'WIFI' controlled LED bulbs

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › 'WIFI' controlled LED bulbs - Limitless LED

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#113569 20-Jan-2013 21:29

Stumbled across these guys the other day:

http://www.limitlessled.com/

The seem to be selling 'WIFI' controlled LED bulbs for what appears to be a pretty sharp price and they seem to be either NZ or Aussie based (or possibly both?).

It seems the bulbs are actually controlled using non-WIFI link (Zigbee or something proprietary?) and then bridging to IP using an external box. So calling them 'wifi enabled' is a bit of a stretch.

Also they don't seem to have established a good track record so far - nothing on the Interwebs yet from actual users of their products, and these threads seem to ring some alarm bells:

http://build.smartthings.com/forums/topic/limitlessled-cbus-ncd-limitless-smart-meter-smartthings/page/3/
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2025433

Here's hoping they are legit, as at the prices they are quoting (and the very low NZ shipping costs) this could be the year that wireless LED bulbs hit the mainstream downunder...

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190 posts

Master Geek

#747955 20-Jan-2013 21:33

Also these little widgets look fascinating - they call them 'iPhone and Android smart meters':

http://www.limitlessled.com/home/2012/09/30/16-80usd-limitless-din-rail-android-and-iphone-smart-meters/

Again, a bit of a stretch as digging into the subject seems to indicate that they are actually all wired together and then bridged to IP using an external box as per the bulbs. Also according to the Smartthings thread they are currently only available in quantities of 2k and above for trade orders.

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#747957 20-Jan-2013 21:36

It looks suspiciously like these:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented

Perhaps it's a re-branded version, or a cheap knock-off?

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#747958 20-Jan-2013 21:41

Yeah, someone in the Whirlpool thread noted that too - the images used in their promo stuff are suspiciously similar to the LIFX ones.

The technical detail is different though - by the looks of things the LIFX system uses a mesh network with one bulb as the master WIFI bridge. Also the LIFX bulbs seem to be multi-colour only, whereas these guys seem to have multi-colour and white only variants. Probably explains why these guys are much cheaper...

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#747964 20-Jan-2013 21:45

As far as I can tell, all of the images on their site are product renderings, no actual shots of the physical product.

This doesn't sit well with me.

Niel

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#747970 20-Jan-2013 21:52

WiFi does not make sense, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) on the other hand would make perfect sense. I did see such a product in a recent engineering magazine, but did not take much notice of it as these proprietary systems are not worth getting locked into.

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sonyxperiageek

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#747971 20-Jan-2013 21:53

They look like the Philips Hue lighting system.. - http://goo.gl/cbBXn

Sony

dontpanic42

1574 posts

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#747975 20-Jan-2013 22:02

sonyxperiageek: They look like the Philips Hue lighting system.. - http://goo.gl/cbBXn

Yikes!! That's one slow website.

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sonyxperiageek

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#747982 20-Jan-2013 22:10

dontpanic42:
sonyxperiageek: They look like the Philips Hue lighting system.. - http://goo.gl/cbBXn

Yikes!! That's one slow website.

LOL.. you're right!

Sony

Antzzz

190 posts

Master Geek

#747984 20-Jan-2013 22:12

Yep, the Hue system seems to be the first 'mainstream' example of app controlled lighting. No indication of if they will ever arrive in NZ.

Niel - IMHO WIFI makes sense as the bridge between the bulbs and an IP network so that the bulbs can be controlled remotely (eg off-site if needed). And Zigbee as an intra-bulb mesh network is the right solution for this kind of thing - better than Bluetooth which is a point-to-point thing that doesn't make sense with multiple bulbs.

Niel

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#748034 21-Jan-2013 06:02

Antzzz: Niel - IMHO WIFI makes sense as the bridge between the bulbs and an IP network so that the bulbs can be controlled remotely (eg off-site if needed). And Zigbee as an intra-bulb mesh network is the right solution for this kind of thing - better than Bluetooth which is a point-to-point thing that doesn't make sense with multiple bulbs.

In principal I agree. But I would still go BT or BLE for the bridge and the few that wants to do remote access can buy a WiFi accessory. WiFi does not make sense for infrequent use.

The issue with ZigBee is that there is no protocol standard or control, so there is no/little interoperability. It is not good for the customer, just like if you want to use a specific wireless mouse from one brand and a keyboard from another you have to have 2 dongles (unless it is BT). ZigBee is a radio platform more than an end solution platform.

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freitasm

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#748049 21-Jan-2013 08:03

dontpanic42: It looks suspiciously like these:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented

Perhaps it's a re-branded version, or a cheap knock-off?

Or perhaps the Kickstarter project guys found a good source of Chinese products and decided to "launch"?

SumnerBoy

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#748055 21-Jan-2013 08:34

I just ordered the WIFI starter kit - 2 bulbs, the WIFI bridge and a remote. Total cost (incl. delivery) was just under $NZD90. Figured it was worth a shot just for a play. I already have LEDs throughout my home and each of those were $40 a bulb, so this isn't very different.

Unfortunately all my LEDs are GU10 fittings, so I can only use these changeable ones in my table lamps etc.

gzt

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#748080 21-Jan-2013 09:35

It sounds like a fun product at a reasonable price if it exists yet .. ; ).

Phillips are selling the 240V Hue system in the Apple UK store. Approx NZ$340 for 3 bulbs and a bridge. The Hue zigbee bridge is open minded and accepts http requests. An SDK is promised. This article has a nice review of the product and looks at the customisation available so far.

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