Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Lightbulb DRM: Philips Locks Purchasers Out Of 3rd-Party Bulbs With Firmware Update

posted by cmn32480 on Tuesday December 15 2015, @11:09PM   Printer-friendly
from the like-deja-vu-all-over-again dept.

tt0389722 writes:

Purchasers of the Philips Hue "smart" ambient lighting system are finding out that the new firmware pushed out by the manufacturer has cut off access to previously-supported lightbulbs.

Philips uses ZigBee, which should mean any bulbs compatible with this standard will work with its Hue products. Not anymore. The firmware update removes this support, limiting this "open, global" standard to Philips' own bulbs and those it has designated as "Friends of Hue."

When owners complained that they had been given the old bait-and-switch on products they already paid for, Philips issued this statement:

While the Philips Hue system is based on open technologies we are not able to ensure all products from other brands are tested and fully interoperable with all of our software updates. For guaranteed compatibility you need to use Philips Hue or certified Friends of Hue products.

The Philips Hue is a premium-priced LED lighting system, but the rapid pace of LED efficiency gains has started to leave them behind. Cheaper competitors have started to significantly undercut Hue's pricing. Maybe this lockout is more about pricing protection than it is about quality protection

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Lightbulb DRM: Philips Locks Purchasers Out Of 3rd-Party Bulbs With Firmware Update | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 51 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 16 2015, @01:23AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 16 2015, @01:23AM (#276923)

    If you want your house to look lived-in while you're on vacation, this could do that.
    Unlike the outlet-centric timers, these will also work with ceiling lights.
    Has a high amount of variability as well.
    Add some controlled table radios for audio accompaniment.

    In normal everyday life, like you, I don't see computer control of lights being especially useful.

    .
    I was listening to a guy being interviewed on the radio and he said "Hold on. I just had a blackout."
    The interviewer got concerned about the guy's health.
    "Oh, not that."
    "Ah, you hadn't moved in a while and the passive infrared motion detector turned off the lights in that room."

    WRT lighting, that's the kind of thing I see as (possibly) useful.

    -- gewg_

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 16 2015, @05:16AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 16 2015, @05:16AM (#276974)

    Unlike the outlet-centric timers, these will also work with ceiling lights.

    There are timers—both mechanical and electronic but non-networked—that can replace a wall switch.

    http://www.homedepot.com/c/heat_lamps_how_to_replace_a_single_pole_switch_with_a_timer_HT_PG_EL [homedepot.com]