Smart lighting company Philips Hue has launched its first wired wall module. Installed behind existing wall switches, the new devices bring non-smart lights to the Hue ecosystem for the first time. Hue also announced new play table and floor lamps, which are more affordable versions of its Signe series, along with an upgrade to its E14 candle bulb, which adds a broader white light spectrum and Matter-over-Thread compatibility.
The new lights are now available globally; However, wired wall switch modules are only in Europe. Signify CTO George Yianni said The Verge There are currently no plans to launch these in the US, but the company will consider doing so if there is enough interest. “The DIY module is not such an established category in the US; it’s a fully integrated switch,” he said. “If people really want these in the US, maybe we’ll look at it. I think the modules are pretty exciting; it’s something we’ve been talking about for a long time.”
The modules are in-wall relays that install behind existing switches to control any non-smart lights connected to them, such as recessed ceiling or pendant lights. They can then be controlled with Hue’s smart bulbs in the Hue app.
Several companies, including Aqara and Shelly, offer in-wall relays that add smart controls to existing lights without replacing switches, but these are the first companies that will work with the Hue app.
There are three versions of the Hue Wired Wall Switch Module, with prices starting at €44.99: a 1-channel module for single-rocker switches, a 2-channel module for double-rocker switches, and a dimmer module.
The fourth module is a wired version of Hue’s existing battery-powered wall module, which lets you use your existing light switches to control Hue lights. Unlike the Relay module, this will work with Hue’s MotionAware and could be part of a new whole-home motion-sensing system.
The candle bulbs cost $109.99 (€109.99) for a two-pack of white and color-changing lights. Upgrades include higher lumen output, a broader white light spectrum (1000-20,000K), and Hue’s ChromaSync color technology. Designed for decorative fixtures, chandeliers and wall sconces, they dim up to 0.2%. The bulbs now feature Matter-over-Thread technology, allowing them to connect directly with ecosystems like Apple Home and Google Home without the need for a Hue bridge.
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