I am a dabbler in home automation and thinking about starting to get into lighting. I have heard mostly good things about the Philip Hue line and wanted to see what peoples thoughts are about it.
Our main current automation are a large number of Google Smart Speaker and Arlo video doorbells. Everything is working now on the Google ecosystem which I think Philip Hue will connect with. Our house is 100 years old which means that our possibilities to automate are lower than a new home since we have very few overhead lights, power outlets are at a premium (we have lots of power strips running through the house).
We are thinking about doing smart bulbs in some lamps which we can leave on and a chandalier. I think the biggest issue will leaving things always powered on.
I am glad that your bulbs have lasted 7 years. I knew the Hue were the high end brand and am glad it isn’t all branding but hold up over time. I didn’t consider the switch but that will be needed for a few of these. Some we were considering would be set on timers all the time but having a switch would be nice
I didn’t think I needed a switch until the mother in law came and turned off all my lights manually. A switch keeps things in line but lets family still work with your bulbs the old fashioned way
Makes sense to have a switch to make it simple and idiot proof. We have a sink that has a sensor and a handle that both need to be on to turn on. We have to explain it to everyone who tries to wash their hands at our house.