This is the new Philips Hue smart home security camera
Philips' new smart cameras have leaked in FCC filings, so a launch is imminent
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When Hue’s sister brand Wiz unveiled itsWiz Indoor Cameraearlier this year we wondered whether that was “a sign that Hue is working on something bigger”, and last month Philips said that yes, it was: it was makingsmart home cameras designed to bamboozle burglarsby integrating smart cameras with smart lights.
And now we’ve got an idea of what those cameras will look like because Philips has included some images in its filings with the regulatory body the FCC.
They’re not the most exciting shots, we know. But they suggest that a launch is imminent, and we’re hoping to see the actual products revealed atIFA 2023. That trade show begins at the end of next week, although the shipping date is likely to be some weeks beyond that.
What do we know about Philips Hue smart home security cameras?
These images were unearthed by the German siteHueblog.dein FCC filings, and now at least two models have been granted regulatory approval. Rumors suggest that there may be four cameras in the range in both black and white finishes.
The documents and images describe cylindrical cameras with and without batteries, and a warning sticker says there are strong magnets on board, presumably for mounting the camera to surfaces or to some kind of cradle. Diagrams also show support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, andZigbeestandards. TheHue Bridgeuses Zigbee, so it seems likely that the cameras will connect in much the same way that Hue bulbs do. Recent Hue bulbs can also connect via Bluetooth, although they reserve most of their best features when they’re connected via Zigbee to a bridge.
As far as pricing and availability go, all we have so far are rumors: the wired version is expected to retail for around $200 / £150 and the battery-powered version is likely to be around $50 / £30 more expensive. That sounds right to me: Hue products are usually a lot more expensive than similar but more basic products from Hue’s sister brand, Wiz, such as theWiz Indoor Camerawhich is $69.99 / £79.99.
Philips Huemakes some of thebest smart lightswe’ve seen, and if Wiz’s tentative first step into home security was anything to go by, we could end up with some very capable cams on our hands.
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While it might not seem like a natural synergy, the ability to program lights and security devices in tandem is a pretty major boon for any smart home, whether it’s detecting your movements around the home and effortlessly controlling lights to match your movements or deterring potential bad actors.
Writer, broadcaster, musician and kitchen gadget obsessive Carrie Marshall has been writing about tech since 1998, contributing sage advice and odd opinions to all kinds of magazines and websites as well as writing more than a dozen books. Her memoir,Carrie Kills A Man, is on sale now and her next book, about pop music, is out in 2025. She is the singer in Glaswegian rock bandUnquiet Mind.
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