Philips Hue Announces New Light Fixtures and Expanded Starter Kits

[MacRumors]

Philips today announced an expansion of its Hue smart lighting range, bringing two new fixtures and two additional starter kits to its Apple HomeKit-compatible family of products.

The Philips Hue White Ambiance Cher Suspension is the largest new fixture - a hanging pendant light made for a kitchen island or dining table. The fixture outputs 3000 lumens and costs $230.

Meanwhile, a new Hue White Ambiance downlight is being introduced to replace existing ceiling lights. The downlight will be available in two sizes - 4-inches at 700 lumens and 5/6" at 750 lumens - costing $35 each.

In addition to the above, the company is bringing a $50 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance candle bulb to its Color Ambiance range. The smaller E12 base of the 40W-equivalent candle, with a range of more than 16 million colors, is made for ceiling fans, chandeliers and decorative table lamps.

Finally, Philips is now including four traditional A19 light bulbs in its starter packs, all of which come with the Philips Hue bridge to set up and customize the system. The new starter kits come in White and Color Ambiance ($200), White Ambiance ($150) and White ($100). Multi-packs of Philips Hue light bulbs continue to be available separately for extending existing installations.

Philips says the new starter packs and fixtures will be available to purchase online and in retail stores beginning October.

Article Link: Philips Hue Announces New Light Fixtures and Expanded Starter Kits

 

[dilbert99]

I'd like some decent lumens in a normal sized bulb. 800 lumens doesn't cut it if you have a single bulb on a fan in the centre of a room.

 

[Quirinus]

I read this 5mins after buying a starter pack lol, oh well.

 

[Applebot1]

Had my Hue set up for a few years now and highly recommend. I've had added to it over the years.

I agree that brighter bulbs would be good especially for the colour ones.

For my setup they are mainly used as mood lighting apart from my lux ones.

 

[nybear31]

I would love a C7 bulb for the candles in the windows during the holidays. Turning them all on/off at the same time would be Priceless.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I've got 3rd gen bulbs throughout my livingroom. I've had no issues with their brightness, even when only using a pair in shaded lamps at opposite ends of the room for my "wake up" routine.

A bunch of those candle bulbs, in candelabras, combined with a third party app that does a fire or candle effect would be priceless.

Where are these bulb multipacks they speak of?

 

[profets]

I read this 5mins after buying a starter pack lol, oh well.

Which starter pack did you buy? Could still be a good value if it was the 2 white bulb + hub for $70. The replacement option for 4 bulbs at $100 is the same as buying the $70 starter pack + 2 additional white bulbs ($15 each).

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Is there a technical reason why 1500-1600 lumen (90-100w equivalent) smart bulbs don't really exist, esp flood and spot lights. Heat maybe? That is the product that is sorely needed. 800w is fine for lamps but what about main house lighting. So many homes have recessed lighting, particularly in the kitchen and halls, that really needs 1500+ lumen bulbs.

I have 3 hue bulbs and enjoy them. But without a higher level of brightness I can't extend the system any further.

 

[pichael]

Philips today announced an expansion of its Hue smart lighting range, bringing two new fixtures and two additional starter kits to its Apple HomeKit-compatible family of products.

The Philips Hue White Ambiance Cher Suspension is the largest new fixture - a hanging pendant light made for a kitchen island or dining table. The fixture outputs 3000 lumens and costs $230.

Meanwhile, a new Hue White Ambiance downlight is being introduced to replace existing ceiling lights. The downlight will be available in two sizes - 4-inches at 700 lumens and 5/6" at 750 lumens - costing $35 each.

In addition to the above, the company is bringing a $50 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance candle bulb to its Color Ambiance range. The smaller E12 base of the 40W-equivalent candle, with a range of more than 16 million colors, is made for ceiling fans, chandeliers and decorative table lamps.

Finally, Philips is now including four traditional A19 light bulbs in its starter packs, all of which come with the Philips Hue bridge to set up and customize the system. The new starter kits come in White and Color Ambiance ($200), White Ambiance ($150) and White ($100). Multi-packs of Philips Hue light bulbs continue to be available separately for extending existing installations.

