Hello -- interesting comments. I wrote this piece for CEPro.com, which serves professional installers of home automation, lighting control, audio/video and other home technologies. We're huge advocates of lighting control in general for security, convenience, ambiance and energy savings. But this new smart-bulb thing is a completely new paradigm for our industry. Traditionally, the intelligence resides in the light switches and hub. Most consumers aren't willing to swap out a light switch, but they may very well change out their bulbs. So will this smart-bulb thing catalyze the DIY market for home automation/lighting control? Will it encroach on traditional lighting-control architectures? My opinion: maybe so for cool RGB special effects, but this whole issue of having to leave the light switch on at all times, and the inability for kids and visitors to control the lights... that's a problem. Best opportunities are probably in commercial environments. Thx
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Hello -- interesting comments. I wrote this piece for CEPro.com, which serves professional installers of home automation, lighting control, audio/video and other home technologies. We're huge advocates of lighting control in general for security, convenience, ambiance and energy savings. But this new smart-bulb thing is a completely new paradigm for our industry. Traditionally, the intelligence resides in the light switches and hub. Most consumers aren't willing to swap out a light switch, but they may very well change out their bulbs. So will this smart-bulb thing catalyze the DIY market for home automation/lighting control? Will it encroach on traditional lighting-control architectures? My opinion: maybe so for cool RGB special effects, but this whole issue of having to leave the light switch on at all times, and the inability for kids and visitors to control the lights ... that's a problem. Best opportunities are probably in commercial environments. Thx