Programmable WiFi/ZigBee LED light bulb

[dhouston]

There are at least two more players introducing wireless LED lighting systems. Looks like a trend.

• http://www.technologyreview.com/view/506556/apple-sells-philips-color-shifting-wireless-lights/
• http://prod.www.technologyreview.com/view/429721/wi-fi-led-light-bulbs-gateway-to-the-smart-home/

Dan Lawrence will not like some of the things in the second article. 

[Johanvdk]

we've got Hue!!!


www.meethue.com/

[Dan Lawrence]

I don't have or want a smart phone.

[HA Dave]

Wifi is where it's at!  ... or where it is expected to be at... at some near-future time. I recently setup a new HD Home Theater (for someone else). I placed the Blueray, Audio (receiver-amp), and cable box in an equipment room with a Logitech Harmony Link. Then I setup two iphones, one ipad, and an itouch to control the theater... using the home wifi network, thier own apple devices, and the Logitech Harmony Link.

I use a android tablet at my house (like the ones sold by X10 at one time) and have set it up to view my security cameras. I know my wifes ipad is much more useable for much of what I'd like to do. But I haven't decided to take that step... yet.

As the apps and wifi devices expand (if that indeed does happen)... it could be awesome. Our smartphones could replace all our remote controls... even replace the need for IR remotes. With wifi locks the smartphone can replace our keys. The phones can replace coupons as stores can scan downloaded or emailed bar or QR codes right on the phone. These things can even generate creditcard or bank account information and replace wallets.

But.... I am still a little ticked that there isn't going to be any flying cars. I really thought the future would have flying cars.

[IPS]

HA Dave
"But.... I am still a little ticked that there isn't going to be any flying cars. I really thought the future would have flying cars".

In time my dear fellow your wish will come true. Just wait a bit longer.

IPS

[Dan Lawrence]

Considering the nuts on the roads now, Flying cars would be total craziness.

[beelocks]

But.... I am still a little ticked that there isn't going to be any flying cars. I really thought the future would have flying cars.

Sorry to make you wrong Dave...

www.terrafugia.com
http://vimeo.com/15477279

[HA Dave]

Sorry to make you wrong Dave...

www.terrafugia.com
http://vimeo.com/15477279

Ah yes.... sorta like The Bob Cummings Show. His little car towed the wings in a trailer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bob_Cummings_Show

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A2KJkPdqV8FQoX4AGQeJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DThe%2BBob%2BCummings%2BShow%2Bcar%2Bairplane%26fr%3Dyfp-t-701%26fr2%3Dpiv-web%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D4&w=650&h=487&imgurl=www.wired.com%2Fimages_blogs%2Fautopia%2Fimages%2F2008%2F12%2F07%2Fp_034.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wired.com%2Fautopia%2F2008%2F12%2Ftaylor-aerocar%2F&size=311.8+KB&name=Clears+Flying+%3Cb%3ECar+%3C%2Fb%3EProject+for+Takeoff+It%E2%80%99s+a+%3Cb%3ECar%3C%2Fb%3E.+It%E2%80%99s+a+Plane+...&p=The+Bob+Cummings+Show+car+airplane&oid=a81c070dc228e1acf130bc90c7d1b668&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t-701&tt=Clears%2BFlying%2B%253Cb%253ECar%2B%253C%252Fb%253EProject%2Bfor%2BTakeoff%2BIt%25E2%2580%2599s%2Ba%2B%253Cb%253ECar%253C%252Fb%253E.%2BIt%25E2%2580%2599s%2Ba%2BPlane%2B...&b=0&ni=84&no=4&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11keksqj9&sigb=13rcjg67k&sigi=11u159rth&.crumb=6uInT4iKFHk

[dhouston]

It predated his show.

• http://www.smithsonianmag.com/video/The-Incredible-Flying-Car-of-the-1950s.html

But that should be categorized as WhyFly not WiFi. 

And, while not WiFi, Insteon has a dimmable LED light bulb with all the electronics (PLC & RF) in the base. However, I'd be a bit leery of spending $30 on a bulb given their track record on quality.

• http://www.smarthome.com/2672-222/INSTEON-LED-Bulb/p.aspx

[HA Dave]

And, while not WiFi, Insteon has a dimmable LED light bulb with all the electronics (PLC & RF) in the base. However, I'd be a bit leery of spending $30 on a bulb given their track record on quality.
http://www.smarthome.com/2672-222/INSTEON-LED-Bulb/p.aspx

The previous bulb required a "device" for the wifi part as well. This INSTEON bulb... if I understand it correctly... requires the INSTEON hub... For tablet/phone/wifi control.

[dhouston]

The previous bulb required a "device" for the wifi part as well. This INSTEON bulb... if I understand it correctly... requires the INSTEON hub... For tablet/phone/wifi control.

The first WiFi device (lifx) in this thread only needed WiFi for the initial setup and used Bluetooth after that for operation.

I haven't dug deeply into the details on the Insteon bulb but think you would need the hub only for remote connections. Local control can be done with their handheld remote or with their PC interfaces (functionally equivalent to CM11/CM15). There's a link to the user manual on the page I referenced. Brian is much more current than am I on Insteon although I'll need to soon dig into it again as the hardware I've been working on should be released in early 2013.

• http://davehouston.org/roZetta-Zarduino.htm

On other WiFi operated devices it may be possible to control them from any handheld tablet, phone etc. using peer-to-peer and eliminating the need for a hub or router.

[HA Dave]

........... Brian is much more current than am I on Insteon although I'll need to soon dig into it again as the hardware I've been working on should be released in early 2013.

• http://davehouston.org/roZetta-Zarduino.htm

That looks AWESOME!

[dhouston]

That looks AWESOME!

Thanks.

Based on quotes from the Chinese company that will build them, the price will be attractive as well. While the final decision on pricing will be made by the distributor I'm working with (whose prices are aggressive), I'm confident these will be very affordable and deliver maximum bang for the buck.