SETUP
Seemed simple enough. Connect hub to your router (hard wired, had hope it was WiFi), and make sure it has power and put two light bulbs in an area you want to use them. Load the app on your phone and follow the directions.
It was simple and it was easy.
WHY, I WANTED THIS
I’ve lived in this house 23 years. There has never been a way to turn the foyer lights on from the garage in all that time. Electrically it would cost more than you might think due to the amount of wires in that area and switches. Instead $60 later I have a more flexible solution.
My phone can turn the foyer wall light on, if I’ve realized I forgot to leave it on, right from my car, as my phone will connect with the wireless from the driveway. Similarly I can turn a kitchen light on as well. Neither of these needed any special color, so the plain white Hue bulbs worked fine.
TO ADDRESS NOT NEEDING TO USE A SMART PHONE, PAIR IT WITH A LOGITEC POP.
What prompted me to finally go with this solution, is that I could eliminate the use of the smart phone with a simple little electronic switch. Inside my garage is a Logitech POP and if I tap this once, it turns on the foyer light, twice the kitchen light and a long press turns on both.
This seems like a lot of technology to do such a simple thing, but the wiring to do this would be formidable. This is one of the few lightly solutions that work with the POP and this is why I bought the Phillips Hue.
AMAZON ECHO:
Yes, now I can talk to my lights and tell the Echo to turn them on or off. I had not thought of this till I saw it on the box. Handy.
WORKS WITH APPLE AND ANDROID:
I was very disconcerted when I saw the box as it gave the illusion that it only worked with Apple devices. While I have an ipad, I have an Android phone. I’m happy to report that it works with both and the info was included.
ISSUES:
One of my Phillips lights never turns fully off though the app says it’s off. I have an email into customer service at Phillips to see if there is any recourse to fix this. I will let you know how that turns out. So far I have waited a week. There is a do not reply on their reply to me, so I can’t quickly ping them, but would have to get back to them via the web site. Hence the 3 stars. Would be 5 if it worked or Phillips responded in 24-48 hours.
UPDATE ON ISSUES:
Phillips came through for me. Shortly after I posted this review, a rep contacted me and sent me a label to mail back the bulb in question. I have the new one and it works great.
For years I dealt with a difficult lighting situation in my foyer and this solution works great for me. Paired with Amazon's Echo. I tell the light to turn on before I leave and using the Logitech Pop switch in the garage I turn it off. I could also use my phone.
| Brand | Philips Hue |
|---|---|
| Light Type | LED |
| Special Feature | Motion Sensor |
| Wattage | 10 |
| Bulb Shape Size | A19 |
| Bulb Base | E26 |
| Incandescent Equivalent Wattage | 60 Watts |
| Specific Uses For Product | Indoor use only |
| Light Color | Hue White, Soft White |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Color Temperature | 2700 Kelvin |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Brightness | 750 |
| Shape | A19 |
| Model Name | Philips Hue White A19 60W Equivalent Smart Bulb Starter Kit (Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant) |
| Connectivity Technology | Infrared |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Controller Type | SmartThings, Other |
| Included Components | Philips Hue White A19 60W Equivalent Smart Bulb Starter Kit (Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant) |
| Connectivity Protocol | Zigbee |
| Color Rendering Index | 80 |
| Power Consumption | 10 Watts |
| Sensor Technology | [POSSIBLE] |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Light Source Type | LED |
| Specification Met | ANCE, UL Listed, Lighting Facts, certified frustration-free, ETL |
| Light Source Wattage | 9.5 Watts |
| Accepted voltage frequency | 100 to 120 Volts and 60 Hertz |
| Control Method | Voice |
| White Brightness | 800 Lumens |
| Efficiency | High |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00046677455309 |
| Manufacturer | Philips Lighting |
| UPC | 046677455309 |
| Part Number | 455303 |
| Item Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 11.22 x 7.28 x 3.86 inches |
| Item model number | 455303 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 2-Bulb Starter Kit |
| Color | White |
| Style | Standard |
| Finish | Soft White |
| Special Features | Motion Sensor |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 2 years parts and labor. |
