Here schonmal a quick overview:
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+ Convenient operation
+ Now mature system betw. Hardware and software
+ Many useful functions such Geofancing or IFTTT
- Unfortunately still quite high price
- Luminosity of the bulb is still somewhat low
I deal occupationally but also enjoys spending time with the Internet of Things; So the networked everyday objects. Since I find color and light concepts very appealing was the decision clear: it was needed an illuminant system that can also be controlled via smartphone.
After several searches the choice fell on the Philips Hue. The system is currently the most mature system available on the market. Why is this so, I explain the same. The starter comes with 3 power-saving LED lamps (bulbs) and the required Bridge. The Bridge is sort of the base station of pears and is connected directly to the router. 50 bulbs can be activated, which is probably sufficient for most households should Pro Bridge.
The bulbs have a luminosity of 600 lumens at a max respectively. Power of 8.5 watts, which is roughly equivalent to a conventional 50 watt bulb. In everyday life, I find this luminous intensity sufficient for the realization of individual color concepts, but to "funzelig" to illuminate a room even with several pears sufficient. What I have not been thinking: bright colors such as white, cream and soft tones are also of the luminosity very bright strong colors like blue are also at the strongest level rather Ambilight, but no way to use more to read.. Here I would like to see in the future of Philips also lamps that are significantly more luminous.
The bulbs can be controlled very pleasant on the native app from Philips. Own "color sets" can be saved "scenes" as so-called. Positive case: Phillips offers an open interface, so there are now also several other apps that surpass the functionality of Originalapp or simply have a different focus. The quality of the software is now also at a good level. Initially there were dropouts and certain features were hard to use, but now almost all goes smoothly.
In everyday life has shown us that we do not use lots of color matches and opportunities so intense. We have only 2-3 color sets, which are used depending on the situation. For the many features of the app really are worth gold! In particular, the Geofancing function is a hit! If my wife or I get close to our house, the light comes on automatically. We leave the house, the lights go out. This is so handy that you very quickly accustomed. Unfortunately, the app is a little silly. When I leave the house, but my wife is still in the house, the lights go out also, although she needs it so. Here I would still like to see an intelligent solution that recognizes connected smartphones.
Other useful features include automatic time switches and in particular the connection to the service IFTTT (if this, than that). The service allows certain actions to satisfy a condition defined trigger. For example, one of the bulbs blink green when my favorite football club Werder Bremen and would have scored a goal. Or the arrival of a mail of a specific recipient, the color of the lamps should change. Combined with additional sensors or gadgets the imagination knows no boundaries. Personally, I use still like the option to combine the pears with the Ambilight the Philips TV. This makes the Ambilight widens addition to the pears and immerses the entire room in the colors that are currently being displayed on the TV. That looks very awesome.
Unfortunately, the price of just under 200 euros for the starter and 60 per bulb is not a no-brainer. Accordingly, it will be difficult for Philips to reach the mass market. Nevertheless, the system is currently the most promising. I have also seen other systems and even home the alternative system of LIFX. The only advantage of LIFX is the stronger luminosity. But it is constantly losing the pears the connection and there are also many other childhood diseases. Also, a bridge is not there at the LIFX. The required at Philips among others for Geofancing function and gives the system on the software side, a certain stability.
My conclusion: I do not want to miss more and look forward to more bulbs, the Hue. The only downside is the relatively high price.
