GE Lighting recently announced an expansion to its C by GE portfolio, introducing a number of new HomeKit-compatible smart wall switches, full color lights, and accessories.
All of the below products will be rolling out across 2019, starting with the first quarter of the year. To use these products with HomeKit, the C-Reach Hub, introduced last year, is required.
Full Color LED Bulbs
C by GE is gaining colored LED bulb options, which will provide millions of colors along with tunable white colors, much like LIFX and Philips Hue.
There's a 60-watt equivalent A19 bulb, a BR30 for recessed lighting areas, and a custom-sized light strip. The new lighting products can be controlled via an app or through Siri with the required HomeKit hub.
Smart Switches
GE is adding several smart switches, designed to let users turn on, off, and dim any brand incandescent, halogen, CFL, or LED bulb.
There are multiple options available, from a basic smart on/off switch to a dimmer switch with motion detection and an ambient light sensor.
For those who have C by GE smart bulbs, GE says that the smart switches allow for full control of the bulbs even when the switch is off, eliminating the inability to control smart bulbs when a light switch is turned off by kids or visitors.
Smart Wall Plug and Motion Sensor
C by GE is gaining a new smart wall plug, which is designed to make any appliance or device that's plugged into it controllable via an app or Siri.
There's also a new battery powered motion sensor coming that is designed to detect motion and ambient light to control lighting based on movement and light within a room.
All of the C by GE products are compatible with Amazon Alexa, HomeKit, and Made for Google, though as mentioned before, HomeKit integration requires a hub.
Top Rated Comments
GE is late to the game with nothing to differentiate from their competition. A game changer for them could have been a “hubless” system.
Others manage to do it without a special hub.