Signify Launches New Philips Hue Lighting Options

[ChrisA]

I really love their lighting options but my god they are expensive.

Yes, I have installed "smart lighting" in several locations for clients. THere are only two systems that work with zero issues (1) Philips Hue and (2) Lutron. Both of these will "just work". Eveb Apple's Home App is unreliable and Siri fails to work sometimes. But Hue and Lutron are issue-free.

The way I figure it is that a house (around here in California) is worth at least a million dollars, likely more. So what if I add $1,000 worth of lighting? It's pocket change when you are doing a 20K or $50K renovation.
But I absolutely CAN NOT afford to but in a system that "glitches". Hue and Lutron are glitch free and cheap enough not to be noticed if you are already knocking down walls and building a new kitchen

 

[ChrisA]

No HomeKit support on the cameras? Not even basic app support let alone HKSV?

I love Hue, but I’ll pass on the cameras until they’re HK-compatible.

Do you really want to depend on Apple's HK? Siri stops working if there is an internet outage. IT is OK if it is just for yourself as a hobby but would you installit for a client who you KNOW will call you every time there is a glitch which is going to be EVERY time the OS is updated and anything there is a monetary Internet outage.

I find that HK is a decent add-on but I can't use it for anything that is critical. So Hue works even in HK is down. But systems like Nanoleaf stop working if the Homepod can't reach the Internet because a router is messed up.

 

[spazzcat]

I was reaching the limit on the number of Hue bulbs in my home and decided to try IKEA. The on/off is so abrupt – even the increments feel basic. The fading of the Hue bulbs is so much better.

You can add more Hue hubs.

 

[MegaBlue]

Do you really want to depend on Apple's HK? Siri stops working if there is an internet outage. IT is OK if it is just for yourself as a hobby but would you installit for a client who you KNOW will call you every time there is a glitch which is going to be EVERY time the OS is updated and anything there is a monetary Internet outage.

I find that HK is a decent add-on but I can't use it for anything that is critical. So Hue works even in HK is down. But systems like Nanoleaf stop working if the Homepod can't reach the Internet because a router is messed up.

HomeKit still works without the internet. If I don’t use HomeKit then I already don’t have Siri controls, I don’t use automations, and anything hub based is still going to be down if the internet is down if I try to access it out of the home.

i don’t install smart home products, only myself, so I don’t see why thats even relevant?

i‘ve used many systems, big names and small names, and HomeKit is the platform I enjoy the most, so I buy products that work with it and dont buy ones that don’t.

so hopefully they add HomeKit support to the cameras as I would love to move to Hue as I love their products.

 

[dlondon]

You can add more Hue hubs.

I want to avoid more hubs plus there are potential config issues with two hubs. I already had the IKEA hub for air purifiers so it was worth trying those bulbs first. You can go over 50 lights on the Hue hub but it can start to cause reliability issues.

 

[DMG35]

Yes, I have installed "smart lighting" in several locations for clients. THere are only two systems that work with zero issues (1) Philips Hue and (2) Lutron. Both of these will "just work". Eveb Apple's Home App is unreliable and Siri fails to work sometimes. But Hue and Lutron are issue-free.

The way I figure it is that a house (around here in California) is worth at least a million dollars, likely more. So what if I add $1,000 worth of lighting? It's pocket change when you are doing a 20K or $50K renovation.
But I absolutely CAN NOT afford to but in a system that "glitches". Hue and Lutron are glitch free and cheap enough not to be noticed if you are already knocking down walls and building a new kitchen

Again, no one is saying they aren’t good lights. They can be great but also expensive as f. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

 

[JoeG4]

if you want similar quality lights for less $$ get the wiz lights, they're also made by signify/phillips, they just connect through wifi instead of a hue hub. Of course, that in itself could be a drawback... but they're still really really good. Plus you can pair them up with a remote control.

 

[allenvanhellen]

What I want is a bulb or fixture that's two in one: diffuse downlighting in cool to warm white, and diffuse up/side lighting in colors to set a subtle mood.

 

[svish]

Good to hear that Matter support is coming soon. The new lights seem to be good

 

[spazzcat]

I want to avoid more hubs plus there are potential config issues with two hubs. I already had the IKEA hub for air purifiers so it was worth trying those bulbs first. You can go over 50 lights on the Hue hub but it can start to cause reliability issues.

I have had no issues, and it is fairly normal to have several Hue hubs at this point. It is transparent in HK but can be annoying in the Hue App because you can only see one hub at a time.

 

[MidwestMacGuy]

While this article says the Festiva lights can be used outside, Hue's website says they are for indoor use only.

 

[MidwestMacGuy]

I suppose for some people, these types of security cameras will be fine. But if you look at options using a NAS like Synology and their outstanding software, Surveillance Station it takes security, and access control, to a much higher level. For starters you need no batteries or solar panels when you use compatible POE cameras. Then there's features like face recognition, license plate recognition, and more that trounces Hue, Alro, Ring and the like. Not to mention integration with access control. You can have a front driveway gate that automatically opens when the camera recognizes an approve license plate and opens the driveway gate. Oh, and no annual fee. Kind of makes the Hue cameras seem more like a toy with a catch.

 

[pmb_12]

Says “preorder now” for the festavia lights at the provided link… but there’s no way to preorder. Amd I missing something?

They are now preorderable. 100, 250, 500 light versions.