Back in October 2012, Philips launched its "hue" line of iOS-compatible LED light bulbs, giving users the ability to set and control light colors and intensities right from an iPhone app. With various "recipes", users can select from preset and customized lighting scenes to fit a variety of situations, from reading to relaxing to concentrating and more.

Philips has expanded the Hue family several times since the initial launch, including a "Friends of hue" accessory line of light strips and table lamps, as well as new BR30 light bulbs for recessed lighting fixtures.

The Hue family is set to expand again, with Philips today announcing three new upcoming products. The first is known as "hue lux", a light bulb similar to the existing hue bulb but which can only emit white light. While hue lux lacks the color options available with the original hue, users can remotely control the brightness of hue lux, set schedules, and more.

hue_lux

hue lux

Hue lux launches this summer with a starter kit consisting of two hue lux bulbs and a required bridge device to set up the hue network for $100. Additional hue lux bulbs will be available for $40 each, compared to the $60 price tag for the original hue with colors.

hue_tap

hue tap

The second product Philips is announcing today is "hue tap" a round mountable switch to make it easy to control hue lights without needing to access the hue iPhone app. The hue tap includes four buttons to store lighting recipes that are accessible with a simple tap. The hue tap requires no wiring or batteries and is powered simply by the kinetic energy from users tapping on the switch. The hue tap will be available in the second half of this year and will be priced at $60.

hue_3d

hue luminaires: "Tempest" table (left) and "Entity" pendant (right)

For the more adventurous, the final hue products being announced today are new 3D-printed luminaires. Available in both table and hanging pendant versions, the lights serve as art pieces that integrate with the hue system with palettes of over 16 million colors. Pre-orders for the luminaires begin on March 31, with the pendants priced at 2999 euros and table lamps priced at 2499 euros.

Top Rated Comments

Parasprite Avatar
147 months ago
Who's bright idea was this?

Hue hue hue...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
147 months ago
Hue changed my life

I'm a big fan of Hue and as a person with ADD, it has certainly changed my life.

I get visual cues that snap me into a routine I set for myself, sometimes without even noticing it. For example, when I'm supposed to be working, my lights are a bright white which helps me stay focused. When it's time to put down my work and unwind, my lights go a deep blue and I get the feeling to relax. When it's time to eat (people with ADD can forget to eat believe it or not), my kitchen spotlights light up my counter.

Other useful functions, fit in the Internet of Things category. Every morning, I step on to my Withings scale. It keeps track of my weight and if I'm falling below the target weight my personal trainer set for me (I'm trying to gain weight), my kitchen LEDs will turn red and I know I need to do better at eating more calories.

Another one of the great uses is a tie in with my Calendar. If I have a high priority item coming up, one light near my desk will flash red. This could just mean it's time to leave to an important appointment or that an important project is soon due.

Finally, it's so nice to wake up to a glowing sunshine in your bedroom even though it may be gloomy and raining outside.

All that said, I'm lucky I live alone because when I have visitors, my whole system falls apart because nobody knows how to turn on the darn lights. So glad they finally brought out a switch.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fruitpunch.ben Avatar
147 months ago
It's a no-brainer that they're doing this, but $40 a bulb is just too expensive! You can get good quality, good warranty, 25 year white LEDs for around $10, even from Philips. I'd maybe pay $10 for the privilege of using my iPhone to control them. But a $30 surcharge per bulb? It's just too much. I'm really disappointed.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PsychoLogicXen Avatar
147 months ago
To everyone that "doesn't get it", I'll guess that the main [only] reason you're not interested is the price, and I get that. But once you replace some of the bulbs around your home with these bad boys, there's no going back.

Being able to dim, geofence and color your lighting any way you choose is incredibly useful, not to mention damn fun. Watching it blow peoples' minds is also an added bonus.

Regarding the new products... Great move to expand the usability via the Tap switch, love that it doesn't require a power source. Naming the white-only bulbs "Lux" though? They do less and cost less... Shouldn't the original color-changing ones be called Lux? :confused:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Parasprite Avatar
147 months ago
Awesome idea... love it... I'll do my whole house...

How much did you say?

I'll have a box of 12 of those incandescent light bulbs for $5 please
:D

I'll come by next month to help replace them when they all burn out. ;)

----------

Looks to me like that's just for the current Hue bulbs (see: "16 million colors" for all), nothing about the Lux in there ... yet.

However, I hadn't seen that page before, and I think it's interesting that the BR30 and A19 bulbs have the exact same beam specifications. I'd expect the A19 bulbs to be wider and the BR30 bulbs to be a bit narrower since BR30 bulbs are normally a bit more directional, but I guess not. I still think the A19 bulbs scatter light a bit more widely than the BR30s, though, having used both and even comparing them (and what they do to the wall/ceiling nearby) in a downward-pointing fixture. Yes, I care a lot about light bulbs... :)

My SO never managed to understand why I spend 15 minutes standing in the lightbulb aisle.

You're among friends. :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
147 months ago
<2 is less than 2

That's why I said up to 2 :cool:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...