Philips Hue is already in the smart home game but had yet to break into the smart home security sub-market—until now. Philips Hue is making a bid on the smart home security market with plans to introduce new security cameras and sensors soon, and those devices can already be seen on the Philips Hue website.
A Blend of Smart Lighting and Smart Security
August 1st saw an investor call with Philips Hue parent firm Signify (who also owns Wiz) where its CEO Eric Rondolat reportedly stated one new end-to-end encrypted Philips Hue camera is on the way. That is a significant development for smart home security, as end-to-end smart home encryption in smart security cameras isn’t common.
Rondolat revealed something to look forward to with that camera, a synthesis between security cameras and lighting beyond the usual floodlight. “The idea here is also to use security for lighting and lighting to security,” said Rondolat, giving a practical example: when the alarm in a house is triggered by a burglar, all the lights flash red. “Why is that interesting? Because sound alarms cannot be heard from a distance as they are really kept inside the house. But, the light can be seen from a long distance.”
The Cameras
There are four cameras total: Secure Wired Camera, Secure Battery Camera, Secure Wired Camera with Desktop Stand, and Secure Floodlight Camera. The first three will be coming soon, autumn 2023, and the Secure Floodlight Camera is slated to appear in the first quarter of 2024.
All four smart security cameras are HD live stream cameras with end-to-end encryption that plug into an outlet or are battery powered and come with a wall mount. These smart cameras can be used indoors or outdoors.
From the Hue app, you can trigger the alarm, arm and disarm, get activity overview, and receive push notifications. They integrate into your existing Hue ecosystem, so when your camera detects motion, your Hue lights can turn on.
The cameras do require a Hue Bridge, which is $59.99. The cameras have a 2-year warranty.
Secure Wired Camera
Price: $199.99
Colors: Black, White
Get Notified When Available
Secure Wired Camera with Desktop Stand
Price: $229.99
Colors: Black, White
Get Notified When Available
Window and Door Sensor
Philips Hue is also releasing their Secure Contact Sensor this autumn, which comes in both black and white. The motion sensor can be used for windows, doors, cabinets, pantries, safes, and other such use cases. It also integrates with your Hues ecosystems, so the lights can be programmed to turn on when motion is sensed.
The sensor has an easy setup, but does require that Philips Hues bridge. It also has a 2-year warranty.
Secure Contact Sensor
Price: $39.99 (1-Pack), $69.99 (2-Pack)
Colors: Black, White
Get Notified When Available
Your Smart Home—More Secure
Philips Hue has long been a respected manufacturer of tech, even before they stepped into the smart home arena. Their movement toward smart home security has come at a great time, when more people are seeking to secure their homes in a way that puts safety in their own hands. To be able to trigger the alarm via the app if you see an intruder is one thing, but to have the lights programmed to scare off an intruder is next level.
Though the full force of that synthesis of light and home security is bound to be shown with their Secure Floodlight Camera, the others have plenty of features and benefits to look forward to this autumn while we wait for the floodlight’s arrival. If you’re looking to amp up your smart home security, and already have Hue smart products—or want to outfit your home with them—Philips Hue’s new smart home security devices may be right up your alley.
