Key Takeaways

• Philips Hue introduces Hue Play Screen Sync, allowing smart lights to sync with TV content from any source using a fisheye camera.
• Custom AI Behaviors feature enables users to set lighting automations with simple natural language commands.
• A new 4K Philips Hue Sync Box is released, alongside new third-party collaborations and various smart light options for festive decorations.

Major Upgrade for Philips Hue Smart Lights

Philips Hue is revolutionizing the smart lighting experience with the introduction of the Hue Play Screen Sync, showcased at a recent event in Berlin. This new system allows users to synchronize smart lights, like light strips and bars, with the colors on a TV screen, regardless of the source. Previously, this immersive feature was restricted to content played through the Philips Hue HDMI Sync Box, which connects between an HDMI source and the TV. Non-HDMI content was incompatible, limiting the user experience.

The innovative Hue Play Screen Sync employs a fisheye camera to monitor the TV screen and match the light output accordingly, enhancing viewing experiences across various sources. While similar solutions exist from competitors like Govee and Nanoleaf, camera-based systems typically struggle with issues such as screen reflections and increased latency. Nevertheless, there are high hopes that Philips’s implementation will rival the performance of the HDMI Sync Box.

In addition to the new syncing technology, Philips Hue unveiled the Custom AI Behaviors feature. This enhancement allows users to create lighting automations using natural language instead of traditional app interfaces, making the process more intuitive and less time-consuming. For instance, users can now instruct the system to alter lighting setups for weekends automatically or trigger specific scenes after dark.

An AI assistant is already part of the Philips Hue app, helping users find or create lighting scenes based on natural language descriptions. The new Custom AI Behaviors significantly expands this capability, streamlining advanced automations without the usual hassles of navigating through settings.

Furthermore, a new 4K version of the Philips Hue Sync Box has been introduced, priced more affordably than its 8K counterpart. For the first time, this Sync Box allows users to connect a single light to their TV via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a Philips Hue Bridge.

Philips is also pursuing third-party collaborations to enhance its ecosystem. A partnership with Nanoleaf is expected to integrate their Shapes lights into the Hue system. Additionally, a collaboration with Sonos will allow Philips Hue controls to manage Sonos speakers with specific Hue switches.

The company is expanding its smart lighting range with an array of festive-themed options, including Festavia curtain, net, and icicle lights, perfect for Halloween and Christmas celebrations. Another exciting addition is the Philips Hue Liane, a 360-degree rope light featuring LEDs that encircle its entire length. This innovative design provides a seamless gradient effect without visible gaps. Notably, the OmniGlow outdoor strip light introduces this technology outdoors for the first time.

The Philips Hue community can look forward to reviews and hands-on experiences with these new products in upcoming releases, marking an exciting time for smart lighting enthusiasts.

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