Josh Hendrickson
CES 2020 is well underway, and that means announcements for new products, features, and looks for your smart home. LIFX, the company behind some of the best looking Wi-Fi smart bulbs, has just the thing to liven up your smart home: Edison style bulbs and a four-gang switch.
All Things Old Are New Again
If you’re not familiar with Edison style bulbs, they are so-named because they resemble the sort of light bulbs Thomas Edison invented. LIFX calls its version of the concept the Filament Range. Though they aren’t traditional incandescent bulbs, the LED arrangement resembles filament, and then the colored glass or plastic completes the look.
LIFX’s take is particularly stunning, thanks in part to its unique filament arrangement. The company will offer the bulb in clear, amber, or smokey glass in a warm white glow. You’ll want to put these bulbs in lamps or pendant fixtures to show off their dazzling looks.
Like LIFX’s other smart bulbs, you’ll connect the Filament Range over Wi-Fi with the company’s app (for iOS and Android). LIFX says the bulbs will first arrive in a teardrop shape, with a globe version to follow. The Teardrop bulb will be available in the spring for $30.
A Four-Gang Switch for All Your Lights
In the world of smart bulbs for smart switches, we think smart switches are better. While smart bulbs can give you an interesting look (like the Filament Range above), it’s annoying when someone flips the switch. At that point, it’s no better than a dumb bulb.
LIFX’s new Four-Gang switch is the best of both worlds. You install it in place of your traditional light switch, and it can control the light fixtures connected to it. But, it has space for four buttons. If you’re replacing one or two switches, then you can use the spares to control unconnected lights, like a lamp with a smart bulb.
You can also control the switch with voice commands or scheduling operations—which is great if you have a terrible habit of leaving the lights on overnight. LIFX says the switch will be available in the summer for $120, and it will offer discounted pre-orders at $100.
