Philips Lighting at IFA 2017 announced that it plans a new immersive entertainment capability that will enable Philips Hue to sync perfectly with all manner of entertainment content, bringing users thrilling immersive experiences when gaming, watching movies or listening to music. To mark the 5th birthday of the world’s most popular smart home lighting system, the company also announced enhanced smart home functionality for Apple HomeKit as well as new lamps, multi-packs and starter kits.

Extract from Disney Moana “How far I’ll go” by Auli’i Cravalho, in a tech showcase with new Philips Hue entertainment, synchronizing Philips Hue lights with entertainment content. (Image: Disney Music)

Philips Hue Entertainment - immersive ‘surround sound’ for the eyes

Philips Lighting announced today plans for Philips Hue Entertainment, a software update that takes home entertainment to a new level by synchronizing Philips Hue lights with movies, gaming and music content (including streamed content), provided in close collaboration with the entertainment industry.

(Image: Disney Music)

The new feature follows successful entertainment pilots with The Voice, Syfy and Live Nation. Philips Hue customers will have access to it in December through a free over-the-air update for all existing Philips Hue V2 bridges and all Philips Hue color-capable lights.

“Philips Hue Entertainment will be fast, synchronous and easy to set up. We want Philips Hue to be a natural ingredient of any gaming, movie or audio experience – delivering a new level of spatial immersion, complementing action on the screen. We like to think of it as surround sound for the eyes,” explains Chris Worp, Business Group Leader Home at Philips Lighting.

“We are committed to developing Philips Hue Entertainment along with our partners and leading brands and invite players in the entertainment industry to join us. In October, we will open up an early access program which will allow partners to use our platform capabilities and entertainment developer kit to advance further this functionality ahead of our December launch. Together we will create a new generation of immersive entertainment experiences.”