to go with a bulb. Most switches I've seen cost about $30, and you can get a bulb for half that.

 

[ScottHammet]

"A new C-Reach hub with HomeKit support..."

The main disadvantage of all these one-off solutions that each need to have their own proprietary hub, and with HomeKit in general, is their reliance on WiFi and/or Bluetooth. There are better technologies for the transport layer, like z-wave, that get stronger, and can reach farther, the more devices you have--mesh network--not weaker. WiFi or Bluetooth are fine if you live in an appartment or small home, or your router/controller/hub is 20 feet from what you want to control. But if you have multiple levels, or bedrooms that are on the opposite end of the house from the router/controller/hub, these bulbs and locks are frequently unreachable.

At this point, HomeKit is falling so far behind everyone else, it's pretty much lost it's chance at gaining a foothold. I wanted so badly for Apple to bring their User Experience magic to the home automation space, but that hasn't really happened. And they continue to fall farther behind...you still can't script a scene to do anything interesting. Home automation is a lawless frontier if you really want to go all-in and automate lots of things, in terms of the controller/hub technology. But it's still possible to achieve if you invest the time to tinker. Vera isn't perfect, but it's about as open and flexible as they come.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I have a Hue system but doubt I'll be buying any new bulbs for it now that LIFX has a Homekit "no-base need" bulb. Bases were fine when the tech was new but why would anyone buy any smarthome produce requiring a base now with baseless options available?

And for lights using a single-pole switch why not just buy a Homekit switch instead of a bulb. Then you have maximum choice in bulbs as long as you don't need a multicolor bulb -- and honestly how many of those does one really need? In my Hue experience it's kind of a gimmick. Certainly not something I need or want in every room.

 

[ignatius345]

One of the GE bulbs can do three settings: warmest, warm, white
The other bulb can do one setting: warm

Both can be controlled by their app. The one that can do all three settings is more expensive.

Hue makes a bulb that can do only one light but is controllable called the Hue White.
They make another one that can vary how warm it is called the Hue Ambiance.
And a third that can do all that plus color called the Hue White and Color Ambiance.

The difference is capability and cost, same as the GE bulbs. That's why there are two.

This is a helpful breakdown, thanks!