Signify has just announced two new Philips Hue intelligent lighting products, as well as two adjustments to existing products. The new Amarant linear focus can illuminate external walls for a little contrast, but much more interesting for most people is the Philips Hue wall switch module, which corrects one of the oldest problems with intelligent lighting: a smart light in a mute switch receptacle.
The Philips Hue wall switch module is the only non-wireframe bit in this exploded diagram.
In the past – as all the ages before the Philips Hue wall switch module will now be known – if someone turned off the switch that controlled their smart lighting, that would be a curtain. You really would have to get up, walk all the way to it and turn the switch back on to make it work again, regretting every slow step on your way back and forth. Fortunately, that time has come to an end.
Although the new Philips Hue wall switch module does not turn stupid lights into smart lights, it will turn your switch into an intelligent control, which can trigger scenes remotely and which remote commands can reverse. This means that the switch to which it is connected can control its lights without interfering with the Assistant or application controls. Or, more anecdotally, you can turn on the sofa lights after your Uncle Kevin accidentally turned them off for the thousandth time after he explained very clearly that This one switch cannot be turned off because of its extravagant lights. (This really isn’t too complicated, Kevin, just don’t touch that button.)
The Philips Hue wall switch module is battery powered, courtesy of a coin cell battery, although it is rated to last finally five years on a charge, you will disassemble that key again to replace it as soon as it dies. It is not a problem, but it is something to plan for, especially if you are not comfortable installing or maintaining something like this – although we cannot imagine it being very difficult to do.
It will be available this summer for those of us in North America and a little earlier in the spring for Europeans. Prices vary by market, but we can expect to pay $ 40 for one or $ 70 for two here in the United States.
The Amarant linear searchlight in action – they can be chained together.
The Amarant linear highlight will be available a little earlier: March 2 in North America, starting at $ 170. As before, the EU did this a little earlier, on January 26.
The new Philips Hue dimmer switch.
There is also a redesigned Philips Hue dimmer switch with fully wireless controls and a magnetic rear. Essentially, it will allow you to remove the switch (or at least its controls) from the wall, charge it and throw it on the couch. But at least you can still control those lights, courtesy of the Wizard, when you do this.
The new dimmer switch will be available from February 23 in North America (January 26 for the EU) for $ 25.
The company also announced that its Philips Hue Appear, which debuted last year, is now available in brushed stainless steel, apparently only in the EU, available on January 26 for € 150.