Is Hue in Your Future?

This week, I am going to change direction and write about something a bit lighter. With all of the problems our country’s leadership is having, I don’t want to add any more frustration and anxiety onto you.

So this week I am going to write about a new technology that I find it very interesting.

Since Thomas Edison invented the first incandescent light bulb in 1879, not much has changed until recent years. Sure, there have been better and longer lasting incandescent light bulbs in all sizes and shapes but nothing major has happened until recently.

These days, we have halogen, CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps), and LED (Light Emitting Diodes) bulbs. The latter is more efficient and longer lasting than any other type of light source, although still expensive, it is being developed for more and more applications within the home.

Some of the new LED lights have wireless capability that can be controlled with a smartphone. Philips came out with a 3-bulb set and its own communicator (bridge) called Hue that can set you back about $200. The bridge can control up to 50 bulbs and each bulb has a unique Web address for communication on the Internet.

Of course that’s a lot of money for three light bulbs but check out the things you can do with them. These LED bulbs can create 16 million colors which you can easily set with your smartphone or computer.

Once you install the app on your iOS or Android device, you can remotely control your home lighting for added security, personalize your lighting experience with custom settings, or program timers to help manage daily schedules. For example, you can turn on the lights just before you arrive home from work. If you're working late or maybe are out for the night, you can simply turn your lights on or off remotely. You can also set your lights to come on at a set time. Perfect if you're away on vacation but you want people to think you're still home!

Here are some more features. The app has several light recipes for different moods. The Relax setting will change the selected bulbs to a soft, soothing glow. The Energize setting will turn the lights to a bright and vibrant color to give you energy boost. The Concentrate setting tested in schools to a tone and brightness that’ll keep you focused and alert.

You can also set your lights to gradually brighten or dim over time. Kids like their lights on at night and you can dim the lights gradually and automatically as they fall sleep.

These bulbs can be turned into any colors with just a click on your smartphone. Imagine changing the colors for various events such as that deep red color for your romantic Valentine dinner or the multicolored perfect for Disco party you always wanted to throw. :)

In my opinion, the coolest thing you can do is to take a picture of anything or anywhere and have the bulbs match that color. If you want the lights match the color of pumpkin for your Halloween, just take a picture of it and have the bulb match it. You can create the lighting to match that beautiful sunset dinner you had on a vacation. Just upload the picture of it and you will have the same sunset in your house.

Is there a Hue under your Christmas tree this year?

To learn more about it see Philips web site at https://www.meethue.com/en-US.

You can also watch this short video about it.