Philips today announced its first Apple HomeKit-compatible product, debuting with the Hue Bridge 2.0, an updated version of its original Hue Bridge. With the Hue Bridge 2.0, your line of lights Philips Hue are capable of working with Apple's home automation platform, allowing all existing Hue bulbs to be controlled with Siri voice commands, thus giving a unique integration experience between home and your Apple devices.
Commands like "Turn on red lights" can be used for specific colors, while commands like "Set the lamp to 30 percent" can be used for dimming the lights. Lighting scenes that have been available in the Philips Hue app can now be activated using Siri. With the HomeKit integration, a whole kit of lights can be manipulated with a single command. While most HomeKit applications support other HomeKit products, the Hue Bridge 2.0 application will work differently. It can be used to control the Hue line of lights and configure specific light scenes, but not able to incorporate other HomeKit products. Hue lighting scenes will be available in other HomeKit apps, however if it is possible to group Hue lights with other products, using a command to do things like unlock a door and turn lights on at the same time.
"Lighting is the most accessible aspect of a connected home, and as Internet-compatible lighting is the new future, we are taking connected lighting to the next phase," said Eric Rondolat, CEO of Philips Lighting. "By integrating Philips Hue with Apple HomeKit, we are extending the experience of light beyond what has been possible before, and it also provides interoperability with other home devices connected to the network."
The new Hue Bridge 2.0 is similar to the existing Hue Bridge, but is square like the Apple TV using a small space within your home. Along with the new Hue Bridge 2.0, Philips is also debuting a new set of lights. The new Hue bulbs are somewhat brighter at 800 lumens instead of 600 lumens. The original Hue Bridge will not be updated with HomeKit compatibility as it does not have the necessary hardware, but Philips plans to continue to support with software updates. Owners of the original Hue Bridges will need to purchase a Hue Bridge 2,0 to access HomeKit, but will receive a $ 20 discount ** on the product. The new Hue Bridge 2.0 is priced at $ 60 **. The complete lighting kit with the new bulbs and the new Hue Bridge is priced at $ 200 **.
** Prices may vary depending on the country of purchase.
