- A new Philips Hue -Smart -button is likely to be launched in the coming months
- Test documents suggest that it will have a similar design as the original button
- The button may work with the upcoming Philips Hue AI assistant
It seems to denote – the company behind Philips Hue – is preparing to start a new smart button to let you control your lights with a push from anywhere in your house.
The news comes from Fabian from Hueblog.com, who discovered a list of a new device from Signify on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) site. All devices capable of sending radio signals must be registered with FCC before they can be sold in the US, so it is often a good source of early info on products that will soon hit the shelves.
Although there are no photos, we can download more details from the FCC archiving. The product is classified as a ‘digital transmission system’, and supporting documents (including the location of its FCC approval label and its test report) reveal that it will be a small, circular device using Zigbee technology, with specifications similar to the original Hue Smart button.
“There will be no functional differences to the previous model, and the form factor will basically remain the same,” concludes Fabian. “However, the second generation of Hue Smart button will be a little bigger and more angular, and the overall design will be a little more sophisticated.”
What to expect
We are big fans of the original Philips Hue Smart button here at Techradar. When he reviewed it back in 2023, our reviewer Alistair Charlton appreciated how easy it is to install using either its wall mounting plate or small adhesive. Whichever you choose, the button itself just magnetic button in place and can be removed and used as a remote when you want.
The Smart button can perform two functions of your choice – one when pressed once and another when pressed and held. It is much simpler than the Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch, which acts as a damper with four programmable buttons in the middle, but the smart button is a practical and affordable way to operate your smart lights without using voice commands or an app.
What interests me is the timing. We know that Antherify will soon introduce an AI assistant to Philips Hue Lights who will use generative AI to create custom lighting schemes. It will be interesting to see if we can use this assistant to program the button or press the button to cycle through AI-generated stage options.
Hopefully it will also come in black. Tap Dial Switch is available in a choice of colors and a darker option would make the small button an even more discreet way of serving your lights.
