Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
64,822
32,951


Nanoleaf, known for its range of smart lighting panels, today announced the launch of the Elements Wood Look Hexagons. The Nanoleaf Elements are a new lighting product designed to offer a more natural lighting experience in the home with modular wood-styled panels that glow with shades of white light.


Nanoleaf's standard lighting panels, which are available in Hexagon and Triangle shapes, are made from a white plastic material and are designed to change colors, with users able to select from millions of color options. The Elements Wood Look Hexagons have a wood grain-like texture, which may appeal to those who do not like the plastic look of the standard panels when they're not activated.

nanoleaf-elements-main.jpg

When turned off, the Nanoleaf Elements look like decorative wood panels on the wall, and when on, various shades of yellow and white light can be used to add ambient lighting to a room. The Nanoleaf Elements do not get as bright as standard Nanoleaf Hexagons and can be set to temperatures ranging from 1500K to 4000K. Nanoleaf has designed the panels to glow from the back for a double-lit effect that enhances the lighting effects.

nanoleaf-elements-night-time.jpg

The neutral wood-like color is meant to better fit into home decor than the standard panels. The Nanoleaf Elements are unique because there are LEDs in in the corners of each panel that can be controlled separately, a feature that Nanoleaf says adds organic motions able to better resemble embers in a fireplace, fireflies, clouds, and more.

nanoleaf-elements-disabled.jpg

When creating a scene in the updated Nanoleaf app, you can paint each Hexagon corner with light in different temperatures for a unique look that's not possible with other Nanoleaf panels. Nanoleaf has created 11 preset lighting scenes for the Nanoleaf Elements, and if you use scenes created for standard panels, they'll be converted into shades of white lighting using Nanoleaf-designed mapping technology.

nanoleaf-elements-app.jpg

In addition to a offering a unique wood-style finish and lighting features, the Nanoleaf Elements include all of the classic Nanoleaf functions like Rhythm Music Sync, Schedule options, Touch capabilities that turn the color of the panels when you tap them, and Circadian Lightning that changes over the course of the day. Panels are controlled through the Nanoleaf app and are also HomeKit-compatible, so Siri integration is available.

nanoleaf-elements-touch.jpg

Nanoleaf Elements Smarter Kits include seven light panels for $299.99, and there are expansion packs that include three additional panels for $99.99. Nanoleaf Elements are available from the Nanoleaf store as of today, and will be coming to Apple stores later this year.

Article Link: Nanoleaf's New 'Elements' Line Features Wood-Like Smart Lighting Panels
 
  • Like
Reactions: PlasmStudios

nutmac

macrumors 603
Mar 30, 2004
6,127
7,555
These look pretty neat, although I would prefer more traditional and timeless rectangular wooden plank design, or even square "canvas" design they offer for non-Elements series.

The biggest news by far is that Nanoleaf Elements and existing Nanoleaf Shapes products will receive a software that will turn them into Thread border routers.

Which brings me to Nanoleaf Essentials, Thread-based light bulbs and light strips. They are always out of stock and I hope to see them restocked soon.
 

SDJim

macrumors 6502a
Aug 4, 2017
685
2,382
San Diego, CA
I've never understood why Macrumors is all-in on Nanoleaf. Overpriced, underwhelming Chinese plastic LED panels (with horrible software) with fake wood on them seems neither an innovation or anything related to Apple or Mac.
While I don't own anything from Nanoleaf, it is only because I went in on Hue. I wish I could turn back the clock and go to Nanoleaf instead, but they were a niche company with only one product at the time.

Hubless, Thread-Based HomeKit multi-color lights that cost half of what Hue bulbs do? Yes please. I would be enjoying colored scenes in my house if it weren't for Hue's exorbitant prices keeping me to the Ambiance bulbs.
 

jmgregory1

macrumors 68040
I used to be part of a company that produced paper thin (0.010” / 0.25mm thick real wood veneer that was so thin, it could be applied over touch sensitive screens / sensors and they would work normally. And of course they were semi-translucent, so you could backlight the wood to create a glow much like what these printed wood grain plastic panels have.

The image I use on here for my account was the cherry wood applied to my 15” rMBP where the Apple logo lit up and glowed through the wood. The product is still being made and could easily be applied to LED panels to create glowing real wood pieces, which would be that much nicer - and every panel would be distinctly different as the wood grain varies piece by piece.
 

TVreporter

macrumors 68000
Mar 11, 2012
1,979
3,324
Near Toronto
I've never understood why Macrumors is all-in on Nanoleaf. Overpriced, underwhelming Chinese plastic LED panels (with horrible software) with fake wood on them seems neither an innovation or anything related to Apple or Mac.
They're a Canadian-based company...


And speaking of that, this is $380 Canadian... major pass for my wallet.

Love Nanoleaf's light strips and bulbs which run on thread and work flawlessly with my HP Mini.
 

