CES 2018: Nanoleaf Creates New Square-Shaped Light Panels With Touch Controls

[MacRumors]

After introducing a HomeKit controller in the shape of a dodecahedron, Nanoleaf recently announced the next generation of its popular triangle-shaped Nanoleaf Light Panels. The new panels don't have a name or a price yet, but the company revealed that they are square and include a few feature additions and improvements from the previous generation (via CNET).

Each square panel will include a touch sensitive surface, so you can turn them on or off, dim or increase their brightness, or change to another color preset just by tapping or sliding your finger on them. The base station for the square panels is also said to come with a microphone and motion sensor that can detect motion and alter the lighting flow of the panels as you walk by, for example.

Image via CNET​

Nanoleaf has also greatly increased the maximum limit of panels you can connect together. Instead of 30 panels able to connect to one base station (the limit on the triangular panels), up to 1,000 square panels can be outfitted together at once. Still, for every 60 panels strung together you will need a power booster -- set to be sold by Nanoleaf -- in order to "maintain optimal brightness."

Nanoleaf said that it plans to keep the new square panels "as affordable as possible," but the company isn't confirming a price range at CES. The new panels are expected to launch at some point later in 2018.

Article Link: CES 2018: Nanoleaf Creates New Square-Shaped Light Panels With Touch Controls

 

[-Ryan-]

I imagine a 1,000 panel wall of these would cost $50,000+. Not to be seen in a living room near you any time soon. Seems more likely to be used in a restaurant, hotel or shop.

 

[PG(Austin)]

You're on Living Room Confessions!! You're chance to win $5000! Are you ready to play?

 

[DeepIn2U]

8-bit wall paradise! Flynn would be proud.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

If I ever hit the lottery, I'll be all over this, lol.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

Quick math here. The triangular panels are ~ 0.252278 sq ft. A 30-pack (most econimical advertised) costs $552.43. That’s $72.99 per sq ft.

The image above shows panels stacked 16 high (assuming an 8 ft wall would make these 6” square.) The wall then would be ~ 8’ x 22.5’, or 180 sq ft.

180 sq ft @ $72.99 / sq ft = $13,138.20

An expensive proposition for most, but completely within the realm of possibility for most wealthy individuals.

 

[xizdun]

Now this is definitely cool, Nanoleaf. Nice work! Mind you, I'm not paying more than $10 per panel.

 

[pete2106]

I love the triangle panels, have a gunmetal grey wall with about 12 panels in my computer room, but at £20 per panel it's a bit much to use as extensively as this. Also, them saying they're gonna try and keep them as affordable as possible means they are going to be more expensive per tile.

 

[PlainviewX]

Nanoleaf stuff is priced way too high for consumer applications beyond people looking to have a "cool" factor. Having said that, if I had the coin, I'd think about it.

 

[jmgregory1]

They need some significant commercial customers to buy into using these panels in order to help drive costs down, if they ever expect to sell to consumers (in any kind of volume).

 

[DeepIn2U]

I’m curious just how much it would cost to build grid ourselves using LED panels sourced from the manufacturer?

 

[pete2106]

I wonder if we'll be able to connect the triangle panels to the square panels. That would change my mind about getting more.

 

[dannyyankou]

I thought the whole point of HomeKit and echo devices was to move away from manual switches? $59.99 for a button is a bit ridiculous.

 

[AbSoluTc]

Love me some Nanoleaf.. I have the Aurora kit and extras. However, it's pretty expensive for what it is. Simple idea. I can't imagine doing an entire wall. The costs would be killer. They need to come down a bit first.

 

[hobbbz]

I’m curious just how much it would cost to build grid ourselves using LED panels sourced from the manufacturer?

Will you write your own app and self-sign it to control them as well?

 

[44267547]

Article quote:

"Each square panel will include a touch sensitive surface, so you can turn them on or off, dim or increase their brightness, or change to another color preset just by tapping or sliding your finger on them."

I have to admit, I find that innovative where each panel is controllable through Touch. In the world of switches and toggles, I like that these can controlled manually to a select setting, Even though this Product would likely never reach my home.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

How long does it take to tap all the lights on or off in that picture?

 

[Labeno]

Wow, everything is starting to have a microphone these days. Most companies have learned to weaponize capitalism, you need customer data. What better way than microphones.

 

[earthTOmitchel]

I wonder if we'll be able to connect the triangle panels to the square panels. That would change my mind about getting more.

That's a good question... it's hard to tell from the image if the sides of the squares will be the same length as the triangles, or even include the same connectors. That would be cool though, the design/shape potential would explode if they could be combined.
[doublepost=1515516778][/doublepost]If anyone wants to check out how the square panels work with touch controls, check out Nanoleaf's Instagram and look for a story they posted last night.

 

[dannys1]

Quick math here. The triangular panels are ~ 0.252278 sq ft. A 30-pack (most econimical advertised) costs $552.43. That’s $72.99 per sq ft.

The image above shows panels stacked 16 high (assuming an 8 ft wall would make these 6” square.) The wall then would be ~ 8’ x 22.5’, or 180 sq ft.

180 sq ft @ $72.99 / sq ft = $13,138.20

An expensive proposition for most, but completely within the realm of possibility for most wealthy individuals.

I reckon you could it for a lot less if you came up with your solution though - and they'd probably give you a much better price if you were to bulk buy that much.

 

[macduke]

I'm hoping to begin framing out my man cave/office in the coming months once I finalize my design plans. I'll definitely consider adding a small panel of these behind and above my desk and potential future iMac Pro. I hope they'll add the capability to have different panels control other HomeKit devices. For instance, I could have a certain colored panel set to a color based on a temperature range. If I swipe up it increases the temperature, if I swipe down it decreases the temperature. What would take it to the next level is this: Ring confirmed that their Video Doorbell Pro (which we got for Christmas) will be HomeKit compatible in a future update. It would be great to have a panel that I could touch to answer the audio on the doorbell using the microphone that comes with this kit. Then I could tap another button to unlock or lock my front door using my HomeKit deadbolt.

 

[steve knight]

the problem with nanoleaf right now is the software sucks. you can only set them to turn on the scene you choose but only at full brightness. homekit only lets you turn them on with a single color. but you can control brightness and on and off. they are supposed to get going with smartthings and that would give more automation.

 

[Falhófnir]

Ghastly.

 

[superduperultra]

You'd be better off just putting a bunch of cheap LCD display on the wall.

 

[DeepIn2U]

8-bit wall paradise! Flynn would be proud.

FYI got this official Disney Flynn shirt a few years ago at the premier showing of Tron 2. The really cool thing is the neon glow in the dark "Flynn" affect. It's 'charged' by sunlight, or incandescent light (very slowly on the latter) and when it's very dark glows. What's really odd is I can't take a picture of it directly or indirectly via a mirror!!

And it's bright too!
[doublepost=1515528910][/doublepost]

Will you write your own app and self-sign it to control them as well?

Hell no ... I just want to light up the wall. If there is a chipset that will link the panels that comes "connected" to HomeKit then I'd like to find out the cost of sourcing parts and where. If feasible I may give it a try.