Signify, the parent company of Philips Hue, today announced two new Hue lighting products, a new HDMI Sync Box and a new pendant light, plus new software-based features.
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is the successor to the existing Hue Play Sync Box that came out in 2019. It's designed to connect to your TV, acting as an interface between your TV and connected set-top boxes, gaming systems, and more. The Sync Box has the ability to detect content and match the color of your connected Hue lights to what's on your TV.
HDMI 2.1 support was a feature largely missing from the current Sync Box, but the new model adds HDMI 2.1 for use with the PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and other devices that can take advantage of the standard. It supports resolutions up to 8K and refresh rates up to 60Hz for video content and 120Hz for console gaming.
Up to 10 color-coded Hue bulbs can be synced to the Sync Box, with color selection on screen. Brightness and intensity can be controlled in the Philips Hue app.
The Philips Hue Ensis, a new pendant light, is available for purchase in the US starting today. Available in black or white, it features two individually controllable lights, supporting both white and other color shades. It also offers a bottom light and an uplight for different activities.
Along with the new products, Signify is updating the Philips Hue app with four new effects, Cosmos, Underwater, Enchant, and Sunbeam. These animated effects can be used with select Hue lights. There are also now options to change the brightness, speed, and base color, adding even more variety to the effects options.
The Hue app gains a Do Not Disturb option, which prevents motion sensors from changing the active scene when motion is detected, and starts and stops simulated presence and timers via Hue switches.
Later this year, the Philips Hue app will support the integration of multiple bridges, so there will be no need to set them up and display them separately. It will be possible to add multiple bridges to a single home, with a unified display that includes all the products in the home.
Potential Hue customers will soon be able to use a new augmented reality feature in the app to explore Hue lights before making a purchase. The lights can be viewed in physical spaces, and the app can display realistic lighting environments to provide insight into what the light looks like in real life. The feature is slated to launch in fall 2024.
For non-Apple users, Philips Hue Secure cameras are now compatible with Alexa and Google Home, but are not compatible with HomeKit. Routines can be set up to turn Secure on and off based on a daily schedule, and there’s a new battery saving option for battery cameras.
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is available from the Philips Hue website and Best Buy starting today. It's priced at $350. The Philips Hue Ensis is available from the Hue website for $480.