LEDVANCE Announces HomeKit-Enabled 'Sylvania Smart Multicolor Bulb' That Doesn't Need Central Hub

[Carlanga]

Umm the announcement linked says via Bluetooth and not via wifi.

I bet they are just taking advantage of iOS 10 Siri kit and not really naming it pure HomeKit.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

If they make bulbs brighter than Hue then Hue will be dead to me. This is encouraging. Philips needs some competition.

 

[luckydcxx]

These companies really have to make more styles then just the A19. I really want some recessed built in LED lights in both 4 and 6 inch.

 

[RMo]

If it's compatible with HomeKit, it's probably compatible with everything else you listed. Alexa works with a ton of stuff. I have a few of the new LifeX bulbs, and I bought an echo dot because they're not HomeKit compatible, at the moment at least.

This new LEDVANCE bulb is works with Bluetooth, which Amazon Echo does not (yet? natively) support for controlling home automation devices. It must have some sort of IP interface, e.g., through a Hue bridge, a SmartThings or other compatible hub, or similar. So, I doubt it will work to control with Alexa. I think the best bet for future compatibility is to home SmartThings finally works in making the Bluetooth radio they included in the v2 hub useful, which would work well for things like this and SwitchMate.

Also, to those fighting over HomeKit vs. SmartThings: I think it's clear they both have their advantages and disadvantages. SmartThings probably has the widest compatibility (excluding Bluetooth devices like this that were made to work only with HomeKit) and is extremely customizable (you can import or personally write new device handlers for devices SmartThings doesn't officially support that are in some way compatible with the system--Z-Wave, ZigBee, or HTTP; and you can write custom "apps" to automate or make the devices behave or interface with other devices or actions in exactly the way that you want, though the stock apps do quite a bit as well). The downside is that it is heavily reliant on the "cloud," even for devices/actions that are entirely capable of being controlled locally. I use SmartThings but often contemplating switching to Vera or something in hopes they can do more locally, which SmartThings improved with v2 but not as much as they could have. This wouldn't be a problem if they didn't have such frequent server problems (which have also gotten better, but as recently as a few days ago my hub was convinced for about 15 minutes that all my actions happened 5 minutes in the future, so my lights wouldn't turn on when I walked in the room...yet).

I don't think there are quite as many devices as compatible with HomeKit, but the number is constantly increasing. The main advantage to HomeKit for me is the ability to use Siri to control devices. I can't do automation because I don't have an AppleTV (or an iOS 10 iPad that's always home), but I seriously doubt it's as flexible as what SmartThings allows (can you write custom code?). Contrary to what one poster said, it's also much less likely to be compatible with older devices. The only time I have seen this happen is with Philips Hue, which required a new bridge and just happened to allow the older bulbs (which don't directly interface with HomeKit--the Bridge communicates over the IP-based network and controls the bulbs over its ZigBee mesh network). Insteon did something similar as well, I believe. It is difficult for many other devices to do this due largely to the bleeding-edge security requirements HomeKit mandates (including the use of very strong encryption and apparently the need for a special security co-processor). I think SmartThings theoretically stands a technical chance at HomeKit integration if they make a compatible hub, but I'm not sure if Apple's requirements would prevent them from using it to control potentially security-sensitive devices like locks and garage doors (which are disabled through the default Alexa integration for similar non-technical reasons).


tl;dr Liking SmartThings doesn't make you a Samsung fan, and SmartThings is not designed to work well with exclusively Samsung products--SmartThings has been around before it was acquired by Samsung and the main difference now seems to be that you can use certain Samsung TVs as a hub rather than buying the dedicated SmartThings Hub if you want. Lots of devices work well with either ST or HomeKit, and some work only with one. Use whatever you like and works well for you--or a little of both.

 

[friedmud]

Personally: I _like_ having a hub! A hub brings flexibility and reliability.

