Yesterday, Philips Hue announced some new products for the Hue ecosystem including a new E14 Luster bulb which is the smallest bulb the brand does and a couple of light panels.
The more interesting part of the news was the announcement of new features within the app.
Motion Sensors now have ten time slots
For me, the updated settings for the motion sensors could be very useful. Based on popular requests and feedback, the number of time slots for the motion sensors to activate the desired lighting will increase from the current two to ten. Whether you choose energizing bright light in the morning, warm light in the early evening to wind down, and dim light during the night, these additional time slots allow you to customize your lighting throughout the day based on your daily routine. Additionally, the Natural light scene can be selected as part of one of these time slots, to mimic the sun throughout the day. Available through an update to the Bridge, this extended feature will work on every sensor you already own and is expected to launch in Q3.
Brightness Balancer
The new brightness balancer feature allows you to adjust the relative brightness of individual lights in an Entertainment area, instead of controlling the lights as a group. This new feature was developed following requests from Philips Hue’s users, many of whom wanted to have enhanced control of their lights while watching a movie, listening to music, or gaming. The brightness balancer improves the surround lighting experience in entertainment areas that consist of a variety of Philips Hue lights. Using the brightness balancer, you can make lights that have higher lumens dim lower than lights with lower lumens — you get to decide which part of the room gets the spotlight when you are syncing your lights to your TV, movies, games, or music. The brightness balancer is scheduled to launch in Q3 and can be used with any Philips Hue Entertainment area.
Philips Hue E14 luster bulb
The Philips Hue E14 luster bulb, the brand’s smallest bulb, is now also available in millions of shades of white and color light to help you fill the tiniest corners in your home with the perfect light. About as big as a golf ball, this bulb’s size and shape fit even the smallest fixtures in your home and connects them to the comprehensive Philips Hue ecosystem.
Price and Availability:
The Philips Hue E14 luster will be available from available June 20 in the UK
- 1-pack White ambiance: GBP 29.99
- 1-pack White and color ambiance: GBP 54.99
Philips Hue Aurelle & Surimu panels
With their new shape, Philips Hue’s panels can fit any style and home decor. Aligned to today’s interior design trends, the Philips Hue Aurelle panel is now also available in a premium black finish in all shapes: square, rectangular, or round. Its floating design creates a sense of space and fills the room with shades of warm-to-cool white light. The Philips Hue Surimu panel has expanded with the introduction of a round shape (Ø395 mm) as well as a new square shape that is half as small (300 x 300 mm) as the existing Surimu square. With a white frame, this light fixture allows you to wash any area of your home in white and color light.
Price and Availability:
- Philips Hue White and color ambiance Surimu panel (available June 20 in the UK)
- Philips Hue White ambiance Aurelle panel in black (available June 20 in the UK)
- 1200 x 300mm: GBP 219.99
I am a UK tech blogger and have been in the industry for over 10 years now, running Mighty Gadget and its sister sites and contributing to other sites around the web. I am passionate about all tech, including mobile, wearables, and home automation. I am also a fitness fanatic, so I cover as much fitness tech as possible.
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