Belkin’s WeMo ecosystem has partnered with OSRAM SYLVANIA to expand its line-up of Wi-Fi connected lighting products. All told, three new bundles have been released today that focus on different areas of the home. With Apple’s HomeKit on the way and competitors beefing up their own offerings, now is the perfect time for WeMo to make its move.
Since it’s release, WeMo has offered a variety of different smart solutions for managing power and building a smarter home. However, it’s lighting options have arguably been sub-par in comparison to other manufacturers, most notably Philips’ Hue line which has dominated this area of the market. Today’s news aims to change that by targeting specific lighting needs. All of Belkin’s new Osram Lightify offerings are available for purchase today.
WeMo has upgraded its LED Lighting options with the Tunable White Starter Set, which includes two 60 watt equivalent bulbs. The key here is the adjustable temperature range of 2,700 to 6,500 Kelvin that enables users to select how cool or warm the bulb is. Both A19 style bulbs are fully dimmable and retail for $99.99 with an included WeMo Link. Belkin’s previous generation WeMo LED Starter Set is currently available for $44.99 at Amazon if you’re looking for a more cost effective option.
Next up, Belkin has predictably released its own LED strand of bulbs called the Flex RGBW Starter Set. This direct competitor to Philips’ Friends of Hue Lightstrip includes three 2-foot flexible strands of LED lights. It has a self-adhesive backing for connecting to furniture or walls to highlight an area or create unique color combinations. These lights can be programmed to a wide range of colors, are fully dimmable and tunable to 2,700 – 6,500 Kelvin. The Lightify Flex is available today for $119.99, a $30 upcharge from Philips’ Lightstrips.
Perhaps the biggest surprise from the announcement is WeMo’s Gardenspot Mini RGB Starter Set, which is designed to bring custom colors and lighting controls to your outdoor scenes. It comes with 14-feet of length and nine mini LED lights that are “wet-rated” for outdoor use. At $129.99 for the set, it certainly would not be the most cost effective way to light your garden or outdoor entertainment space but a nice option if you’re willing to spend for the extra features.
Today’s news from Belkin adds more options to an already crowded marketplace that continues to evolve. These prices sustain the trend of uncharging for the ability to control your devices from a smartphone or Internet connected device. Hopefully as competition continues to increase, we’ll see a drop in prices across the board. Belkin’s previous generation WeMo products are widely discounted at retailers such as Amazon.
[9to5-press-release]
WEMO® AND OSRAM SYLVANIA ANNOUNCE AVAILABILITY OF THREE NEW WEMO-ENABLED LIGHTIFYTM STARTER SETS
PLAYA VISTA, CA AND DANVERS, MA – June 15, 2015 – Continuing to grow its award-winning Internet of Things ecosystem, WeMo,® and OSRAM SYLVANIA today announced the availability of three new lighting starter sets featuring WeMo-enabled OSRAM LIGHTIFYTM™ LED products. Designed to provide a fun, easy entry point to smart lighting, each WeMo LIGHTIFY bundle includes a WeMo Link ZigBee®-to-Wi-Fi bridge and a single combination of LIGHTIFY products including the Gardenspot Mini RGB, the Flex RGBW, and the Tunable White A19 LED bulb.
“The new WeMo + OSRAM LIGHTIFY starter sets expand the variety of lighting options for WeMo users with approachable and decorative smart lighting solutions for the whole home – from the kitchen to the backyard,” said Peter Taylor, director of product management for WeMo. With a wide range of features, including full red, green, blue color spectrum and color temperature support and IFTTT compatibility, the LIGHTIFY sets are the first WeMo-enabled partner products to ship with a WeMo Link included, opening up the WeMo ecosystem to a whole new group of connected consumers.”
