An upcoming Philips Hue wall switch module for Philips will solve one of the biggest problems faced by smart fans sharing a home with less technical people: if someone uses the physical wall switch to turn off a lamp, it can no longer not be Siri-controlled.
The cleverness of controlling Hue light bulbs is in the light bulb itself – and they need mains power to receive and respond to app or Siri commands. This means that if someone physically shuts down the light, it is no longer accessible until you physically turn it back on …
The company says a solution is on the way in the form of a new Philips Hue wall switch module.
The new Philips Hue wall switch module is the ideal addition to any Philips Hue setup. It is installed behind existing light switches and allows users to convert their existing switch into a smart switch and ensure that their smart lighting is always accessible. Whether it’s via the app or via voice control: no longer getting up from the couch to turn on the switches that a family member or a house guest might have turned off.
In addition, in the Hue app, you can select light scenes and customize how the switch works to further personalize the atmosphere.
The Philips Hue wall switch module is battery powered and has a minimum battery life of at least five years.
The new module will be on sale in Europe in the spring and in the US and Canada in the summer.
However, it will not be a cheap solution if you have a lot of Hue lighting. US prices are $ 39.95 each, or $ 69.95 for a twin package.
The magnetically-mounted dimmer switches that place many of us next to physical switches have also received an unspecified upgrade that looks like a slight design refresh.
Finally, there are two new Hue exterior lights – one brand new, the other a new finish.
The new Philips Hue Amarant linear spotlight allows users to wash outdoor walls with light for the right atmosphere in their garden, no matter what season. The wall-wax effect with vibrant light in millions of colors is enhanced by the metal screen and invigorates the look and feel of an empty wall in gardens or on balconies. The Amaranth can be mounted on the floor or upside down on an overhanging roof to increase the light decoration outside. As part of the LowVolt luminaire collection, it is easy to install and expand with more accessories to fully personalize the atmosphere of your outdoor space.
The Philips Hue Appear, a popular exterior wall light, now has a brushed stainless steel finish and easy installation. The stainless steel wall light, which delivers a powerful swing effect up and down in white and millions of colors, gives a luxurious feel to the exterior. You do not have to struggle with wires when attaching the Appear, but easily lift the light to the wall using the pin connector, sit back and relax.
Both will go on sale in Europe on 26 January. The stainless steel, Apph, appears to be Europe-only, while the Amaranth will be sold in the U.S. and Canada from March 2, at $ 169.99. This contributes to the growing range of Hue products.
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