Philips expands the smart world of Hue

Press Information

4 November, 2014

Philips expands the smart world of Hue
Introducing new ‘Friends of Hue’ – LivingColors Bloom and LightStrips add light to life at home

Auckland, New Zealand – Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, has expanded its home lighting ecosystem range Hue to include the new Friends of Hue* LivingColors Bloom and Friends of Hue LightStrips, further advancing the connected lighting revolution in New Zealand.

Philips Hue is a web-enabled LED home lighting system that is controllable using your smartphone or tablet. Friends of Hue light sources integrate seamlessly with Philips Hue, enabling users to choose from up to 16 million colours and programmable light scenes via the app (iOS or Android) on their smartphone or tablet*. Creative opportunities are endless using Hue apps – lights can slowly wake you up with the colours of sunrise, match the exact hue of a favourite photo or turn off automatically when you leave the house.

The Friends of Hue LivingColors Bloom is a compact and portable wireless light source, specifically designed to fit in hard-to-reach or small spaces. The Friends of Hue LightStripsare flexible two-metre strips of LED light designed to deliver indirect light, which can be cut to measure and tucked under a sofa or shelf to illuminate an architectural detail or otherwise dark space. Like the LivingColors Bloom, LightStrips’ colour can be tailored to match furniture or different occasions, moods or moments with the convenience of complete control through the Hue app.

General Manager for Philips Lighting New Zealand, Gordon Wiffen, says the new Friends of Hue range opens up even more light enhancing possibilities for people at home.

“Philips’ core focus is to improve people’s lives through meaningful innovation and the Friends of Hue do just that.

“The scope of smart LED technology means we are able to control lighting in a more intuitive, exciting and intelligent way – personalising your home environment through colour and light has never been easier.”

Using the internet automating service IFTTT (If This Then That), Philips Hue enables you to hook up to the internet via your smartphone or tablet and use the Friends of Hue as indicators for weather, stocks, sports scores, emails, social media and more internet services. They can be set to behave in any way you choose. For example, the lights can change colour if it’s going to rain and blink if you get an urgent email. They can also illuminate gradually as the sun sets, or flash in your sports team’s colours when they score.

Hue’s geofencing feature means your smartphone or tablet can detect when you or your family are approaching or leaving home and trigger the LivingColors Bloom or LightStrips to turn on or off automatically, or change colour or light setting – all without having to even take your device out of your pocket.
The ‘recurring schedules’ feature means you can programme Hue to enhance your family’s daily routine and create settings for activities such as waking up, homework or bedtime – without the need to reset each day. If you go on holiday, the timer function can be set to turn lights on and off at random times while you’re away to give you peace of mind.

The Philips Friends of Hue LivingColors Bloom and Friends of Hue LightStrips must be used with the Hue bridge found in the Philips Hue starter kit.

Philips Friends of Hue LivingColors Bloom (RRP $119.95) and Philips Friends of Hue LightStrips (RRP $139.95) are available nationwide at apple.co.nz and select electrical wholesalers from October 2014. The Philips Hue starter kit is sold separately (RRP $279.95).

Friends of Hue LightStrips
• Compatible with Philips Hue app and all third party apps developed for Hue (third party apps may incur subscription fees)
• Wireless connectivity via Philips Hue bridge (available with the Philips Hue starter kit sold separately RRP $279.95)
• Two metre flexible LightStrips, which can be cut to size
• Tune, dim, and control your LightStrips from almost anywhere
• Up to 16 million colours
• 120 lumen output
• 12W energy efficient LED lights
• Adheres to any solid surface
• RRP $139.95

Friends of Hue LivingColors Bloom
• Compatible with Philips Hue app and all third party apps developed for Hue (third party apps may incur subscription fees)
• Wireless connectivity via Philips Hue bridge (available with the Philips Hue starter kit sold separately RRP $279.95)
• Naturally blends into your interior
• Tune, dim and control your Bloom from almost anywhere
• Up to 16 million colours
• 120 lumen output
• 8W energy efficient LED light
• RRP $119.95

Website: www.meethue.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tweethue
Facebook: www.facebook.com/huePhilips

* Use of product requires a Philips Hue starter kit sold separately and a smart device with iOS 4.3 or later or Android 2.2 or later. Use of product requires wireless internet connection. Third party data download, internet and subscription fees may apply.

Notes to editors:

A Friend of Hue: Any product or app, created by Philips or an independent developer that integrates and works seamlessly with the Hue lighting system.

ENDS

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