Meet Hue!

[kb0nes]

Yet another example of "I've seen it all now" brought to you by Philips and Apple.

Hue is a new LED based lighting system that is fully color controllable and dimmable. Best of all the control is handled through a wireless bridge that connects to your existing WiFi network.

The system is a bit expensive and at this point only sold in the Apple stores. They sell a "starter" kit which includes the wireless bridge to control them and three lamps. They state the lames are 600 lumens which makes them roughly equal to a 40w incandescent. The dimming control is most likely far better then the AC phase-angle Triac dimming that we all use now and of course the color control has no reasonable home comparison.

Using your smart device allows full control from anywhere you have Internet access. Timed control is there too. An interesting concept is using it as an alarm clock, have the lights slowly come up in the morning with color temperature changing like a real sunrise!

Its surely wretched excess and many will pan it because of the cost. I have a bad feeling I may have to buy one though lol

http://www.meethue.com/en-US

 

[petek]

There's been so many home automation systems come and go over the last 20 years you have to wonder if there really is a viable market for it other than geeks LOL

Personally I don't think much will ever come of it.
BTW I've bought enough of the stuff myself over the years so don't feel bad if you do LOL

 

[frigilux]

I was reading about this in Consumer Reports. Being able to change the color "temperature" would be really nice, and it would allow everyone their own preference. LED's are testing well so far, and they don't come with the negative baggage of CFL's: a warm-up period; mercury; odd-colored light (to some eyes). I've been happy with CFL's, and have had only two burn out (both in the bathroom) after about 3-4 years of use. Have never dropped one, so haven't had to deal with mercury clean-up.

The cost of LED bulbs will have to come down before the general public will go for them. What are they, something like $40-$60 a bulb? Yes, they're supposed to last over twenty years, but...sheesh! Switching the whole house over will practically require a bank loan, LOL!

 

[cadman]

A friend here at work bought the starter kit and a couple additional bulbs a month or two ago and really likes them. I was going to pick up a kit and figured maybe the price would drop if I waitied closer to the Holidays. Nope. Lead time right now is 3 to 4 months and people selling them through Amazon and eBay are asking 2 to 3x the cost! -Cory

 

[danemodsandy]

Just Think!

If someone awful's making a play for your husband, you turn the lights a sickly blue-green so he doesn't look half so desirable any more. If someone great is making a play for you, you turn 'em rosy pink so you look nineteen again....

This has possibilities!

 

[kb0nes]

something like $40-$60 a bulb?

For the Hue bulbs they are this expensive, but for white LED A19 replacements they are in the $15-25 range for 60w equivalent lamps. Still pricey compared to CFL's but they far outlast CFL lamps and most dim well and don't have the other negative issues you mentioned.

A few years ago Home Depot started selling the 1st generation Philips 13.5 watt (60w eq)lamp for $14.95. I have replaced most the lights in my house with these now. Along with a smattering of reflector "style" LED lamps and some of the new 3M lamps I have removed all the incandescent and CFL lights from my house. Note with the exception of a few appliance lamps, like the oven etc. I'd looking to replace a few 4 foot T8 linear florescent next.

The changeover was expensive, but the light quality is great and I may never replace another light bulb!

Phil