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GE adds color lightbulbs to its Made for Google lineup
GE unveiled its first Made-for-Google lightbulbs in October last year. Now, it's expanding the range to include full-color LEDs, accessories and smart wall switches, which, like the previous bulb release, can be used without an extra hub and controlled via a single app.
Engadget giveaway: Win a Smart Light Starter Kit and Home Max courtesy of Google!
If you haven't dabbled in the smart home sector yet, but would like to enjoy some of the perks without investing big bucks, the new made-for-Google Smart Light Starter Kit from GE is tailor-made. This package includes a Google Home Mini and a GE-C Life smart bulb, both of which can talk to each other by Bluetooth, obviating the need for any hubs. It's that easy to set up voice-controlled ambiance with any of the Google Home smart speakers. Plus, since the Home devices are WiFi connected as well, you can remotely control your lights. Additional bulbs can be added without too much cost and if you purchase one of the Google/GE kits between November 22nd and 26th, there are some major discounts to be had at the Google Store. This week, Google has provided us with a Smart Light Starter Kit for two lucky readers, along with a super-sized Google Home Max so you can really crank up the tunes. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to four chances at winning one of these Google smart home packages. Good luck! Winners: Congratulations to Jesse D. of Antioch, CA and Antonio P. of New York, NY!
IKEA’s smart lighting officially supports HomeKit
After what seems like an eternity (for IKEA and HomeKit fans, at least), the Swedish furniture maker has added support for Apple's smart home platform. As 9to5Mac notes, so long as you have the company's Tradfri hub installed at your house, you'll be able to start controlling the lighting via your iOS device. It's worth noting that, this will only work with smart lightbulbs at this time; dimmer switches aren't online just yet. More than that, the hub integrates with Amazon's Alexa so if you aren't all-in on HomeKit, you can still use voice commands to turn your lights on and off. Google Assistant support isn't included in this update, however.
Wink promises home security with its $119 smart bulb bundle
Wink's goal is to demystify the internet of things with a single hub and a single app that talks to all manner of smart home devices from other companies, and plays nice with Google's assistant and Alexa too. Knowing that most people are still unsure of where to start modernizing, Wink has today announced a new basic smart lighting bundle for $119 that includes its latest smart home hub and two dimmable, connected bulbs from Sylvania. The "Wink Bright" proposition is two-fold, however, as the company is also updating its mobile app to add a few no-nonsense features to show there's more to smart bulbs than not having to move from the sofa to set the mood.
Hackers hijack Philips Hue lights with a drone
Surprise! The Internet of Things is a security nightmare. Anyone who was online a few weeks ago can attest to that. The massive internet blackout was caused by connected devices, and new research from white-hat hackers expounds upon those types of vulnerabilities. The target? Philips Hue smart lightbulbs. While they've been hacked in the past, Philips was quick to point out that it happening in a real-world situation would be pretty difficult. Digital intruders would need to already be on your home network with a computer of their own -- the company claimed that directly attacking the lightbulbs wasn't exactly feasible. But this new attack doesn't require that sort of access.
Hive takes on Hue with colour-changing light bulbs
In its bid to kit out Britain's homes with tech-centric appliances, British Gas' Hive has launched a wide range of internet-ready products. There's the all-important smart thermostat, plugs, home sensors and, more recently, Hive Active Lights. These smart bulbs can be controlled via the Hive app and interact directly with the Hive Hub, but customers have only been able to buy the standard dimmable white light. That changes today, after the company added two new bulbs to its Active Light line-up, putting Philips' Hue in its sights.
Router maker TP-Link turns its attention to smart homes
Although it is a market leader in the global networking industry, TP-Link has struggled to make an impression in the US. The company is banking on a major makeover and a new product portfolio to help wow its American audience and improve its standing in the Netgear-dominated US market. I spoke at length with TP-Link's amiable CEO and co-founder Jeffrey Chao about his ambitious plans for the States.
Hive adds smart lightbulbs to its connected home lineup
British Gas' connected home brand Hive expanded beyond smart thermostats to plugs and motion sensors earlier this year. As was always the plan, the product range has grown a little bigger today with the launch of Hive Active Lights. These smart bulbs are controlled via the existing Hive app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, and since they talk directly to your router through the Hive Hub, can be fiddled with anywhere you have an internet connection. In addition to on/off and dimming commands, you can also create schedules if, say, you want your lights to come on at night while you're away on your summer hols.