Philips says the new starter packs and fixtures will be available to purchase online and in retail stores beginning October.

Article Link: Philips Hue Announces New Light Fixtures and Expanded Starter Kits

Where was all the juicy information on HomeKit Expansion for the tap and motion sensors and the official support of syncing the lights with movies and games.

 

[Madmic23]

Is there a technical reason why 1500-1600 lumen (90-100w equivalent) smart bulbs don't really exist, esp flood and spot lights. Heat maybe? That is the product that is sorely needed. 800w is fine for lamps but what about main house lighting. So many homes have recessed lighting, particularly in the kitchen and halls, that really needs 1500+ lumen bulbs.

I have 3 hue bulbs and enjoy them. But without a higher level of brightness I can't extend the system any further.

You need smart switches, not smart bulbs. Get the Lutron Caseta wireless switches for those kitchen and hallway lights. They work with HomeKit or the Lutron app. Or, just press the switch on the wall.

I have a mix of Hue bulbs and Lutron switches, and I prefer the switches.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

You need smart switches, not smart bulbs. Get the Lutron Caseta wireless switches for those kitchen and hallway lights. They work with HomeKit or the Lutron app. Or, just press the switch on the wall.

I have a mix of Hue bulbs and Lutron switches, and I prefer the switches.

Yes I'm familiar with Smart Switches. But they don't serve my needs the way bulbs do because most of my switches are three-way for an entire room or hallway. I'd like to be able to control each bulb individually. For example my stairwell is open and goes from the LL to the loft -- four flights in total. When I'm upstairs I don't need the downstairs lit. Smart bulbs would solve that problem. Smart switches would not.

 

[MrX8503]

Is there a technical reason why 1500-1600 lumen (90-100w equivalent) smart bulbs don't really exist, esp flood and spot lights. Heat maybe? That is the product that is sorely needed. 800w is fine for lamps but what about main house lighting. So many homes have recessed lighting, particularly in the kitchen and halls, that really needs 1500+ lumen bulbs.

I have 3 hue bulbs and enjoy them. But without a higher level of brightness I can't extend the system any further.

Mainly heat

 

[MLVC]

Where was all the juicy information on HomeKit Expansion for the tap and motion sensors and the official support of syncing the lights with movies and games.

Yeah I'm wondering why they left that out, to me it's the most important information really. Good thing there are other sites out there covering that part

 

[mdelvecchio]

Is there a technical reason why 1500-1600 lumen (90-100w equivalent) smart bulbs don't really exist, esp flood and spot lights. Heat maybe? That is the product that is sorely needed. 800w is fine for lamps but what about main house lighting. So many homes have recessed lighting, particularly in the kitchen and halls, that really needs 1500+ lumen bulbs.

I have 3 hue bulbs and enjoy them. But without a higher level of brightness I can't extend the system any further.

Agreed, I need 1600 lumen bulbs (100w equivalent). I have non-smart LED bulbs that do this (the now-defunct Switch brand), but not smart-bulbs. Maddening.
[doublepost=1504193650][/doublepost]

You need smart switches, not smart bulbs. Get the Lutron Caseta wireless switches for those kitchen and hallway lights. They work with HomeKit or the Lutron app. Or, just press the switch on the wall.

I have a mix of Hue bulbs and Lutron switches, and I prefer the switches.

No. Smart switches are a different use case than a smart bulb. They are not identical.

 

[Madmic23]

Agreed, I need 1600 lumen bulbs (100w equivalent). I have non-smart LED bulbs that do this (the now-defunct Switch brand), but not smart-bulbs. Maddening.
[doublepost=1504193650][/doublepost]
No. Smart switches are a different use case than a smart bulb. They are not identical.

Not identical, but more cost effective and very similar results. Most of my light fixtures have three bulbs in them. To outfit those with Hue bulbs could cost upwards of $150 (colour Hue bulbs are around $50 in Canada). A Lutron switch costs about $60, and it controls the same fixture, or multiple fixtures.