T3 - UK (2020-08)

Let there be (smart) light: this is one of those smart

home upgrades where once you’ve made the jump,

going back feels like returning to the dark ages...

almost literally, in this case. Getting up to physically

push a switch feels almost antiquated.

With smart lights, you can turn lights on and off

with a tap or a voice command, of course, but you can

also get them to light up or go dark based on a schedule

for extra convenience. Brightness and colour can be

adjusted with a button press or with an automated

routine, and if you really want to invest in a smart light

future, you can even have your lighting change in time

to music or the movie you’re watching.

As one of the first parts of the smart home to appear,

the smart lighting market is now a very mature one,

with plenty of manufacturers offering dozens of

products. Bulbs of all shapes and sizes can be had, plus

more unusual products such as lighting strips, wall tiles,

outdoor lamps, and more besides.

You don’t necessarily need to buy all your smart lights

from the same source – some work through a direct

Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection without a hub, while a

growing number can be controlled via Google Assistant

or Alexa, giving you a way to operate all your lights as

one (turning off an entire floor at once, for example, with

a tap of a button).

Control your bulbs with your voice, introduce a million

different hues to your living room or fire up a light show

LIGHTS

PHILIPS HUE GO

The Hue Go lamp can work via Bluetooth or

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£69.99, philips-hue.com

LIFX A60+

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£64.99, lifx.com

HIVE LIGHT COOL TO WARM

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£29, hivehome.com

LEADING LIGHTS

28 T3$8*867

Unmissable smart home upgrades