iDevices' New 'Socket' Turns Traditional Light Bulbs into Smart Bulbs

[MacRumors]

iDevices today announced the launch of its latest HomeKit product, a smart light bulb socket able to turn any standard bulb into a smart bulb. The iDevices Socket, first announced at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, is a simple Wi-Fi light bulb adapter that connects to a standard bulb and gives it the ability to interface with Siri and other HomeKit-connected products.

Priced at $79, the iDevices Socket is not cheap and is in fact more expensive than other HomeKit-compatible products like Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs and smart plugs, but it does include dimming capabilities and a customizable color light ring that can be used as a night light or to add ambiance to any room. It is able to fit into any conventional lighting receptacle and is compatible with standard Edison style bulbs up to 60 watts.

The Socket can be controlled using Siri voice commands, through the iDevices app, or through any other HomeKit app. Like other HomeKit-connected products, the Socket can be organized into specific rooms and is able to be used in Scenes, timers, and other HomeKit features.

The iDevices Socket joins the company's existing line of HomeKit products, which includes the iDevices Thermostat and the iDevices Switch. In the future, iDevices plans to release additional HomeKit accessories like a wall switch and a wall outlet.

Customers can pre-order the iDevices Socket for $79 from the iDevices website starting today.

Article Link: iDevices' New 'Socket' Turns Traditional Light Bulbs into Smart Bulbs

 

[g-7]

It’s http://idevicesinc.com, not iddevicesinc.com. Just one d.

 

[zorinlynx]

$79? Why did they even bother?

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

The high cost of these things just makes them non starters for most. When I can get an affordable and good looking smart enabled light switch (not light bulb) then I'll probably make the switch. Most of my light fittings have multiple bulbs - some have 5 and I've already invested in good quality LED bulbs at ~£10 each.

There is no way I am going to replace every light bulb in my house with a smart enabled one but I would replace my light switches with smart enabled and nice looking ones if they were about a quarter the price of this monstrosity.

 

[Lord Hamsa]

I like the idea of just being a base, rather than trying to be both the HomeKit-enabled base and the bulb - much more maintainable and flexible this way.

But the price point? No way this technology will take off until that price come down dramatically. Until then it's a novelty.

 

[CJM]

Do they have to pay licensing fees to Apple? The basic radios in these can't be this expensive.

 

[NT1440]

Do they have to pay licensing fees to Apple? The basic radios in these can't be this expensive.

There is far more to HomeKit compliance than a simple radio.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

$79? April 1st today.

 

[6836838]

There is far more to HomeKit compliance than a simple radio.

Yeah. It's a simple radio and a simple relay switch.

 

[NT1440]

Yeah. It's a simple radio and a simple relay switch.

Not to get HomeKit certified it aint.

Apple actually cares about the security of the Internet of Things, which is why standards are so high for HomeKit certification.

Seeing as the FBI (and other intelligence agencies) see a whole new world of surveillance under the IoT, I appreciate this fact.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/15...cause-of-slow-market-acceptance-report-claims

 

[c.hack]

If I had $79 to spend on each socket, I would just hire a maid instead.

The problem with these home automation devices is that people who can afford them typically (but not always) are smart enough to realize they are grossly overpriced and are not so lazy that they cannot stand up to flip a light switch.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Priced at $79, the iDevices Socket is not cheap

I feel like MacRumors should have an editorial policy that when a product is obviously outrageously priced, they shouldn't cover it at all.

Failing that, can we at least have stronger language than "not cheap"? How about "stupidly expensive"?

 

[parseckadet]

The most outrageous part of that price is that you can actually get smart light bulbs for much less than that. Why bother having this conversion thing, which looks massively bulky by the way, when you can get a Cree Connected bulb for just $15? Sure the Cree needs a hub, but considering those are about $50, you can actually get a bulb and a hub for less than just one of these things.

The high cost of these things just makes them non starters for most. When I can get an affordable and good looking smart enabled light switch (not light bulb) then I'll probably make the switch. Most of my light fittings have multiple bulbs - some have 5 and I've already invested in good quality LED bulbs at ~£10 each.

There is no way I am going to replace every light bulb in my house with a smart enabled one but I would replace my light switches with smart enabled and nice looking ones if they were about a quarter the price of this monstrosity.

I'm in the same boat as you, it's just not cost effective even at $15/bulb. Not to mention it's not very convienient, since if the switch is off you have no control. Good luck training everyone in the house not to turn off the switch.

