STACK #257 March 2026

SMART HOME

TECH FEATURE

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GET SMARTER WITH SMART LIGHTING

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Personalise your space Smart lighting is also a great way to make a space feel more personal – whether you own or rent your home. It provides precise control, flexible routines, and remote access from almost anywhere. Lights can switch on just before you arrive home, gently fade up in the morning, or change colour for special occasions. Individual bulbs can operate independently, allowing different moods in different rooms – or sync together for cohesive lighting throughout the home. There’s also plenty of choice. From bulbs and downlights to strip lighting, light bars, and outdoor floodlights, smart lighting solutions can suit almost any layout and budget. Easy and efficient Most smart lighting systems are controlled via a smartphone app or smart home hub. Many also integrate with voice assistants, such as Alexa and Google, allowing hands-free control. Automation reduces wasted energy by ensuring smart lights operate only when needed – dim at scheduled times, or automatically off when you leave home. Most smart lights use long-lasting LED tech, so they’re highly energy efficient and designed for years of use.

schedule changes – bringing better alignment with your body’s natural patterns, improved focus during the day, and a more restful wind down at night.

consistent evening light reduction can improve sleep onset and overall sleep quality. Smart lighting can be automated to help maintain a steady daily rhythm – even if your

Philips Hue Bridge Pro A lighting hub for your smart home

How it works If you want to expand a Philips Hue smart lighting setup, the Philips Hue Bridge Pro unlocks the system’s most advanced features. The Bridge Pro supports over 150 lights, 50 accessories, and up to 500 scenes (distinct lighting and colour setups for a room), making it ideal for larger homes or more ambitious lighting displays. It connects via ethernet or Wi-Fi for flexible placement and offers improved

processing power for faster responsiveness. Migration from a previous Hue Bridge is straightforward through the Hue app. Light up your life As the central hub of a Philips Hue system, the Bridge Pro allows lights to communicate with each other for broader coverage and reliable

performance across your home. The Hue Bridge Pro is equipped with new MotionAware tech, which enables compatible Hue lights to detect movement and respond – reducing the need for separate motion sensors. Lights can automatically activate as you enter a room and then switch off when it’s empty, adding convenience and potential energy savings. It also integrates with major smart

home voice assistants like Alexa, Google, and Siri, enabling hands-free control and advanced automation. Entertainment syncing allows lights to react dynamically to music, movies, or games for a more immersive experience. With expanded capacity, enhanced encryption and flexible connectivity, the Philips Hue Bridge Pro gives you deeper control over your home’s smart lighting system, helping you tailor the illumination that suits your lifestyle with precision and ease.

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MARCH 2026