From an efficiency/sustainability point of view, I have a basic discomfort with the idea of throwing away all the wifi/controller stuff each time you need a new bulb. I know LEDs don't run out very fast, but they do run out. This has cost implications too. What about a setup where there are two levels of screw: the LED bulb screws into a fixture with the wifi stuff inside, which then screws into the light fixture? Th…
This is possible, but the features would be limited to only on/off and basic dimming.
This is definitely feature overload for a typical person. I find it funny how on HN there arguments that non-replaceable batteries in MBPs are okay, and at the same time, that a small gadget must have user-replaceable radio.
Non-replaceable batteries are not okay. And while I've seen plenty of Mac fans here, I can't say I've seen anybody defend this particular anti-feature.
Personally, I prefer to have better industrial design + a more solid feeling device to a removable battery (though all things equal, a replaceable battery would be nice...it just is far down my list). And I've seen similar defenses quite a bit.
From an efficiency/sustainability point of view, I have a basic discomfort with the idea of throwing away all the wifi/controller stuff each time you need a new bulb. I know LEDs don't run out very fast, but they do run out. This has cost implications too. What about a setup where there are two levels of screw: the LED bulb screws into a fixture with the wifi stuff inside, which then screws into the light fixture? Th…
No, I agree. This idea is braindead because it's much more effective to focus on a device you plug in between the outlet in your wall and the devices you want to control power to. A standard already exists for half the project which is called x10.
I think this is targeted at ceiling lights ... and it isn't easy to futz with in-the-wall wiring for the typical user.
From an efficiency/sustainability point of view, I have a basic discomfort with the idea of throwing away all the wifi/controller stuff each time you need a new bulb. I know LEDs don't run out very fast, but they do run out. This has cost implications too. What about a setup where there are two levels of screw: the LED bulb screws into a fixture with the wifi stuff inside, which then screws into the light fixture? Th…
From an efficiency/sustainability point of view, I have a basic discomfort with the idea of throwing away all the wifi/controller stuff each time you need a new bulb. I know LEDs don't run out very fast, but they do run out. This has cost implications too. What about a setup where there are two levels of screw: the LED bulb screws into a fixture with the wifi stuff inside, which then screws into the light fixture? Th…
The hardware in question costs only pennies, probably less than the shell of the bulb itself.
This. Is. Featurebloat. Seriously, color changing? Dimming? Make a simple natural light bulb, a smartphone app and a wifi wall switch. Latter is far far more important than an ability to drown my kitchen in a shade of green. Keep it useful, damn it. Not a single home automation company gets this. Usability is a key to adoption.
For a good portion of the video, I was thinking the same exact thing. I can't see the average person either needing or even /wanting/ most of those features. From a work perspective, I want to turn my lights on. And I want to turn them off. That's it. I think the part of the video that really demonstrated where money will be made was when he spent 5 seconds saying "Lifx has commercial applications as well." Now there…
The popularity of dimmer switches suggests that your tastes are far from universal. Also, Ikea has a range of color-adjustable LED lights, and they seem to fly off the shelves.
Even more reason for the double screw idea. You can upgrade the WiFi radio when your network becomes incompatible in the future.
This is definitely feature overload for a typical person. I find it funny how on HN there arguments that non-replaceable batteries in MBPs are okay, and at the same time, that a small gadget must have user-replaceable radio.
I like it. Not that I want my entire house to be purple and green but they mentioned something about changing the light color when receiving a notification. I'm thinking it would be cool to have the light on my desk turn to red when Pingdom reports one of my websites offline. Or to have the lights flash red when my security cameras report motion.
Notifications were the only feature that made me think "wow, that's cool". Phone LED notifications are great, but sometimes my phone isn't visible.
Shame this uses WiFi rather than Power line networking; I'm sure it would be more efficient and future proof.
I was thinking the same. Could it be to do with the lighting circuit being separate to the wall-socket circuits?
That's a good point; I honestly don't know. I suspect that it would be fine as I suspect circuit breakers allow a reasonable frequency through and it's the main isolator that protects the outside world from your powerlines tech. I may be completely wrong.