How to Control Electric Bulb with Android Phones

Technology is increasing by the day, in this article, we shall be showing you how to Control Electric Bulb with Android Phones.

The Philips Hue Lighting Solution.

When one thinks of smart lighting, Philips Hue is one of the choices that
might come to mind. First introduced in 2012, Philips Hue is a line of LED color-changing and white ambiance products created by Philips, including bulbs, light strips, lamps, and wall controllers.

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The Philips Hue lighting works wirelessly through iOS devices such as iPhone and iPad and uses the Zigbee lighting protocol to communicate. This specification is less expensive than other wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

In order to get started with Philips Hue, one must purchase a starter pack (UK), which contains a few light bulbs and the required bridge components. You can connect up to 50 devices to each Philips Hue bridge. If you wish to add more than 50 devices, you will need to purchase another bridge.

Cost Factors

Depending on the type of lights included in the package, Philips Hue starter packs range in price from $70 to $200. Individual bulbs range in price from $15 to $50 each. Accessories such as light strips and lamps cost extra, sometimes as much as $100 per unit.

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N/B: The Philips Hue pack is easy setup and lights last for a long time. It could also be expensive depending on the number of lights you need.

LIFX smart light bulbs

From 2017, Philips Hue is no more the only smart lighting solution in town. Companies such as LIFX and ilumi also offer smart lighting solutions. Some of these do not even require a bridge to operate. Depending on your budget, it might be wise to look at these alternatives before making a decision.

Take for instance, with LIFX smart light bulbs, you can choose from between millions of colors or a thousand shades of white. Best of all, LIFX’s set-up does not require a hub, bridge, or extra hardware. Simply replace your existing bulbs and download the free LIFX application to get started.
These bulbs range in price considerably, from $30 for the LIFX White Range (CA) bulb to $60 for the all-in-one LIFX bulb (UK). For $80, you can purchase a LIFX+ bulb (CA), which helps to brighten your space, even in the dark using infrared.

Smart Switches

If you are looking from an installation standpoint, there is nothing easier than replacing your standard bulbs with smart bulbs in your home. However, if you are willing to get out your toolbox and work with your home’s wiring, you can swap your existing light switches out for smart switches and keep the bulbs you have. By adding a smart switch, you will be automating the ON/OFF switch itself, and programming when it should turn ON or OFF.
Smart switches, like smart bulbs, rely on a wireless personal area networks WPAN to operate. Typical solutions rely on either Wi-Fi or ZigBee. Wi-Fi will work with your home’s current home network, while the ZigBee requires a hub or control device.

Belkin WeMo Light Switch stands among the most popular light switches on the market. The Wi-Fi enabled device allows you to turn lights ON and OFF from anywhere in the world using a mobile device, be it Android or iOS.
Cost Factors
We have so many factors to consider when deciding whether to use smart switches to create a smart lighting solution in our home. Cost, of course, is one of the most important factors to consider. Determining the initial costs can prove to be difficult. However, depending on your situation, you will need to decide how many lights to control with each switch and continue from there.
N/B: With this switch, you can keep existing lights and fixtures. However, it Requires installation that could be time consuming.

Smart Plugs and Outlets

Another great technological solution for smart lighting is the installation of smart plugs or smart outlets around your house. This solution allows you to automate anything with a plug on it, or turn it ON/OFF remotely using your mobile device. Plugs and outlets come in various forms with some featuring built-in dimming controls.
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Lamps work well with smart plugs, of course. You can also benefit by using smart outlets with non lighting products, such as small appliances, space heaters, or entertainment centers.

The $40 WeMo Switch Smart Plug (CA) is a nice choice that works with Amazon Alexa. Another one is the $50 iDevices Wi-Fi Smart Plug, which works with Apple HomeKit, Android, and Amazon Alexa.

Cost Factors

This Smart outlets offer plug-and-play simplicity, which makes them an ideal choice for users. They also provide maximum flexibility since they work with products that are not lights. You might find that buying smart bulbs remains the least expensive solution, depending on your situation.
In case your eyes are set on a smart plug or smart outlet solution, an excellent way to save some money is to use a plug splitter to multiply the device out to multiple lamps.
N/B: This solution is simple to setup and flexible, with possibly no cost savings.

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