A small problem compared to what I faced when attempting to reprogram my strand this year.įor the last two years, I have been able to launch the iOS app and have it find and see the control box just fine on WiFi. Specifically, I want the lights to each change from one color to the next individually and randomly rather than all at once. Unfortunately, the one light programming option I wanted doesn’t exist. There is a customize option, but it’s limited to Twinkle, Fade and Chasing.
When the app was first released, they offered 17 different light patterns which include a variety of chasing options, fading options, twinkling and steady options. It also handles the LED light sequencing. The control box itself is the heart of this system and allows for WiFi connectivity so the Illuminate app can control the light programming. Adding a smart plug lets you control the lights on a schedule via their apps or by voice via a home assistant like Alexa. These plugs support Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT and other networking features. To add the ability to control the power to the lights remotely, you’ll need to purchase a WeMo smart plug or similar networked plug sold separately. If you need a starter kit, expect to spend about $75 or more. However, the add-on strands themselves cost around $30-$50 per strand. You can still find the Illuminate lighting on sale at Target. When power is applied, the lights always turn on. The control box has no ability to turn the lights on or off. Its purpose is only to allow for connectivity for the Illuminate app and to provide light effects for the connected strand(s). While the starter kit does come with the control box, the control box does not offer any kind of networking interface with IFTTT, Amazon Alexa or any other similar control systems. If you’re just hearing about Illuminate lights this year, then let me explain some of the gripes for this product. I was expecting improvements that just never materialized. Worse, the light programming options of the strand is far less programmable than one might hope. It also offers the ability to chain light strands together making the system expandable.Īt the time, I invested into the Illuminate product because Philips had also created the Philips Hue system and I thought they might eventually merge the two product lines together. I think I may have spent $60-$75 or so to buy into the starter kit product with a small strand of lights. However, the Illuminate strands of lights offered chasing lights and many colors, similar to Philips Hue. Typical strands of LED lights cost around half or less (even cheaper if you pick them up on clearance) compared to the Illuminate strands. It is an expensive product which required the purchase of a control box and a strand of lights (startup kit)… the control box being the most costly item to buy. This product had great beginnings, but unfortunately Philips has decided not to continue developing and improving either the app or the product. It took me a while to find these instructions to reset the control box. When trying to connect to my Philips Illuminate strand of lights this year, for whatever reason the Philips Illuminate iOS app is no longer finding them.
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