Cree's affordable smart bulb works with Zigbee and Wink home hubs
Sure, being able to control your lights using an app is cool and all, but smart bulbs are typically (frustratingly!) expensive. If you don't mind getting basic features on a basic bulb, though, Cree has a new $15 option now out at Home Depot -- that's the same price as GE's Link Bulbs and a lot cheaper than, say, Philips Hue models. You can't change its colors and use it as disco lights, but you can dim, brighten or schedule it to switch on at a specific time through the accompanying iOS and Android app. Also, the company claims it's shatter-proof despite the price point and can last for up to 25,000 hours. It still needs to be connected to a Wink or a ZigBee hub to work, which means more $$$ if you don't have either yet. But if you already own one of those hubs, Cree's connected bulb doesn't sound like such a shabby choice.
Elgato announces $50 Avea smart lightbulb and Eve smart home sensors
Apparently, the world needs another smart lightbulb, and Elgato's going to sell it to you. Called Avea, the $50 bulb connects to your iDevice directly using Bluetooth (no external hub needed), and lets you set the mood in any room with an appropriate shade of light. Just one iPhone (4S and up), 5th gen iPod Touch or iPad (3rd gen or newer) can control a whole house full of lights and give users multiple lighting scenes to choose from. Plus, there's an alarm feature that wakes you with the gentle gleam of a 7W LED bulb pumping out 430 lumens (which is just a bit brighter than its competitor from Lumen, and is roughly equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb).
Samsung's first Smart Bulb is Bluetooth-only and lasts 10 years
Though it got beat to the punch by arch-competitor LG, Samsung has just released its debut smart LED bulb, literally called the "Smart Bulb." It looks nothing like the multi-tiered model we saw at the FCC, but retains the Bluetooth-only spec -- unlike the WiFi-based Philips Hue and LG's WiFi/Bluetooth Smart Lamp. That'll give you direct control of up to 64 bulbs via a smartphone app, similar to how the Lumen bulb works. However, you'll need a ZigBee Bluetooth hub for home automation, and there's no word yet if that'll be included. The bulb will dim down to ten percent power with a color range between warm and cool white, meaning the disco-like tricks of the Philips and Lumen models are out. There's no word yet on the price, but Samsung said the Smart Bulb would last a prodigious 15,000 hours or around 10 years under normal usage. Given that, if it's in the same $32 range as LG's bulb, we think we can swing it.
LG's first smart light bulb flashes when you get a phone call
LG isn't about to let household heavyweights like Philips corner the connected lighting space -- it just unveiled the Smart Lamp, its first take on the concept. The 10W LED bulb gives Android and iOS users a familiar level of control over their illumination, including a light-based alarm clock and a security mode that pretends you're at home. There are a couple of noteworthy tricks in this initial offering, however. The light connects through both Bluetooth and WiFi, letting it pull the sync-based stunts we've seen in a few other bulbs: it can flash when you get a phone call, or (with Android) pulse to the beat of the music. The Smart Lamp is more expensive than ordinary LEDs at 35,000 won ($32) in LG's native Korea, but it could be a good deal if you don't need the many-colored lighting of Hue and similar systems. Unfortunately, there's no word on whether or not it's coming to the US.
Lumen Bluetooth smartbulb challenges Philips Hue to offer app-controlled home lighting
The smartbulb throne isn't exactly the most exciting one to occupy, but Philips Hue has its fair share of challengers, such as the freshly released Bluetooth-controlled Lumen. Similar to Hue, you can tweak not only the bulb's color, but also its intensity. In addition, several modes come baked into the light source, including one that programs the Lumen to flash whenever a call comes in, and another that syncs its effects with music. Unlike Philips' fancy bulbs, though, the device doesn't need a WiFi hub to work -- it connects directly to an iOS or Android device loaded with its companion app. What's more, its creators claim the product consumes only one-sixth of the energy a 40W bulb does despite emitting comparable light. If a Bluetooth-connected bulb intrigues you -- even though the idea itself isn't new -- you can now snatch the Lumen online or from various retailers for $70.
Samsung's Smart Bulb edges closer to launch as it gains US approval
Philips may be at the forefront of connected lighting with its Hue range, but could soon have a competitor in Samsung's "Smart Bulb," which has just popped up at the FCC. The Korean outfit first revealed plans for a wireless bulb earlier in the year, and expected to launch a three-piece kit during the third quarter, complete with ZigBee hub for issuing on/off and dimming commands from mobile devices. That kit never came, but the FCC approval of this Smart Bulb, which uses ZigBee and looks mighty similar to what Sammy's detailed before (see below the fold), suggests it's nearly ready to illuminate your gloomy pad. Hue might have a budding adversary on its hands, but one thing's for sure -- we're not likely to see Samsung's effort taking a prime slot in Apple's storefront anytime soon.
