Philips Hue Gaining Apple HomeKit Support This Fall

[Arran]

Sure, they can upgrade but the question is, how much is it going to cost to do so? I can upgrade my existing Insteon system to be HomeKit-compatible, too, but it's going to cost me $150 for a new Insteon hub.

Depends how much you've spent on bulbs.

Embarrassed as I am to admit it, I've spent way more than I intended on bulbs, light strips and taps. They're addictive.

 

[ipedro]

Here's the Phillips Hue bridge that you'll have to buy to make your Hue lights compatible with HomeKit:

It was always sort of a given that some hardware would need to be upgraded since HomeKit requires hardware computability, not just a software update.

 

[mw360]

Here's the Phillips Hue bridge that you'll have to buy to make your Hue lights compatible with HomeKit:

The rumoured $60 smarts a bit, considering the current bridge is basically free when you buy three bulbs, or $30ish with a couple of Lux bulbs. I know some people bristle a little when theres a Samsung chip in their Apple gear, but when there's an Apple chip inside a device ends up costing some ridiculously extra $$$$.

Still I'm in no rush for HomeKit compatibility. My current app works just fine, and there doesn't seem to be a single other device to make HomeKit appealing right now.

 

[ipedro]

The rumoured $60 smarts a bit, considering the current bridge is basically free when you buy three bulbs, or $30ish with a couple of Lux bulbs. I know some people bristle a little when theres a Samsung chip in their Apple gear, but when there's an Apple chip inside a device ends up costing some ridiculously extra $$$$.

Still I'm in no rush for HomeKit compatibility. My current app works just fine, and there doesn't seem to be a single other device to make HomeKit appealing right now.

It does smart a bit. I'm eager to get HomeKit compatibility working so I'll plug my nose and buy the darn thing. I already talk to my Watch to control music in my home and I'm looking forward to adjusting the lights and temperature that way too. Unfortunately, Nest doesn't seem headed for HomeKit compatibility so I'll soon be ousting it in favour of a HomeKit alternative.

I do get the impression that Phillips has more planned for this hub other than HomeKit. It looks to be much better built than the cheap round disc that they ship with Hue. Maybe it'll be a middle man for other Zigbee devices to translate into Bluetooth LE/WiFi HomeKit compatibility.

 

[didieffe]

@ipedro: for what concerning Nest competitor; try TADO. They officialise a road map for HomeKit integration in fall 2016.