Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#1

Post by linker3000 » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 7:38 AM UTC

Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account
defcon.social

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#2

Post by FirmwareBurner » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:42 AM UTC

Not surprising. Philips consumer electronics, or whatever is left of it anyway, is now just a licensing/branding company who earns money for putting their name brand on various Chinese OEM brands, much like consumer electronics from Nokia, Blackberry, Motorola, Braun, Blaupunkt, Grundig, AEG, Tefal, Toshiba, Hitachi, Sharp, NEC, Sanyo, etc.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#3

Post by andersrs » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:44 AM UTC

#internetofshit

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#4

Post by helsinkiandrew » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:45 AM UTC

I'm slowly moving control to a Hubitat (https://hubitat.com/). But still use the Hue hub for the noisy (frequent messages) Hue bulbs. Anyone have any alternatives?

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#5

Post by noobermin » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:46 AM UTC

When colleagues, friends, and students say they are getting into IoT it's becoming hard for me to feign interest or excitement when this is what that industry is moving towards.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#6

Post by skunkworker » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:47 AM UTC

This is a disappointing if not unexpected update. I currently have a hue bridge for some hue ambiance bulbs but also have control through HA. There have been some needed bulb updates (improving the stability of last color temp and state on power on) but I will soon fully transition over to HA with a zigbee adapter because of stuff like this.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#7

Post by noncoml » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:48 AM UTC

HP was forcing me to have an account to scan on my printer using their mobile app.

I voted with my money and when I needed a printer for my dad I got a Brother.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#8

Post by helsinkiandrew » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:48 AM UTC

FirmwareBurner wrote: post #2

Not surprising. Philips consumer electronics, or whatever is left of it anyway, is now just a licensing/branding company who earns money for putting their name brand on various Chinese OEM brands, much like consumer electronics from Nokia, Blackberry, Motorola, Braun, Blaupunkt, Grundig, AEG, Tefal, Toshiba, Hitachi, Sharp, NEC, Sanyo, etc.

My experience with Hue bulbs and lights is that although they are more expensive, they are of MUCH higher quality - better light intensity and temperature control, longer lasting.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#9

Post by krisoft » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:48 AM UTC

I have noticed the announcement of the change too. This materially changes the product for me. I was a happy user so far, and was thinking about buying more bulbs in fact, but not anymore.

Is there a way to force the company to return the money I have paid for my bulbs and hub so far? Even if it is arduous and cost me more money than I'm able to gain back I would be inclined to do it to signal my displeasure with this change.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#10

Post by zeisch » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 8:48 AM UTC

Time and time again It takes just one MBA trying to boost numbers to turn a good product into a data collection nightmare.

Honestly is there any IoT brand that we can trust long-term? Maybe IKEA stuff?