Not sure if they have these available in the UK, but I would check out this:
http://www.amazon.com/GE-45856GE-Zi...d=1464100610&sr=8-1&keywords=ge+zigbee+switch
I haven't tried myself, but that ought to be able to pair with the Phillips Hue Bridge, or any other Zigbee hub. They make a Bluetooth and Z-Wave version as well. Don't be too turned off by the price, the Zigbee and Bluetooth versions just came out not too long ago, but the Z-Wave has been out for a couple years now and is down to about $40 and I expect the other two to follow suit given time. I've bought several of the Z-Wave switches and paired them with the Samsung SmartThings hub, which has gone very well so far.

 

[Corrode]

The high cost of these things just makes them non starters for most. When I can get an affordable and good looking smart enabled light switch (not light bulb) then I'll probably make the switch. Most of my light fittings have multiple bulbs - some have 5 and I've already invested in good quality LED bulbs at ~£10 each.

There is no way I am going to replace every light bulb in my house with a smart enabled one but I would replace my light switches with smart enabled and nice looking ones if they were about a quarter the price of this monstrosity.

A smart light switch? That's brilliant. Why are we paying PER BULB when we could pay PER ROOM?

Can't believe I didn't think of this as an option and I can't believe these products don't exist.

EDIT: check this out http://www.apple.com/ca/shop/produc...t-lighting-in-wall-dimmer-kit-homekit-enabled

 

[zorinlynx]

On a real keyboard now, so I'll write more instead of just boggling at the price...

It sounds like the device has a full Wi-Fi radio, etc and will get an IP on your network and so on. That may explain some of the cost.

The right way to do this would be to simply have a Zigbee radio or similar, so it can be part of an existing smart lighting system. A full-fledged Zigbee light bulb like the Philips Hue White is only $15, so it should be possible to make a zigbee socket for far less. Oddly I've not seen any on the market though.

 

[munpip214]

Incipio also recently released the same thing minus the light for only $29 on Amazon. Plus Idevices have had connectivity issues.

Or get a Philips hue white for only $15 a bulb.

 

[Ivan0310]

Price aside, this thing looks like it would actually add a fair amount of height to the bulb. I'd think that you'd have a hard time fitting some standard size bulbs inside this adapter and getting them under your existing lamp shade--that or you have a bulb sticking out of the top of a floor lamp. Either way, it's not a great form factor.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I am likewise puzzled by this product. In what way is it a better solution than connecting your lamps to a plugin wall module? Less expensive it certainly is not.

 

[NT1440]

I feel like MacRumors should have an editorial policy that when a product is obviously outrageously priced, they shouldn't cover it at all.

Failing that, can we at least have stronger language than "not cheap"? How about "stupidly expensive"?

So.....how are they supposed to cover Apple products?

 

[whyamihere]

I was interested until I saw it only allows up to 60W bulbs. I've got Hue and a few GE smart bulbs (through Wink hub) that already do that for cheaper. But there are times I wish I had brighter. If this thing allowed up to 100W or 120W I'd be interested. Why can't I find a good connected bulb over 1500 lumens??

 

[IJ Reilly]

I was interested until I saw it only allows up to 60W bulbs. I've got Hue and a few GE smart bulbs (through Wink hub) that already do that for cheaper. But there are times I wish I had brighter. If this thing allowed up to 100W or 120W I'd be interested. Why can't I find a good connected bulb over 1500 lumens??

An 18W CFL puts out 1100-1200 lumens. You should be okay with 60W unless you are tying to light a circus.

 

[whyamihere]

An 18W CFL puts out 1100-1200 lumens. You should be okay with 60W unless you are tying to light a circus.

I've got plenty of dumb CFLs of higher lumens. I'd settle for an A19 18W connected smart bulb if it existed. Hue is only 9W.

 

[kdarling]

Looks pretty tall and big around.

Looks like it would stick out the top of a floor lamp facing up, and be near the top of a lampshade... if it fit at all.

Or does the bulb sit super low, and there's a shadow cast below it?

 

[IJ Reilly]

I've got plenty of dumb CFLs of higher lumens. I'd settle for an A19 18W connected smart bulb if it existed. Hue is only 9W.

Sure, but the point is a 60W CFL is going to put out close to 4000 lumens, even more with LED. That's about the output of a 250W incandescent. I can't imagine having a light that loud in my home.

 

[now i see it]

A Belkin WEMO wall power wifi controlled adapter costs $39.