First announced at the 2015 International CES, the WeMo-enabled LIGHTIFY bulbs bring enhanced lighting options for current WeMo users and connect OSRAM LIGHTIFY users to the WeMo’s growing line of home automation products including smart switches, cameras, appliances and sensors. The bundled LIGHTIFY products will work with the included WeMo Link and the WeMo app, allowing users to control them from anywhere with a smart device. Through the WeMo app, users can change colors and color temperature, schedule lights to come on or off at a certain time or at Sunrise or Sunset, control lights individually or in groups, control brightness, or set a sleep fader to gradually fade to dark.
“At OSRAM SYLVANIA, we’re dedicated to providing quality and cost-effective products that enhance the end user experience for the automated home. The new WeMo-enabled LIGHTIFY Starter Sets enable users to easily integrate lighting control into a trusted ecosystem with options to automate other areas of the home,” said Aaron Ganick, head of LIGHTIFY, North America. “From decorative to functional, each of these WeMo-enabled LIGHTIFY Starter Sets offer consumers connectivity and control alongside superior LED lighting technology and quality.”
New WeMo-enabled LIGHTIFY bundles include:
WeMo + OSRAM LIGHTIFY Gardenspot Mini RGB Starter Set (F5Z0598)
- The Gardenspot Mini RBG Starter Set brings thousands of color options to outdoor lighting and is best suited for gardens, decks, or walkways, even in wet climates. With the WeMo app, users can choose from thousands of colors to create the perfect outdoor oasis any time of day or night. The Starter Set includes: One 14 foot string of nine Gardenspot Mini LED lights, a WeMo Link, a power supply and a LIGHTIFY controller.
WeMo + OSRAM LIGHTIFY Tunable White Starter Set (F5Z0596)
- The Tunable White Starter Set features two tunable, 60 watt equivalent LED bulbs to help select the perfect shade of white light for any activity. With a temperature range of 2,700 to 6,500 Kelvin, the tunable whites allow users to switch between the refreshing blue-toned whites that are best for working and warmer, cozier yellow-toned whites better suited for relaxing. The bulbs are fully dimmable and easily installed in any standard light fixture. The Starter Set includes: two tunable white A19 LED bulbs and a WeMo Link.
WeMo + OSRAM LIGHTIFY Flex RGBW Starter Set (F5Z0597)
- The Flex RGBW Starter Set offers fully adjustable and flexible decorative lighting in thousands of colors and a full range of whites. Simple to install with a self-adhesive backing, the Flex RGBW strip can highlight a piece of furniture or architectural detail, provide under-cabinet lighting, or add dramatic lighting to any area in the home. Fully dimmable and tunable from 2,700 – 6,500 Kelvin, the Flex RGBW Starter Set includes: three flexible, 2 foot long LED strips, a WeMo Link, a power supply and a LIGHTIFY controller.
Pricing and Availability
The three new WeMo OSRAM LIGHTIFY Starter Sets are available now online and in store at major retailers in the United States, including Amazon.com, Best Buy and Best Buy.com, and Belkin.com. The Gardenspot Mini Starter Set has an MSRP of $129.99, the Tunable White Starter Set has an MSRP of $99.99 and the Flex RGBW Starter Set has an MSRP of $119.99.
About WeMo
WeMo is Belkin’s award-winning home automation ecosystem and the leader in delivering customizable smart home experiences. Designed to be the most approachable entry point to the smart home, WeMo products and partner products empower people to manage, monitor and adjust their electronics, appliances and lighting from anywhere at any time via the free WeMo app. To learn more about WeMo visit http://wemothat.com. Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WeMo, and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/wemo.
About OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
OSRAM SYLVANIA is part of OSRAM Americas, a group of OSRAM companies located in North and South America. As a leader in lighting solutions and services, specializing in innovative design and energy saving technology, the company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles under the brand names OSRAM, Traxon, ENCELIUM and SYLVANIA. The company’s portfolio covers the entire value chain of components, ranging from lamps, control units and optical semiconductors such as light-emitting diodes (LED) to luminaires, light management systems and lighting solutions. The OSRAM SYLVANIA and OSRAM Americas regional headquarters is located in Danvers, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.osram-americas.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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