Philips Hue - an RGB LED bulb with Zigbee

[LSDave]

Agree with Kevin... these bulbs are brighter than other LEDs I've tried in the past. (Technically, the LEDs are not RGB, they're actually orange, lime, violet - a choice Philips made to produce higher quality white light).

The color changing capabilities are cool for occasional use. For example, for election night we just pulled up a photo of an American flag and pointed to the colors we want reproduced. Easy... it's all red, white and blue. (You can also shake your idevice and it will randomly pick new colors from the photo).

But, I also really like the 4 default white settings (Relax, Concentrate, Reading and Energize) which walk you through a warm white to daylight color temperature.

That sounds very cool.

[urbanmark]

Just curious (read: hopeful) that some talented forum member(s) could integrate Philips Hue into our C4 systems ;-)

While the official API isn't available yet, there is an unofficial API and support happening at the everyhue.com forum which includes participants from Philips Hue development team. Lots of interesting development going on including:

* Siri control, mobile apps (4 now available on iTunes), Mac OSX menu bar integration.

* DMX control

* sending a text msg to change colors

* bulbs automatically changing colors to match album cover art or screen images

They've had hack-a-thons and are now planning a developers conference in March.

Still think C4 integration would be kinda cool.

[Kevin L]

No open API = not touching it

[urbanmark]

From Philips Hue press release:

"Philips is opening up the hue app to the developer community and has created an open source platform at www.meethue.com inviting developers to explore the app and unleash even more possibilities to show what light can do to enhance your life. You can share light scenes or get inspired on the meethue.com community site. Philips hue uses the open ZigBee Light Link standard so that it can be integrated with other ZigBee certified systems". Source: http://www.newscenter.philips.com/main/standard/news/press/2012/20121029-introducing-philips-hue.wpd#.UP86dKUbTbw

Not sure what's holding-up the 'official' documentation, Philips is clearly on board, unofficial API documentation here: http://blog.ef.net/2012/11/02/philips-hue-api.html

Hopefully, eventually, fingers-crossed, we might have C4 integration...

[akg4y]

Seems like this kickstarter project got kicked in the nuts by Philips before it even got off the ground. My guess is if there are any patents involved here there will be multiple lawsuits... http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented

One other thing... wont these lights and the kickstarter project both have the same issues Control4 had with Lutron with the wireless polling patent?

[urbanmark]

No open API = not touching it

Kevin... good news, open API is out: http://developers.meethue.com Hope you/others might reconsider... I'd sign-up to buy Hue + C4 integration.

(Also, the Hue iOS App was just featured in Apple's latest TV add. http://youtu.be/nvKyYeJJYwM )

[CFUG]

You would likely *remove* the dimmer going to these bulbs, and replace it with a Control4 2/3/6-button keypad.

You could then control the light with the keypad, and have the fixture wired straight through to power.

RyanE

Sorry to necro but just now had some interest in this product for a neighbor of mine.  Let me understand, out of the box there is no elegant way of operating this bulb using only standard C4 controls and methods.  Only through one of two drivers avail. and the Hue hub?  Can you also include the switch or dimmer (set to act like switch) in the Hue scene to make this a one-button operation?  If so, how is timing of the C4 switch handled in relation to the hue's IP commands?  Aside from color, this seems like a kludge.  Is this a fair assessment of this situation?