PlasmStudios

macrumors member
Jun 14, 2013
69
92
New York City, New York
While I don't own anything from Nanoleaf, it is only because I went in on Hue. I wish I could turn back the clock and go to Nanoleaf instead, but they were a niche company with only one product at the time.

Hubless, Thread-Based HomeKit multi-color lights that cost half of what Hue bulbs do? Yes please. I would be enjoying colored scenes in my house if it weren't for Hue's exorbitant prices keeping me to the Ambiance bulbs.

Exactly this.

I went all into LIFX before realizing these lights are absolutely crap in terms of connectivity and what is essentially the entire reason they exist. Everyone on the subreddit will defend it by saying that anyone having a problem just has a crappy router but ever after buying a $400 router, all the connectivity issues persisted with no communication from the company or updates.

Nanoleaf on the other hand are been an absolute delight. Yes the light colors aren't as nice as Hue or LIFX, but I'll take that over ****** connections and over half savings. The essential line worth all the money. Their support is actually helpful and they are snappy with updates and support.
 

nutmac

macrumors 603
Mar 30, 2004
6,127
7,555
I went all into LIFX before realizing these lights are absolutely crap in terms of connectivity and what is essentially the entire reason they exist. Everyone on the subreddit will defend it by saying that anyone having a problem just has a crappy router but ever after buying a $400 router, all the connectivity issues persisted with no communication from the company or updates.
Yes, while LIFX's Wi-Fi connectivity means bridge-free product, Wi-Fi is not the most robust standard. When a Thread device loses connection, other Thread devices will ping it to reconnect. And it sucks up a lot more electricity than Thread.

Thread border router is integrated into Eve Energy smart plug, Nanoleaf Elements and Shapes, and Apple HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), all expanding the range of Thread network.
 

m.x

macrumors 6502
Oct 12, 2014
258
942
I find the Hexagons way too expensive and the light distribution in the panels way too uneven, but the commercial for these new ones is absolutely delightful. It makes me want some, despite their flaws...
 

MvdM

Suspended
Apr 27, 2005
380
695
I've never understood why Macrumors is all-in on Nanoleaf. Overpriced, underwhelming Chinese plastic LED panels (with horrible software) with fake wood on them seems neither an innovation or anything related to Apple or Mac.
This time the article is compact compared to the previous articles.
 

The_Martini_Cat

macrumors 6502
Aug 4, 2015
300
335
I got a nanoleaf bulb and have had a super fun time with it. Twenty bucks for a light you can turn on and off and change colors using Siri? Sign me up!?? the woody hexagons look lovely but I’d want to see them in a room first ??
 

ForzaJuve

macrumors member
Jul 20, 2009
75
61
I absolutely don’t know anyone who owns these. I don’t even think anyone I know has ever heard of it.

That power cord dropping down the wall would really bother me in my house.
 

name99

macrumors 68020
Jun 21, 2004
2,370
2,257
I've never understood why Macrumors is all-in on Nanoleaf. Overpriced, underwhelming Chinese plastic LED panels (with horrible software) with fake wood on them seems neither an innovation or anything related to Apple or Mac.

Like everything, it's nice to know they exist in case you figure out a way to use them.

For example -- having a soft backlight leaking out behind the edges of a TV makes it look surprisingly nicer. One way to do that is paste a LED strip around the edges. But if that scares you (bending LEDs, gluing to your TV) or seems too much hassle, an alternative might be to place one or three of these sorts of light panels on the wall directly behind the TV...
 

name99

macrumors 68020
Jun 21, 2004
2,370
2,257
I absolutely don’t know anyone who owns these. I don’t even think anyone I know has ever heard of it.

That power cord dropping down the wall would really bother me in my house.
You could mostly disguise it with a cable raceway.
These, and boxes to hide power strips are so cheap and easy to use, and make such a difference to a home's appearance :cool:
 

PlasmStudios

macrumors member
Jun 14, 2013
69
92
New York City, New York
Yes, while LIFX's Wi-Fi connectivity means bridge-free product, Wi-Fi is not the most robust standard. When a Thread device loses connection, other Thread devices will ping it to reconnect. And it sucks up a lot more electricity than Thread.

Thread border router is integrated into Eve Energy smart plug, Nanoleaf Elements and Shapes, and Apple HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), all expanding the range of Thread network.

Yeah apparently the new updates they announced yesterday says that the update will bring border router support to more product, eliminating the need for a ATV or HomePod Mini. Which is quite nice. I personally love my Mini and am considering getting rid of the OG in favor of getting more Minis around the house.

Quite sad that LIFX is still announcing new products without Thread support still. Especially since their actual light quality is quite good.
 

slothinker

Contributor
Nov 28, 2012
84
41
Personally I appreciate the editorial judgments shown by Macrumors ... they call stuff to my attention which I often buy or at least would consider buying. In regard to Nanoleaf, I have the original in a living room along with the remote and the audio add-on. The unit adds a lot to the look of the place but also to the day-to-day living in the room as you can adjust the ambience so easily.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ErikGrim
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.