Philips has unveiled a new Hue Bridge 2.0 which has been enhanced to support Apple HomeKit.
Like something straight out of a science fiction novel, Philips Hue lights can be voice controlled through Siri on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch, and integrated to work seamlessly and securely with other HomeKit-enabled devices. So with only one command you can unlock the front door, turn the lights on and the heating up, truly transforming how you experience and interact with your home.
“Lighting is the most accessible aspect of the connected home, and as the lighting expert for the Internet of Things we are taking connected lighting to the next phase,” said Eric Rondolat, Chief Executive Officer at Philips Lighting. “By integrating Philips Hue with Apple HomeKit, we are broadening people’s experience of light beyond what has been previously possible, providing seamless interoperability with other connected home devices.” 
Siri Voice Control
Using Siri and third-party apps, HomeKit-enabled devices across a home can interact to deliver dynamic new experiences in an easy and secure way. You can ask Siri to ‘wake up’ your home, turning on your Philips Hue lights and setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature helping you and your family have a pleasant start to the day. At night you can ask Siri to recall light scenes you’ve created using the Philips Hue app, or set your home to ‘night mode’ turning off your lights and locking your front door.
New Philips Hue Bridge
The new Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 seamlessly brings together existing and forthcoming Philips Hue bulbs and lamps, so that they benefit from all the functionalities of HomeKit and work seamlessly with other HomeKit-enabled devices. Through Philips Hue app 1.10, the new Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 will be able to support multiple connected home platforms now and into the future, including Apple HomeKit and iOS 9. Imagine asking Siri to dim a light by simply saying “Siri, dim the table lamp to 30 percent” or illuminating a specific room by saying “Siri, turn on the bathroom light.” You can even recall a favorite scene such as ‘Sunset’ by saying “Sunset mode.” The new, square shaped, Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 is compatible with the Philips Hue app and third-party apps including those with HomeKit support. The original, round shaped, Philips Hue Bridge will also continue to be supported and receive software updates.
Seamless Interoperability
Philips Hue personal wireless lighting is a seamless ecosystem covering bulbs, lamps and controls, so that you can operate all of your lights at home using any smart device including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch, or when away from home through MyHue portal. Philips Hue is leading the way by delivering the best possible lighting experience for every space in your home with brighter A19 bulbs at 806 lumens. Turn on living by choosing a white light recipe to help you feel energized in the morning, by creating your own colorful light scene to enhance an atmosphere, or by surrounding yourself with light through syncing Philips Hue to music via one of over 450 third-party apps. With Philips Hue, light can wake you up, welcome you home, and turn the everyday into the extraordinary – turning on your life with light.
The new Philips Hue Bridge is available in Europe and North America from October 6, 2015 and will be priced at $60.
