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LIFX’s HomeKit-enabled bulbs are a fun way to get into smart home tech

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LIFX’s HomeKit-enabled bulbs are a fun way to get into smart home tech

LIFX’s A19 smart bulb is a HomeKit-enabled bulb that lets you automate your lighting to fit your lifestyle —especially if a part of your lifestyle is chilling while bathed in neon purple light, listening to that one song from “Drive” on repeat.

The LIFX bulb is actually my first foray into home automation. I have very little experience with smart home products, but after using the LIFX A19 I can definitely confirm that if you’re looking to begin using HomeKit but aren’t sure where to start, smart bulbs are one of the least expensive and most magical items you can get. Seeing a light cycle through a rainbow of color with a touch of your finger is the definition of instant gratification — it’s insanely easy, and insanely happy-making.

This bulb is part of LIFX’s pretty vast collection of smart lighting tech. If you’re the kind of person who’s really into flexible lighting solutions that can be both practical and playful, LIFX’s lights are probably for you. These lights ar…

LIFX's A19 smart bulb is a HomeKit-enabled bulb that allows you to automate your lights to suit your way of life —particularly if a a part of your way of life is chilling whilst bathed in neon pink gentle, listening to that one song from "Drive" on repeat.

The LIFX bulb is in fact my first foray into home automation. I've little or no revel in with smart home merchandise, however after the usage of the LIFX A19 I will be able to indubitably ascertain that if you are taking a look to start the usage of HomeKit however don't seem to be certain the place to get started, smart bulbs are one of the crucial least pricey and maximum magical pieces you'll be able to get. Seeing a gentle cycle thru a rainbow of colour with a contact of your finger is the definition of quick gratification — it is insanely simple, and insanely happy-making.

This bulb is a part of LIFX's lovely huge number of smart lights tech. In case you are the type of one that's in point of fact into versatile lights answers that may be each sensible and playful, LIFX's lighting are almost certainly for you. Those lighting are dimmable, vibrantly colourful, and be offering a loopy large choice of probabilities.

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Unboxing and design

In case you are like me, packaging performs a larger-than-it-should function in what merchandise you select. LIFX turns out interested by aesthetics, so the LIFX A19 bulb is available in a in point of fact cool cylindrical field that has a comfortable matte end and nice graphics at the out of doors. The design of the bulb itself may be very minimalist and graceful — it has a pearl white end and is rather geometric, which units it excluding different smart bulbs just like the Phillips Hue. It is usually a lot bigger on the bulb finish than a standard lightbulb.

Every other factor I realized upon opening the field was once that there have been no additional portions. LIFX bulbs include Wi-Fi constructed at once into them, so so long as you've got Wi-Fi the corporate guarantees that set up is as simple as screwing the bulb into your gentle fixture of selection and downloading the app. That is some other characteristic that, relying in your wishes, places it moderately above different smart bulbs: it does not want a hub that you simply plug into your router (taking a look at you once more, Phillips Hue) or any additional cords to mess with. I used to be extraordinarily thankful for this, as a result of as a newbie, fidgeting with a plethora of additional portions and items will also be a bit intimidating and hard.

Specifications

For the detail-oriented amongst you, right here are the specifications for the LIFX A19:

Class Options
Weight 7.8 oz.
Dimensions 2.5x2.5x4.5
Bulb Kind LED
Brightness 1100 lumens
Colour Temperature 2500Ok to 9000Ok
Colour Vary 16 million colours
Lifespan Approx. 22.8 years
Wattage Use 13 watts at complete brightness
Power Score A+
Voltage Vary Common compatibility, AC 100-240V 50/60 Hz

Set up and compatibility

My best factor with this product is that I did have a bit extra issue putting in it than the packaging prompt. After I first tried to set it up, I attempted it in my IKEA steel paintings lamp. I discovered that it became on simply fantastic once I used my lamp's transfer, but if I tried to attach it to my phone by means of the LIFX app, I ran into hassle. After more than one makes an attempt and not using a good fortune, I determined to check out it in my run-of-the-mill desk lamp. Once more, no good fortune. I ultimately sought assist from a LIFX support page relating to set up. Thru that I realized that surrounding your LIFX lamp with steel is a no-no, as is having it inside of 25 ft of a microwave oven. For the reason that I are living in a tiny studio rental with best 3 lamps, carrying out that was once a little bit of a ache. On the other hand, I did check out it in my best last lamp — a status lamp with a glass color — and was once in spite of everything victorious.

The LIFX app in point of fact does make setup extremely simple. As soon as you will have gotten your LIFX bulb into your lamp and switched it on, the app guides you throughout the procedure step by step. In case you are used to the usage of a smartphone, you can indubitably be in a position to arrange your new lights and not using a downside. LIFX bulbs are appropriate with each iOS and Android telephones, and also will hook up with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Nest merchandise, IFTTT apps, Logitech's Pop and Unity, and Samsung's SmartThings hub.

The LIFX app additionally guides you thru putting in place your gentle in HomeKit:

  1. Open up HomeKit settings inside the LIFX app by means of touching the little tools icon within the most sensible left nook.
  2. As soon as there, you can see a three-step "Welcome to HomeKit" procedure. Step one — Firmware — will most probably have already got a inexperienced checkmark over it as a result of so far as I may inform, that was once up to date robotically once I first of all arrange the bulb within the LIFX app.
  3. Faucet "Get Code."
  4. A display screen will open that claims "Get HomeKit Code." Faucet "Get started."
  5. The LIFX app will then get ready your gentle for HomeKit connection. Your gentle must flash a few other colours whilst this is going on.

