Can Phillips Hue Connect to Wi-Fi (5 Ghz or 2.4 Ghz)?

A recently installed Philips Hue v2 bridge which is setup in my loft.

Today, almost everything is connected by the most popular wireless network protocol – Wi-Fi. Whether it’s the standard 2.4 Ghz frequency, or the newer, faster, 5 Ghz – Wi-Fi is the standard form of wireless communication for most. Wi-Fi is used for most things; from the apps on our phones, to many of the smart … Read more

New Video – Smart Plugs With A PHYSICAL Remote (Why & How!?)

YouTube thumbnail showing me holding up a Hue Smart Plug and a Hue dimmer switch

I was recently playing around with a smart plug, and I didn’t have an Echo device – or my smartphone – nearby. I therefore started wondering whether it was possible to control the smart plug with a physical remote. As it turns out, there’s quite a few options open to you – but funnily enough, … Read more

Do Ring Cameras and Doorbells Need The Ring Bridge (Hub)?

The Ring Smart Lighting Bridge or Hub

In 2020, Ring introduced smart lights for the home, as well as the Ring Bridge in order to control these lights. But with this new addition to the Ring family, some questions have arisen. Many Ring users have begun to wonder if the Ring Bridge is, or will become, necessary to connect not just lights, … Read more

Ethernet Based Smart Plugs: Possible, Pointless or Useful?

Philips Hue smart plug manual showing the different install modes

Smart plugs are an interesting item in the world of smart home devices. They have the potential to become extremely useful, but there are some major questions that need to be answered before you can plug a smart plug into every socket in your home. Smart plug technology is facing off against one of the … Read more

Ethernet Smart Doorbell: Is The Ring Elite Really The Best?

The power over Ethernet Ring Doorbell Elite, mounted on a wall.

We’re in the middle of a smart home technology boom. Everyone is racing to bring new products to the market. Not all of these are just cut-cost clones of name brand products. Companies are releasing products designed to fill both high-end and emerging markets. Ethernet connected doorbells, that may or may not offer the simplicity … Read more

New Video – Protect Your Neighbor’s Privacy With Ring Cameras & Doorbells

Ring neighbors privacy YouTube thumbnail

Ring cameras and Ring doorbells are great for crime prevention and parcel deliveries because they record in full HD and record audio. However this also means that they can be misused to invade neighbor’s privacy. As a result, this video explores some of the things you can do to protect your neighbor’s privacy when installing … Read more

Smart Plugs & Devices With Electric Or Physical Switches

My Dolce Gusto coffee machine with an electric physical switch

Smart plugs are great (or so the marketing says…) – they can easily be used to turn household devices and appliances on/off via your voice, a phone app, automated schedules, and more. Awesome. Unless, of course, you want to control a device which has an electric or mechanical switch – like the red switch below: … Read more

Can You Buy Just The Philips Hue Lightstrip Controller?

Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus controller - front view

I have been on a bit of a smart lighting journey over the past year. I originally disliked the idea of smart lighting, before buying a couple of smart lights here and there – and really liking them. I now have a range of smart lights, including a homemade ZigBee lightstrip and a Philips Hue … Read more

Help! My Philips Hue Tap Switch Buttons Aren’t Working! (How to Fix)

Marketing image of the Philips Hue tap switch button

One of the best features that IoT has brought to the smart home is lighting control. There’s nothing like having an automatic wakeup call from your lights or being able to switch between relaxing evenings or parties with friends at the flip of a switch. Smart home technology is here to make our day-to-day lives … Read more