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At CES 2023, Philips Hue announced their latest new range of products.
Philips Hue Sync TV app for Samsung TVs
The main announcement could prove controversial and rattle a few cages. Philips Hue is launching a native app for Samsung TVs
The new Philips Hue Sync TV app synchronises Philips Hue smart lights with everything that’s shown on your Samsung TV. Users can enjoy a seamless and immersive light syncing experience when gaming or watching a movie, even via native apps such as Netflix and Disney+. The app supports all image formats, such as 8K, 4K and HDR 10+.
The press release indicates that the Philips Hue Sync TV app offers all the same functionality as you would get from the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box.
That all sounds amazing, but the big catch is that this is a paid-for app, and they want £115 for it! There are very few apps that are priced that high, and they tend to be niche apps for a professional market. I am certainly not aware of any apps on a TV OS that cost this.
On the flip side, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box costs £230, and the native app will actually work better than the Sync Box as it should support 8K and 4K/120Hz. Based on that, the Hue Sync app is arguably good value for money. I think my main issue with it is the fact you are either stuck with Samsung TVs indefinitely or will lose access to the app when you switch brands.
Other Announcements
Aside from home entertainment innovations, there are more new Philips Hue products to announce. With a sleek black design, the Philips Hue Resonate downward wall light offers warm-to-cool white and colour light that shines downwards in any outdoor space. The wall light can bring colour to porches or patios or create a warm welcome for guests when placed near the front door. Its light can be narrowed with the included clip to personalise the appearance of its triangle of light, perfect for narrower walls or pillars.
The Philips Hue Tap dial switch is now also available with a new round mini mount as an alternative to the square wall mount.
Lastly, the Philips Hue Go portable table lamp had previously been announced, but the price and availability were not released. It now has an official launch date of the 21st of February and will cost £140.