  6. Subsequent you can see a display screen that claims "Attach to Wi-Fi" because the LIFX app connects the sunshine to your community.
  7. This will likely open an Accent Setup display screen inside of your iPhone's settings. Ensure that the right kind Wi-Fi community is chosen, then faucet "Subsequent." (And do not make fun of my Wi-Fi community identify.)
  8. After a Wi-Fi connection is secured, you are going to be taken robotically into the LIFX app as soon as once more. You'll be able to see a code displayed, and it's going to be the similar code that is imprinted on the again of the mini instruction handbook incorporated within the LIFX bulb's field. You should not have to do anything else with this code at this time except you need to write it down, however you are going to want to clutch your mini instruction handbook for the next move. Faucet "Performed."

  9. You'll be able to now see that there is a inexperienced checkmark above "HomeKit Code." Now faucet the overall step, "Pair."
  10. In this subsequent display screen, make a choice the home you would like to pair the bulb to. Until you've got more than one houses, which I don't, yours must be the one one at the display screen. Faucet it.
  11. The app will take a second to get ready for the pairing procedure.

  12. Now a scanning display screen will pop up and urged you to scan your code. Take your mini instruction handbook, turn it over to the again facet so the code is visual, and dangle it up to your phone's digital camera. The LIFX app will acknowledge and scan the code. Be sure you keep close to to your gentle all through this procedure.
  13. That is it! A display screen will pop up along with your gentle's data. All you've got to do is faucet "Performed" within the higher left nook to save your settings and entire the method.

The usage of the Home app for controlling the sunshine is smart when you've got different smart home merchandise already and need to upload it to a team motion (as an example, having it activate at the side of your door unlocking whilst you arrive home). On the other hand, you do not get any of the in point of fact cool choices inside the Home app — all you'll be able to do with the sunshine in my opinion is trade the colour and modify the brightness. If you need to get the whole use from your new bulb and get admission to any of the fun results/have extra regulate over your colour alternatives, you've got to do this inside the LIFX app.

Use

Now comes the actual fun: taking part in along with your gentle. The LIFX app's interface is in point of fact simple to use, and since I should not have every other smart home gadgets, that is my most well-liked way of controlling the bulb. While you open the app, there may be a home web page that lists your entire LIFX lighting. While you faucet one, it takes you all of the just right stuff: a colour selector dial (with, and I will be able to't emphasize this sufficient, 16 million colours), a whites selector dial, a "Topics" web page (the place you'll be able to choose colour cycles in accordance with subject matters similar to "Soothing" and "Intense"), and an Results web page (which has cool lights results like "Spooky," "Strobe," and a Track Visualizer that syncs your gentle to tune). Then you'll be able to cross in and customise no matter impact you choose by means of the usage of sliders. You'll additionally modify the brightness of the sunshine by means of swiping up or down within the middle of both of the selector dials.

My favourite characteristic is the Track Visualizer. Bear in mind the "Pressure" factor I discussed previous? I am not pronouncing I did that, however … I did that. My 2d (and indubitably more effective) favourite characteristic is being in a position to make a choice the heat of the traditional white lighting the usage of the selector wheel. As a result of I combat with sensory processing, sure sun shades of white gentle make me bodily in poor health. With standard lightbulbs, it is in point of fact arduous to get the precise color of white that does not harm my eyes, however with the LIFX bulb, I were given a ton of choices to make a choice from.

Every other incredible factor about LIFX bulbs is the depth of the colours. It is a bit tricky to seize adequately on digital camera, however each and every unmarried colour is punchy and incredible when set on the best possible saturation. That is the place having a small dwelling area was once a boon for me, as a result of when the sunshine was once pink, my whole rental was once totally bathed in pink gentle. The blues and vegetables had been simply as colourful as the nice and cozy colours, too, which cannot be stated for lots of different smart bulbs.

Must you purchase it? Sure, if you are in a position

I used to be in fact a bit skeptical about this to start with. Now not best am I green re: smart home tech, however I felt lovely well-covered within the fun and foolish lighting division: I stay each a lava lamp and a color-changing LED nightlight on my bedside desk. That being stated, I will be able to't absolutely specific how a lot childlike surprise and pleasure I skilled whilst checking out this bulb. And although magic and whimsy don't seem to be your jam, the LIFX A19 is a nice acquire to make if you have got an expendable $60 burning a hollow for your pocket and a smart phone. It serves as an on a regular basis lamp, a multi-holiday ornament, a self-soother, and whole birthday party lights. It additionally makes your home extra at ease and available for individuals who are stricken by means of sure forms of gentle, which is a courtesy that is tricky to come by means of.

Additionally, although, I feel it will be important for me to say that I notice I am talking from a position of privilege, and there are many stuff it is advisable put $60 towards that you would be prioritizing. On the other hand, if you'll be able to swing it, the LIFX A19 undoubtedly has price in that it brings a nice deal of pleasure to a area, which is fine too. It is just right to do issues that make you comfortable up to you'll be able to on this another way volatile international, and LIFX's merchandise fall soundly into that class of in point of fact cool stuff that you do not essentially want however is tremendous satisfying to have. Moreover, if you are in search of a first step towards having a full-fledged smart home with HomeKit, LIFX HomeKit-enabled choices are a nice get started, and almost certainly the most productive bang to your dollar as when compared to different smart bulbs.

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