Windows/Mac: There are plenty of apps you can use to put on a little light show in your house (or geek den) if you’ve bought into Philips’ Hue ecosystem. My room is full of the company’s expensive colour-changing LED bulbs, and I’ve checked out a few of these apps, but generally don’t need to make my room look like an exploding volcano on a regular basis. These kinds of apps are fun for parties, but not all that practical for everyday use.
iOS/Android: Philips has released a major update to its Hue app that actually makes it worth using. And I'm not being over the top when I say that; prior to this update, the Hue app was a mess. It felt like it took forever to load; the user interface was challenging, to put it nicely; and it made me set off on a hunt for the best third-party apps I could use to control my fancy Hue lights without the headache and stress of the official Hue app.
So, you bought an Amazon Echo but aren't sure what to do with it other than ask it silly questions, set timers, and roll a dice. Before you return it, know there's a whole bunch else you can do with that smart speaker.
I wanted dimmable lights in my apartment, but like most people, my lease won't let me mess with the electricals. I thought I was stuck until I found the the Philips Hue Dimmer Switch. It's cheap, gives you instant dimmable lights with little setup, and leaves the door open to cooler smart home gear in the future.
