Philips Hue to Introduce Updated Dimmer Switch and 'Wave Linear' Outdoor Lighting

[beanbaguk]

Actually, Ikea solution is cheaper and do the exact same thing.

I've tried the Ikea solution and promptly dropped it. Their hub is incredibly unstable, it doesn't support remote connection unless you have a HomeKit hub (not everyone does), their bulbs are inferior quality and not as bright, and their stages of brightness, temperature and colour are nowhere near as good as the Hue bulbs.

Just saying.

However for a cheap solution for somebody on a budget, it's fine.

 

[beanbaguk]

yep tried that didn't work...personally ui is horrible!

Try using HomeBridge. Just run it on a server or Raspberry Pi and it'll revolutionise how you use HomeKit. Plus it's entirely free and just requires some patience to set it up.

However I've had two bridges running without issue on it, plus they were all connected to Alexa (which was not possible as Hue only supports one hub logging in).

 

[laurieballard]

My experience with Philips Hue is similar to my one with Apple......it just works and it works well.

Bought my first 'starter kit' in the UK from an Amazon deal one Xmas and never looked back.

25 bulbs/lights, 6 dimmer switches and 2 motion sensors. Never had to replace a bulb, not once.

Tend to use iConnectHue app to configure the dimmer switch as you can then use all the buttons exactly how you want. In the nursery for example, button one sets overnight mode for the baby, button two is both bulbs on 50%, button three is both on 100% and button four is all off. Its so customisable.

I am sure there are cheaper alternatives out there but ultimately I could have bought a Samsung Galaxy instead of an iphone if my primary driver was cost. I want things to work, I want them to be slick and I want them to last.

I am fine with the existing dimmers personally but the new ones look ok, nothing jumping out at me as a big seller. New lights would be interesting, we have the 5m outdoor one around the soffit of our garage at the moment and I have some GU10 bulbs in IP67 enclosures mounted in the deck.

 

[ds2000]

I have quite a bit of hue kit with our Alexas, it works like a charm.
I do prefer the "behind switch" zigbee adapters to these switches. We have a house from the 50's so modern switches lose the charm of the house. With the Zigbees in wall we can choose anything we like.

 

[G4RHL]

don’t buy...they recently updated their software and broke all my dimmer switches and motion sensors with homekit...I kept saying watch they are about to release something new...this is bull crap!! 5 dimmer switches do nothing now, 15 motion sensors only work with Alexa now...bet you the new ones work perfectly with homekit, I’m predicting a new motion sensor and bridge coming out soon next

I am running 3 Hue bridges, 2 are full, the third getting there. Lots of switches, buttons and smart plugs. No problems.

 

[MHenr]

don’t buy...they recently updated their software and broke all my dimmer switches and motion sensors with homekit...I kept saying watch they are about to release something new...this is bull crap!! 5 dimmer switches do nothing now, 15 motion sensors only work with Alexa now...bet you the new ones work perfectly with homekit, I’m predicting a new motion sensor and bridge coming out soon next

In all honesty, in my 3 years of Hue usage (80% of bulbs in the house and several lamps, 8 sensors, 4 dimmers) I've rarely had any issues. I don't have the issues you speak of, like others have mentioned here as well. I've ran iOS beta software for years and always update the Hue app when an update is available. Very few glitches over the years.

 

[nill1234]

don’t buy...they recently updated their software and broke all my dimmer switches and motion sensors with homekit...I kept saying watch they are about to release something new...this is bull crap!! 5 dimmer switches do nothing now, 15 motion sensors only work with Alexa now...bet you the new ones work perfectly with homekit, I’m predicting a new motion sensor and bridge coming out soon next

I dont get it why KNX isn’t a thing in the USA. In Germany if you want a proper home automation system there is just one good solution: KNX. No proprietary vendor, its a standard and lots of manufacturers to choose from.

 

[Asgerhj]

Edit: How do I delete my comment?

 

[taran420]

I guess I’m just old fashioned when it comes to light switches...if you are too lazy to go flip a switch on and have to have it done from your smartphone...you have bigger issues

It’s convenience. Before we would get up
And turn on a TV from the power knob. Now we have remotes and no one uses the physical button. unless you do, then I’m sorry.

 

[Squuiid]

You can set them on "dust till dawn" timers, so you don't have to manage them.

Dust? Someone has been watching/reading too much His Dark Materials.

 

[Scott Robinson]

You can do this. There are plenty of apps such as iConnect that off this functionality....

Thanks, I tried iConnect but found it a bit flaky.

 

[zhenya]

Thanks, I tried iConnect but found it a bit flaky.

Flaky how? As I've noted, we use it as the primary control for a large installation of close to 100 devices. Works flawlessly. Nearly bug-free in my experience.

 

[xyz01]

I dont get it why KNX isn’t a thing in the USA. In Germany if you want a proper home automation system there is just one good solution: KNX. No proprietary vendor, its a standard and lots of manufacturers to choose from.

Because KNX is something you need to think of when you construct the house. At least, all the stuff I saw when looking at it briefly a couple of years ago needed separate cables for KNX. As what I wanted was to control floor heating, I ended up with z-wave instead.