Hue cleverly illuminates bedside tables, Vis button prevents lighting from accidents

The manufacturer Signify is expanding the range of its two brands for smart lighting with a series of new products. At Philips Hue, a high-priced Bluetooth and Zigbee bedside lamp called Hue Twilight stands out, which aims to make it easier to fall asleep and wake up with multiple light sources and a few software tricks. The Wiz Dial Switch with Wi-Fi Dimmer Switch offers an alternative operating aid thanks to the Wiz app and voice assistance. It is designed in such a way that, with a little finesse, it can replace conventional switches and thus prevent smart bulbs from being accidentally disconnected from the circuit. During the product demo, the first impression was reassuring.

Advertisement

Hue Twilight: smart sunset at the touch of a button

The Philips Hue Twilight is a table lamp that is about 40 centimeters high and about 20 centimeters wide and deep and is meant for use at the bed. It has two separately controllable LED light sources that are permanently integrated. The lampshade, which shines downwards at an angle, houses light-emitting diodes for warm and cool white. Behind the lamp is a light source that displays not only white but also RGB colors. It consists of three LED groups that are arranged vertically.

When activated automatically, the backlight simulates a rising or setting sun. Because of the trio’s overlapping controls, the effect appeared more natural during the product demo than just changing the color and brightness of a single LED group. Placed in a corner, you can choose which adjacent wall the effect will be projected onto. Because the lampshade can be rotated, it shines toward the bed in both cases.

With the two multifunctional buttons on the top you can activate the sunset as an automatic sleep function directly on the device. Switching on and off and switching through various scenes is also possible there. A wake-up light that gradually gets brighter can be programmed using the Hue app. A Bluetooth connection is sufficient for this. For the full range of functions of the Hue system – such as sensor automation – you switch to Zigbee operation. This requires a gateway (60 euros) from the manufacturer.

Tap to Pay launches in Germany: iPhones accept contactless payments

In addition to the color gradient effects, the lamp can reproduce the rhythm of daylight. Then, when you turn on the light, it shines cool in the morning and warm in the evening, without the need to manually change the color temperature. The Twilight Bedside Lamp is now available with a black or white plastic housing for 280 euros.

Viz dial switch: WLAN switch fits older clippers

Ceiling outlet smart light bulbs rely on power from the wall light switch. One careless press of the light switch – and they no longer respond to any app or voice commands due to lack of power. To prevent this, Wizz is introducing a smart switch replacement for its Wi-Fi light range. The mounting plate of the Wizz dial switch offers suitable drill holes and edge dimensions of 86 millimeters to screw it onto the wall socket of a conventional light switch. In this scenario, you not only remove the old cover but also the switch insert and bridge the lamp wires using a clamp so that they can permanently conduct power to the ceiling outlet.

Only experienced electricians are allowed to do this, so it’s not for laymen. If you’re afraid of the hassle of electrical work, stick the mounting plate to a wall. The Viz Switch sticks to it magnetically and can be carried with you like a remote control. Then you’re not immune to accidental switch-off accidents, but you have an option of app and voice control.

As the name suggests, the dial switch offers a rotary switch that dims the light and sets it to 100 or 0 percent. Two additional buttons activate four lighting scenes with short and long presses. The switch controls as many Wi-Fi lights as the Wi-Fi router can tolerate and is within a wireless range of 15 meters. According to Viz, with ten accesses per day, the integrated battery does not need charging for up to three months. It recharges its battery via a USB-C socket.

The dial switch is either connected to the lamp via Wi-Fi Direct or configured with a Wi-Fi router as an exchange using the Wiz v2 app. The switch is compatible with all Wiz products as well as partner brands. When it comes to Meta Services software, Wiz doesn’t match it. It is available now for 28 euros.

(There)