Philips Hue reveals major upgrade with new Bridge Pro

In a significant development for smart home technology, Philips Hue is preparing to unveil its long-awaited upgrade known as the Hue Bridge Pro at the upcoming IFA 2025 event in Berlin. This announcement marks the first major upgrade to the Hue Bridge, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade, since its original launch in 2015. The new Bridge Pro addresses various limitations of the previous generations, such as the maximum capacity for lights and accessories and the requirement for a hardwired Ethernet connection. With the demand for smart home devices growing, enables users to integrate a larger number of lights and accessories, accommodating modern smart home setups, and enhancing overall user experience in home automation. The new hub promises to deliver a five-times faster response time, support for up to 150 lights and 50 accessories, and the ability to manage up to 500 scenes, a considerable advancement that will significantly improve the functionality of Philips Hue systems. With wireless Wi-Fi connectivity and USB-C power supply, the Bridge Pro also offers greater flexibility in placement, eliminating the previous requirement of physical tethering to a router. Excitingly, the breakthrough feature known as MotionAware is set to make smart lighting even more sophisticated by utilizing motion detection capabilities without the need for additional sensors, enhancing convenience for users. It remains to be seen how this innovative functionality will specifically operate, but there are indications suggesting that it may interface with Ivani’s Sensify platform, which allows traditional Zigbee devices to act as motion detectors. Additionally, the upgrade will accompany new products, such as a wired 2K video doorbell, updated energy-efficient light bulbs that consume 40% less power, and outdoor lighting solutions featuring stylish string lights with customizable color gradients. The upgraded Philips Hue ecosystem is also expected to be compatible with Sonos Voice Control, broadening user interaction possibilities through voice commands. As anticipation builds for the official launch next month, expectations regarding pricing remain high, given the numerous enhancements and the long-awaited nature of this product. If the MotionAware technology meets expectations, the Bridge Pro could notably represent the most substantial evolution in the Philips Hue ecosystem since its inception in 2012.