HomeKit-enabled Philips Hue line gets new motion sensor, bulbs

One of the few products in the Internet of Things that has worked properly since Day One is the Philips Hue line of connected smart lightbulbs. Apple HomeKit was added to the line, so it’s been possible to use Siri to turn on lights or “scenes”. Now Philips has added the new Philips Hue Motion Sensor (US$39.95) to the line, allowing Hue owners to control lighting with movement rather than an app or switch.

The Motion Sensor provides users with instantaneous reaction times, turning on lights within .5 seconds and at an average detection range of 5 meters. The app now allows lights to be personalized, with a more gentle light at night and additional brightness during the day. 

Inside the Motion Sensor is a daylight sensor to activate lights as it gets dark or turn them off when the light level reaches a certain threshold. As with the rest of the Philip Hue devices, the Motion Sensor is easy to set up; it’s battery-powered and wireless, and can be placed just about anywhere. The Motion Sensor is expected to be widely available from Meethue.com, Amazon.com and Best Buy in October of 2016.

In other Hue news, the company is also introducing new Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 bulbs. The newest bulbs offer richer greens and blues than before. Philips is also coming out with new BR-30 and GU-10 bulbs in the Hue White Ambiance line so they can be used in even more lighting fixtures.