Starting this week, consumers will be able to get a new Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 that connects with Apple’s HomeKit protocols as well as being a little more square. The old box cannot support HomeKit due to hardware limitations.
This update means you’ll be able to download the Philips Hue app and set the scenes or group lights together and then control them using Siri alone. “Hey Siri, turn off the living room lights” or “Hey Siri, maximum relaxation mode” will turn everything on and off accordingly.
Unfortunately, you can’t yet set up integration with other HomeKit-enabled devices; Hue only supports the Siri control part of HomeKit. However, this Bridge supports adding such features via a software update.
The new Bridge costs $60 and will be available starting tomorrow, October 6. Existing Hue owners will be able to get a $20 discount that brings the Bridge to just $40.
In addition to the new HomeKit link, Philips has updated its Hue bulbs itself. They offer the same features as before, except that the colored bulbs have been increased from 600 lumens to 800 lumens and the white bulbs from 750 lumens to 800 lumens.
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