Piece No. 4: Philips Hue Smart Bulbs
Notes below.
I. Context
The Philips Hue smart bulb was a happy accident of the mobile first world that the release of the iPhone created. Philip’s phone-first lighting system was initially intended to shortcut lengthy hardware cycles and quickly prototype a remote control for an older generation of lamps. The development team realized, though, how powerful mobile phones could be in creating a convenient, flexible lighting system - giving rise to the smart bulbs we know and use today.
In many ways, the creation of the Hue smart bulb is the 21st century evolution of Philips’ mission from the 1890s: creating cost-effective, reliable bulbs that pushed boundaries through the creative use of emerging technology.
II. Choices
A | Consistent and classic bulb design
Philips kept the shape of their smart devices consistent with what users recognize in standard LED & incandescent bulbs. Earlier energy saving bulbs, like the CFL, offered futuristic designs that never really landed - in spite of providing a cost efficient and sustainable option
Bulbs are often exposed in living spaces - this means visual appeal needs to match or exceed utility. Philips recognized this in opting for a traditional silhouette for their first smart bulbs, but have also expanded the lighting line over time to include a diverse portfolio of shapes for different environments
Taking advantage of & innovating with evolving lighting technology has also given Philips space to play with visual feel and experience without altering design
B | Dynamic tones to influence ambiance
LED bulbs historically emitted blue-toned light, making the spaces they were installed in feel sterile. Despite being more expensive, and worse for the environment, this often led users to incandescents when a cozier feel was needed
However, Hue bulbs allow for changes between warm and cool tones, in addition to supporting dimming of the light itself. Certain Hue devices also support colors beyond a standard white or yellow palette
These days, the Philips colored bulbs can even be configured to dynamically adjust to music in a room - a playful take on shaping experience with light
C | Simple but powerful mobile application
The landing page of the Hue app is straightforward - it defaults to the controls for your bulbs and enables a simple on or off toggle for each device. However, there are entrypoints to more complex ‘scene’ settings should users want to explore additional ambiances
While managing the experience once the bulbs are installed is clear, the setup process can be confusing - particularly if the bulbs are meant to plug into a broader home system. This may be a disadvantage of streamlined UI - it’s hard to know how or where to configure deeper functionality
III. Conclusions
Great, innovative design needn’t be conflated with overly complex, detailed or imaginative items - Philips Hue smart bulbs offer a lesson in balancing an innovative approach with a classic aesthetic
The bulbs are also one of the few products in the market that elegantly blend together physical and digital worlds. The mobile app mimics the bulbs - functional, simple, and well integrated into the ecosystem they are a part of