For instance, I bought into Hue before it supported Homekit... then, when they released their Homekit enabled hub I was able to buy the new hub without disturbing the large number of instaalled lights that I have. Without the hub I would have most likely had to throw out all of my old lights and buy Homekit ones.

I'm also getting ready to buy into the Homekit enabled Lutron Caseta system: for replacing some light switches that control lights I can't replace with Hue. Again, it has a hub... and again, that system has shown that you can upgrade the hub without having to update your installed hardware as new smart home standards come out.

Similarly: I also use Logitech's Harmony system for all of my TVs. Those hubs have proven to be very upgradeable over the years.... allowing my TV remote to control all the other smart devices in my house (bulbs, switches, thermostats...).

In addition, I find that the smart home devices that use always on, always connected hubs on wifi are more reliable. Any of the bluetooth connected Homekit stuff is garbage. In addition, I have several Homekit/wifi plugs that don't use a hub and they are way less reliable than any of my hub based smart home gesr.

Basically: long live the hub! If you're serious about smart home stuff the hubs are the way to go.

 

[macUser2007]

Is there a list of devices that are compatible with all 3 main voice services - Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit?

I want to have home automation, but I don't want to be stuck with Apple if Tim Cook is in charge.

For light bulbs, LiFX seems to have wide compatibility -- I use them with Alexa.

 

[steve knight]

one problem is with homekit you have to use all apple devices. right now I have a airport extreme but I will be going with something else when it has problems apple tv needs it. Plus I don't own a tv so how would I set up the apple tv? I got a kick out of being called a samsung fanboy I own two samsung devices the same things hue and a camera. while I own about 8 apple devices.

 

[az431]

home kit only works with home kit compatible devices.

There are iOS apps that allow you to use non-HomeKit devices along with HomeKit devices.

last year you could do very little wit home kit and even getting hue to work was a challenge.

Not last year anymore

before iOS 10 we could not get hue to work on two phones.

iOS 10 is out

home kit means you have to set things up from each app. home kit needs the hue app and others to operate.

Not true. So far the only third-party app I've had to use is Hue, and that's because Philips requires it. All other third-party devices I've paired in the HomeKit app and have never touched the third-party app.

 

[steve knight]

There are iOS apps that allow you to use non-HomeKit devices along with HomeKit devices.



Not last year anymore



iOS 10 is out



Not true. So far the only third-party app I've had to use is Hue, and that's because Philips requires it. All other third-party devices I've paired in the HomeKit app and have never touched the third-party app.

great so are you going to send me the 800.00 or so it will take to change over to homekit? well I will also need a tv to setup apple tv. I can send you my address.

 

[mistafro]

I tried HomeKit with a Schlage lock. It worked fine in the home, but was a disaster when trying to control anything from outside (and yes I have the apple tv and understand how to set up everything). I gave up on homekit and went with SmartThings and Nexia for different functions. Both work very well. Homekit will never be used in my home again. It was pure garbage when trying to use it from outside.

This was fixed with a firmware update.
[doublepost=1482944270][/doublepost]I wonder if these would work when you install a Lutron Caseta switch to control it. Philips hue won't work that way and constantly blink.

A bit redundant yes but at least you can replace the old switch and have a always on controllable switch with a coloured bulb.

I know you can add a Phillips hue switch but it's not nice looking having 2 switches on the wall especially when one is a dumb switch.

 

[341328]

Why is no hub touted as a benefit? It's not. Technology changes and I'd prefer to upgrade a hub then all the globes!
[doublepost=1482955051][/doublepost]

I tried HomeKit with a Schlage lock. It worked fine in the home, but was a disaster when trying to control anything from outside (and yes I have the apple tv and understand how to set up everything). I gave up on homekit and went with SmartThings and Nexia for different functions. Both work very well. Homekit will never be used in my home again. It was pure garbage when trying to use it from outside.

Yeah, HomeKit has some issues. But seems to be getting better. Here's hoping.