STACK #193 Nov 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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SETTING IT UP If you’ve ever changed a light bulb then you’re ready to go with all of the basic smart lighting options – just make sure that you have the right fitting and away you go, as they fit the same way. Many of the other

HIGH-LIGHTS! Smart lightstrips can be very handy for

installing subtle – or blatant if that’s your go – lighting highlights in your space. Under the bed to give it a welcoming glow, or at the back of those storage cubes to put all of those fab collectibles in the spotlight – and all changeable at your will.

A SHAMELESS PLUG! Even if you have a “dumb” old lamp, you can make it smart via a smart plug. Insert it into

replacement bulbs to lighting solutions for

to your set-up, and have the Bridge act as their central brain via a handy, easy to navigate app on Android or iOS. It’s all fully compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa and Apple HomeKit, too. YOU’VE GOT SURROUND SOUND, NOW GET SURROUND LIGHT! If you’re at all like us, you’ll love sitting in the middle of a ring of speakers, cranking the volume on the receiver and feeling right in the middle of your favourite movies as sound swirls all around. Philips Hue has introduced a similar experience involving light, and it all starts with the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box. With most modern equipment supporting

smart lighting sources, such as LED strips, all come with clear instructions and are easy to install – even your nan could do it. Depending on what you’ve opted for, you then just

absolutely every room in the house – even products especially made for the bathroom – there’s something suitable for everyone. There’s even a range of Hue products designed to withstand the

a power point and hook it into your Wi-Fi and you’ll be able to control that lamp, or anything else that runs on mains electricity. With models available from D-Link, Lenovo, Philips Hue and TP-Link, there’s sure to be one to suit both your smart ecosystem and budget.

need to connect them to your home network, with all the relevant apps offering step-by-step guidance designed to make the process as quick and easy as possible.

elements outdoors – hey, why limit the fun to indoors?! The heart of the Philips Hue ecosystem is the Hue Bridge

V2.0. Available on its own, or in a handy Starter Kit that also features three bulbs, it’s an inconspicuous white box that you connect to both a power outlet and your internet router. Once connected you can add up to 50 Philips Hue products

HUE, LIGHT UP MY LIFE! When it comes to a one-stop spot for smart lighting, Philips Hue certainly has a lot to offer. From a comprehensive range of

the HDMI standard for video and audio delivery, the Hue HDMI Sync Box acts as an intermediary between your output – be it

WAKEY WAKEY!

from a Blu-ray player, streaming box, games console or something else – and what’s input into

The apps for most smart lights allow you to set up various automation routines, or they can be done via the likes of Google Home or Alexa. Want to wake up with a gradual increase in lighting, rather than the jarring binary experience of standard lights? Have them fade in just like a sunrise. Such routines are also great for home cinema smart lighting setups – we love the slow fade of the lights as the opening titles start to roll.

your television. Up to four devices can be connected, ready to fill your room with light. It’s no random light, either. The Hue HDMI Sync Box processes the signal that it’s

receiving in real time, and matches it to the light that it outputs. You could install a Hue Gradient Light Strip – available in 55”, 65” and 75” sizes, with handy attachment channels included – on the back of your television and watch the vision expand in all directions, or it also works a treat with Hue Play Smart Light Bars. Install a pair of the latter, one left, one right, and it’s

akin to having stereo vision.

16 NOVEMBER 2020

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