The Friends of Hue switches are light buttons that you can operate with the Philips Hue system. They are made by third parties such as Senic and Gira. The functionality has been limited so far, but that will change now that an update for the Philips Hue app is ready. There are a few nice features that you can activate at the touch of a button. The Hue app will show a notification that you can now access time-based light, scene cycle mode, the ‘Natural Light’ scene, improved dimming behavior and more.
These are the new features:
- Activate natural light with the Friends of Hue switch
- Activate scenes with up to 10 time slots
- Scene cycle with up to 10 scenes
- Turn lights on and off with one button
- Improved dimming functionality
The update to the Philips Hue app also made the older Hue Tap smart. It contains virtually the same module that is also used in the Friends of Hue switches, but with a slightly different firmware. It is therefore no surprise that it is now the turn of third-party switches. A few days ago, a software update for the Hue Bridge was also released, number 1963171020. Do you not see the new functions for your buttons? Then it may help to install this update.
If you want to make your light switches smarter, you have a number of options. You could install a relay behind the light switch (such as the Philips Hue wall switch module itself). But if your current switches have become very discolored or ugly, you could also replace the light switches themselves. The Friends of Hue wall switches are a good solution.
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