Philips Hue adds in-wall modules for standard light switches in Europe
Signify’s new Hue modules let existing wired lights join the Hue app, while new Hue lamps and E14 bulbs are available globally.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Philips Hue is adding wired in-wall switch modules that can bring ordinary wired lights into the Hue system, according to Signify and The Verge. The move matters for Hue users because it extends app control beyond Hue bulbs to fixtures already connected to existing wall switches.
The new Wired Wall Switch Modules install behind current wall switches and act as in-wall relays, The Verge reported. Once fitted, they can control non-smart lights tied to that switch, including recessed ceiling lights and pendant lights, and show up in the Hue app alongside Hue smart bulbs.
The launch is limited by region. The Verge reported that the modules are available only in Europe, while the other newly announced Hue products are available globally.
Signify CTO George Yianni told The Verge that the company does not currently plan to bring the wired modules to the United States. He said Signify could reconsider if there is enough demand, adding that do-it-yourself modules are less established in the U.S. than fully integrated smart switches.
Yianni described the modules to The Verge as a product Signify had discussed for a long time. The company is offering three versions of the Hue Wired Wall Switch Modules, with pricing starting at €44.99, according to The Verge.
The product puts Hue into a category already served by other smart-home brands. The Verge noted that companies including Aqara and Shelly sell in-wall relays for controlling existing lights without replacing the wall switch, but said Hue’s modules are the first of that type to work with the Hue app.
Signify also announced new Hue Play table and floor lamps. The Verge described them as lower-cost alternatives to Hue’s Signe series, expanding Hue’s lineup of decorative lighting products.
The company also updated its E14 candle bulbs, according to Signify and The Verge. The new versions add a wider range of white light and support Matter over Thread, giving the small-format bulbs compatibility with the smart-home standard through Thread networking.
The announcements broaden Hue’s reach in two directions: more fixtures can be tied into the Hue app through the wired modules in Europe, and Hue’s lamp and bulb lineup is getting new options for global buyers. Signify has not announced a U.S. release plan for the wall modules.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.