Best available and working "F.lux" setup with smart lights?
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Update: I've worked on better utilizing the single Philips hue bulb I have. I Worked with technical support to get over a software update hurdle that has plagued me since owning the hub/bulb. The update kept failing mid install. I found it really strange that in order to update, I had to use my iphone, I would think the networked BRIDGE should be able to do the update. It keeps irking me how helpless their supposed bridge is, it should do a lot more considering it takes up a precious lan port on my home router.
I've setup some scenes in Huemote ios app (presets, not the gimmicky image color picker thing like in the official Philips Hue app) and added them to my Today widget on my iPhone. It works, and works relatively fast since I can get to my widget from my lock screen. Still not a replacement for a light switch, and it's not dynamic, but it works well enough for me for now. I'll wait for something more along what I want to come out on the market. I've got a single scene for blue and green that is 100% brightness (doesn't seem very bright for some reason) and 2x of each, yellow amber (100%, 50%) and 3 for the red (100%,50%, 10%). Asides from that there's the global all on all off toggles.
I had bought the Lightbow app hoping to create my own dawn and dusk simulations, but I found that while the animation features are robust for multiple bulbs, it couldn't do more than about 2 minutes of animation for any single bulb. It seems like it's more geared towards patterns that repeat with one cycle spanning no more than ~2 minutes total. You can't put 2 minute animations back to back for a single bulb, so it's truly a dead end for what I was trying to achieve. Disappointing there. It's a nice app, it just can't do what I want.
Anyways, Philips Hue and Huemote works In the meantime, I will wait for something better to come out on the market before spending more. I find my rechargeable Black Diamond ReVolt headlamp is a very cost effective solution for red light at night. The spread is not even (can see the circles while reading) but again, it works, and I like that it's rechargeable and versatile. The red leds are not dimmable, although the whites ones are. Imagine if a headlamp could emulate dawn dusk. But who would wear a headlamp to bed? lol. I could only see this working as a dusk simulator while reading a book leading up to sleep.
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FYI I received an email today from GE, here's the online version of the email. Looks like release of the C series bulbs is imminent. "C-Live and C-Sleep connected LED bulbs will be ready to order on March 8th"
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GE C Series lights are available for order in starter packs as of a few moments ago. Coupon code for 20% off the retail price, introductory price is $50 right now, will jump to $70.
The fine print says discount code ( Sleeptight ) expires 3/22/16. Offer is good for up to 5 starter packs.
I'm putting in my order today! Now, the only question is how many to place and order for…
