Smart lighting brand Philips Hue has announced some great new gear and software updates including Sonos control via a physical switch, compatibility with Nanoleaf Shapes and a new camera that syncs your Hue system with your TV.
During its showcase during IFA 2026, Hue also revealed numerous additions to its smart lighting ranges including my personal pick – the huge Liane 360°- rope light with consistent lighting throughout its flexible form. Plus there are some additions to the Signe design-led range and three new Festavia lights in time for the festive season.
The additional Festavia lights include some icicles (very appealing), a net-style light for a bush or tree, plus some ‘curtain-style’ cascading lights.
Philips Hue Play Screen Sync means that you can sync your Hue lights with what’s on your TV using a camera that ‘sees’ what’s on your screen. The company is also launching a simpler single HDMI sync box, too, to go alongside the multi-HDMI boxes already available.
There were also a bunch of new software capabilities as well. Chief among the new features a way to control your Sonos system with some of Hue’s physical switches including the Hue Tap Dial Switch. You can assign favourites to buttons, adjust the volume and skip a song. This will become available in November.
Hue has also partnered with light panel maker Nanoleaf to bring those devices into a single system if you have both types of smart lights – though it seems you will need the separately available Philips Hue Wall Light Module to do this.
Hue also now give you a way to back up your Hue system configuration to the cloud – ideal for those with larger configurations.
Also on the Hue Bridge Pro from October, Custom AI Behaviors means that advanced users can create complex light configurations by asking for what they want in plain language. Hue’s AI assistant will then create a tailored behavior by combining triggers, conditions and lighting actions together.
Pricing details for the new Hue products
- Philips Hue Play Screen Sync – starting at $120/£110/€120. Starter kits will follow in selected markets.
- Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 4K – starting at $150/£140/€150. Starter kits will follow in selected markets.
- Philips Hue Play strip light portfolio (Philips Hue Play gradient strip light and Philips Hue Play gradient strip light pro) – starting at $150/£90/€100.
- Philips Hue Wall Light Module for compatible Nanoleaf Hexagon panels, Triangle and Mini Triangle – starting at $40/£40/€40. Starter kits will also be available from Hue starting at $180/£180/€200.
- Philips Hue Liane 360° rope light – Available from 3 September 2026 in Europe, UK & North America, starting at $400/£380/€430.
- Philips Hue Signe pendant, pendulum and pole – The Signe pendant and pendulum will be available in Europe from 3 September 2026, starting at $320/£310/€350. North American availability will follow in November. Availability of the Signe pole will be announced at a later date.
- Philips Hue Festavia (Curtain, Net and Icicle) – starting at $250/£190/€230.
- Philips Hue Outdoor Semeru, Scenova, Muscari and Struana (Ceiling and wall) – Available from 3rd September 2026, starting at $80/£70/€80.
- Philips Hue OmniGlow outdoor strip light – available in various lengths, starting at $230/£260/€300.
Why not read: I think it’s clear Hue is preparing for a full smart home ecosystem with Hue Bridge Pro
Read the full article here
