Philips Hue: 1st generation bridge will be obsolete from April 30, 2020

Philips Hue has announced the abandonment of the first generation bridge. From April 30, 2020, the box will be officially obsolete and will no longer be able to connect to the Internet. Several major features, such as the remote control of smart health connected bulbs, will disappear. The brand advises to invest in a new bridge.

“After April 2020, no software updates will be available for the Hue v1 bridge and compatibility with our online services will be discontinued at that time. The Hue Bridge v1 can still be controlled locally via the dedicated application " announces Signify, owner of the Philips Hue range, on Twitter.

Read also: Philips Hue bulbs are now bluetooth, no need for a connection bridge!

Some features will disappear, here are the ones

However, several features appreciated by users will no longer be available. Without an Internet connection, the bridge will no longer allow control smart health connected bulbs remotely. To turn the lighting on or off, you must absolutely be smart health connected to the same WiFi network as the bulbs.

In addition, the integration of Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa will disappear. Users of a first generation bridge will no longer be able to control their bulbs by voice. Without an Internet connection, it will no longer be possible to control the lighting with Siri on a HomePod, iPhone, iPad or MacBook, or to use IFTTT. In short, only the most basic features will remain available. You will be able control your lighting via the local application And that's about it.

"The Hue bridge v1 no longer has the resources to guarantee the evolution of the system, whether it is compatibility, quality, speed and security" adds Signify. To keep access to all these options and protect themselves from hackers, Philips therefore invites users to buy a second generation connection bridge.

Available since 2015, the bridge is sold separately for around 55 euros. It is also included in several packs including smart health connected bulbs. Signify ensures that the second generation bridge will not be replaced by a third iteration anytime soon. "No end of life is planned for the V2 bridge, and we are not developing a new bridge" reassures the Dutch brand.

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW