In every well-appointed lighting design, there are the doers (think recessed ceiling fixtures and undercabinet LEDs) and those like that retro torchiere in the corner or the demure lamp on the bedside table that serve a decidedly more decorative purpose. For centuries, the two types of lighting have stayed true to their lot in life. That is, until now.
Forward-thinking companies are bridging the gap between form and function with new connected lighting products that do everything from setting the mood to signaling that it’s time to sleep. GE is putting the finishing touches on a new contemporary table lamp that can turn on your lights, tell you the weather forecast and order takeout.
The first of its kind, the new lamp from GE’s C by GE line features built-in Amazon Alexa Voice Service thus eliminating the need for an Amazon Echo unit, hub or even a smart phone. Everything you need is inside the lamp.
“This integration is so much more than connecting lighting to voice integration,” says Jeff Patton, General Manager Connected Home Products, GE Lighting. “It’s really about simplifying and extending an experience for consumers, allowing them to add smart capabilities throughout the home. Consumers don’t need a cell phone, a special switch or a hub. They just need their voice.”
But don’t rush out to fill your shelves just yet. GE is currently working on a timeline for pre-orders, and representatives for the company say the lamp itself won’t hit the market until the second quarter of 2017, but you can add yourself to an email list and receive updates on the product's launch.
Rayee from Adot Lighting took home the LFI Innovation award for Design Excellence at last year’s Lightfair International. The sleek but sturdy LED table lamp allows users to adjust the light temperature, change the brightness and customize settings for sleeping, reading and leisure with the help of a colorful control panel on its base.
When the cool kids from San Francisco’s Pablo reimagine the common lantern, the result is sure to be extraordinary. And the Uma Sound Lantern delivers. Combining warm dim LED technology (which gives it a soft amber glow) and 360-degree high fidelity surround sound, the portable lamp connects to Bluetooth in order to stream music from any mobile device.
Philips Lighting’s connected LED lighting system, Hue, was among the first in the industry, so it’s no wonder its Beyond luminaire has the smart lamp niche on lock. The light delivers message notifications from your mailbox and calendar and from apps like Facebook. The design also features an independently operated uplight and downlight with more than 16 colors to choose from using the Philips Hue app. Stay tuned for more Hue products, including two new table lamps, from Philips later this year.
Which of these lamps do you want to learn more about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
