SOMERSET, N.J., May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Philips today
launched the next generation application for the Hue lighting system, allowing consumers to
control their light bulbs using a smartphone or tablet with even
more flexibility, depth and breadth than before. The new Philips
Hue channel on IFTTT (If This Then That) enables the Hue system access to any application
programming interface (API) on the Internet, allowing Hue smart bulbs to act as informational
gateways and visual cues for updates on weather, stock quotes,
sports scores, email, social media and more.
(Photo:
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Other features in V1.1 of the system include geofencing and
"recurring schedules" – both of which were added to the feature set
in response to user feedback collected since Hue launched last fall. Geofencing
approximates the managing device's location and controls lights as
a user's smartphone or tablet approaches or leaves the home. In
this way, lights can automatically turn on or change settings as a
Hue user arrives home or the bulbs
can shut down as a homeowner walks out the front door – all without
the user even having to take their smartphone out of their
pocket.
With the recurring schedules addition, Hue enthusiasts can now calendarize popular
timer settings so that repetitive, daily behaviors in the home,
like waking up and going to sleep, are supported and enhanced by
Hue without having to reset them
each day. The timer function can now also be set to "randomize"
lights so that they turn on and off organically at unexpected times
when an owner is away from home for extended periods, adding
another level of security.
A new "synchronous scenes" feature works in the background to
assure that large batches of Hue
bulbs change scenes in a smooth, immediate manner. Pre-set scenes
are now stored in the bulbs themselves, eliminating a "wave" or
domino effect that can currently occur as the bulbs relay a command
among multiple bulbs throughout a home.
"People have really taken to Hue with the idea of connected lighting being
a stepping stone to the connected home and in the last six months
alone it has exceeded sales expectations by 300 percent," said
Ed Crawford, general manager and
senior vice president of the Professional Channel, Philips Lighting
Americas. "We have built a vibrant, vocal community at meethue.com
and the feedback of those voices has been invaluable. The guidance
given by our most enthusiastic users was a major factor in bringing
our latest updates to life and we can't wait to see what they think
of next."
On March 11, Philips published
Hue's open APIs and released
related guides and libraries in an iOS software developers' kit
(SDK), reinforcing its commitment to helping the developer
community and the end user leverage Hue to its full potential. In fact, since
publishing Hue's open APIs, dozens
of new apps have already hit the market. Some of these new apps now
instruct the bulbs to coordinate with music and album art, adjust
according to a person's biorhythms, assist in planetary study,
respond to spoken commands, and synchronize with television screens
for an ambient, immersive viewing experience.
Combine this recent proliferation of SDK-inspired apps with the
new IFTTT (pronounced like "gift" without the "g") partnership and
the evolution of Hue apps is
expected to continue at a steady pace. Like the current capacity
for users to share "Light Recipes" or "scenes" at meethue.com,
IFTTT will make new API "Recipes" and apps possible that can prompt
a user's bulbs to behave in specific ways based on predetermined
"Triggers" and resulting "Actions." For example, a Hue bulb may be set to change color if it is
going to rain or start blinking if the user has received an urgent
email.
Using the ZigBee LightLink standard, Hue bulbs can not only communicate with each
other, they have the potential for communicating with other
ZigBee-based devices such as motion sensors and home thermostats,
while offering a broad signal range and using significantly less
stand-by power than traditional Wi-Fi systems. Software updates for
the bulbs like those announced today are done automatically via the
bridge and the bulbs themselves, and additional apps developed for
the system are available through app stores or meetHue.com, making
it easy and intuitive for users to update Hue with applications and functionality that
will enhance their lighting experience.
Current iOS Hue users will be
prompted by their hand held device to accept the update or can
visit www.meethue.com for more information, with updates to
Android and Kindle devices coming this month. Hue starter kits comprising three bulbs and a
Smartbridge are available at Apple stores and Amazon. Additional
bulbs can also be purchased for $59.
For more information about Philips Hue and its capabilities
visit www.meetHue.com.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips
Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and
well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through
meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer
Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2012 sales of
EUR 24.8 billion and employs
approximately 118,000 employees with sales and services in more
than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute
care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and
new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and
oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at
www.philips.com/newscenter.
SOURCE Royal Philips Electronics