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Philips Hue just announced a huge upgrade to its lineup of smart bulbs – the inclusion of Bluetooth.
That means you’ll no longer need the $60 Hue Hub to use them, making the bulbs easier to use than ever.
Philips Hue bulbs no longer need a Hue Hub to work
Just to be clear, I’m illuminating the subject well enough, the bulbs still have Zigbee in them. They’re just like the existing Hue bulbs, with added Bluetooth. That means anyone with a smartphone can buy one bulb, plug it in, and be on their way towards smart home automation.
- Bluetooth has a shorter range than the WiFi used in the Zigbee system, meaning anyone with a larger space to light might still need the Hub
- You can always buy the bulbs now and grab the Hub later if you find it works for you. Hue recommends getting the Hub if you’re using more than 10 bulbs
- Pricing is roughly the same, $15 for a single white bulb, $25 for a single “white ambiance” bulb, and $50 for a full-color bulb
- Just the normal A19 and BR30 flood light bulbs are available now, with more Bluetooth-enabled products coming in the future
Now Hue has the same features as all of its imitators, who all added Bluetooth as a way to differentiate.
What do you think? Interested in picking up some new Philips Hue bulbs with Bluetooth? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.
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