5 ms·

I recently decided to install smart bulbs in a couple of lamps. I set them to "on" permanently so that I can exclusively use the app to turn them on/off and adj

by allenu 6y ago

I recently decided to install smart bulbs in a couple of lamps. I set them to "on" permanently so that I can exclusively use the app to turn them on/off and adjust their brightness and warmth. After having them installed for a few weeks, their benefit is mostly a wash. I'd rather just flip them on/off, but unfortunately one of the bulbs doesn't retain its "memory" of the last setting this way, so to use the features, I have to use the app and keep them on. Additionally, the app sometimes takes a second or to to connect to their service, so I'm standing in front of the lamp waiting several seconds just to be able to turn it on/off. This is definitely a case where a manual switch is so much better. It. Just. Works.

easton 6y ago
If you are on iOS and your bulbs work with Apple's Home app (which most seem to these days), you can set that up and just swipe up from the bottom of the screen and use the quick controls. Works quite well. I think a similar thing is possible on Android with the Google Home app, and more vendors seem to support that.
TeMPOraL 6y ago
> but unfortunately one of the bulbs doesn't retain its "memory" of the last setting this way Yeah, my last smart light setup a few years ago had this problem too. I ended up running a script on Raspberry Pi that detected when a light bulb appeared on the network again and reconfigured it immediately. But my ultimate conclusion from that setup was, smart lights make no sense without smart switches. You want to be able to both actuate physical controls and switch the lights through software.
Cu3PO42 6y ago
I recently bought a few smart bulbs for my desk, which are always connected to power. But I also bought a physical switch that controls them. It's instant and turns them all on or off simultaneously. To be honest I almost always use the switch, including changing the color. Cycling through colors with a button is still more convenient than opening an app and picking one. I really only use the app when I need to control individual lights.
Forge36 6y ago
Also going down the smart device route. Recently tied 2 switches and a remote fan into a single action. I've setup a time filter too and now my lights can be shut off and fan turned on when I go charge my phone before going to bed. I'd always wanted a "light alarm" to wake me up, now in the morning I set my lights to turn on if I'm not out of bed (phone still charging). Are there better places you could use the lights? Where the flexibility is more useful?
dpatterbee 6y ago
I think standing in front of the light is somewhat missing the purpose of it being connected to the network.
- Grustaf 6y ago
  What is the point then? I'v never understood it, except as a novelty (my kids think it's cool).
  - acuozzo 6y ago
    I am not a user, but I believe the idea is to have the light settings be part of a larger macro. For instance, you're upstairs and you wish to watch a movie in your home theater in the basement. You hit the button on your phone and while you travel to the basement the lights lining the hallways and staircases come on (if off); the projector turns on and switches to the movie input; the receiver turns on and switches to the movie input; the theater recliner adjusts to your preferred position; the bias lighting turns on; and two minutes later the lights lining the hallways and staircases revert to their previous state.
    - Grustaf 6y ago
      Ok but this is still mostly for novelty though, right? It’s not really about saving 2-3 seconds of work I presume (probably takes an hour to program it just right), it’s more that it feels cool and futuristic I imagine. Especially since this kind of thing has only been possible in really high end homes until now, so it feels exclusive. At least that’s my read.
- allenu 6y ago
  I agree. I can’t even turn them on and off away from my home for some reason. That was the main reason I bought them. The other reason was for the color temperature and dim control.
aksss 6y ago
For this, I can’t recommend and isy994 controller and Insteon light switches and outlets enough. You get physical control, automation via scripting and events, app control, and I’ve never had a (noticed) problem with the devices remembering state.
bspammer 6y ago
Voice controls via Alexa or any other home assistant actually work pretty well for smart lights. No fumbling with a device, just tell the lamp you want it off. You can also group them together usually to turn off multiple with a single command.

by allenu 6y ago

easton 6y ago

If you are on iOS and your bulbs work with Apple's Home app (which most seem to these days), you can set that up and just swipe up from the bottom of the screen and use the quick controls. Works quite well. I think a similar thing is possible on Android with the Google Home app, and more vendors seem to support that.

TeMPOraL 6y ago

> but unfortunately one of the bulbs doesn't retain its "memory" of the last setting this way Yeah, my last smart light setup a few years ago had this problem too. I ended up running a script on Raspberry Pi that detected when a light bulb appeared on the network again and reconfigured it immediately. But my ultimate conclusion from that setup was, smart lights make no sense without smart switches. You want to be able to both actuate physical controls and switch the lights through software.

Cu3PO42 6y ago

I recently bought a few smart bulbs for my desk, which are always connected to power. But I also bought a physical switch that controls them. It's instant and turns them all on or off simultaneously. To be honest I almost always use the switch, including changing the color. Cycling through colors with a button is still more convenient than opening an app and picking one. I really only use the app when I need to control individual lights.

Forge36 6y ago

Also going down the smart device route. Recently tied 2 switches and a remote fan into a single action. I've setup a time filter too and now my lights can be shut off and fan turned on when I go charge my phone before going to bed. I'd always wanted a "light alarm" to wake me up, now in the morning I set my lights to turn on if I'm not out of bed (phone still charging). Are there better places you could use the lights? Where the flexibility is more useful?

dpatterbee 6y ago

I think standing in front of the light is somewhat missing the purpose of it being connected to the network.

Grustaf 6y ago
What is the point then? I'v never understood it, except as a novelty (my kids think it's cool).
- acuozzo 6y ago
  I am not a user, but I believe the idea is to have the light settings be part of a larger macro. For instance, you're upstairs and you wish to watch a movie in your home theater in the basement. You hit the button on your phone and while you travel to the basement the lights lining the hallways and staircases come on (if off); the projector turns on and switches to the movie input; the receiver turns on and switches to the movie input; the theater recliner adjusts to your preferred position; the bias lighting turns on; and two minutes later the lights lining the hallways and staircases revert to their previous state.
  - Grustaf 6y ago
    Ok but this is still mostly for novelty though, right? It’s not really about saving 2-3 seconds of work I presume (probably takes an hour to program it just right), it’s more that it feels cool and futuristic I imagine. Especially since this kind of thing has only been possible in really high end homes until now, so it feels exclusive. At least that’s my read.
allenu 6y ago
I agree. I can’t even turn them on and off away from my home for some reason. That was the main reason I bought them. The other reason was for the color temperature and dim control.

aksss 6y ago

For this, I can’t recommend and isy994 controller and Insteon light switches and outlets enough. You get physical control, automation via scripting and events, app control, and I’ve never had a (noticed) problem with the devices remembering state.

bspammer 6y ago

Voice controls via Alexa or any other home assistant actually work pretty well for smart lights. No fumbling with a device, just tell the lamp you want it off. You can also group them together usually to turn off multiple with a single command.