LIFX expands smart bulb family with light strips and night vision bulbs

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 30 September 2016

Smart bulb manufacturer LIFX is expanding its range of connected lighting products with two new devices: LIFX + and LIFX Z.

LIFX + is a souped up version of the company's flagship smart bulb. In addition to a higher peak brightness of 1,100 lumens, the LIFX + offers "night vision". Even when off, the bulb is able to emit invisible infrared light which can be used to enhance the vision of home security cameras, such as Netgear's Arlo Q.

LIFX + bulbs have an expected life of 22 years, based on three hours per day. They'll retail starting at USD$79.99, although discounts are available if you're looking to purchase two or more in one go. LIFX + bulbs are available in E26 Edison Screw, E27 Edison Screw, and Bayonet fittings.

LIFX Z is an LED light strip, and the first Wi-Fi connected option to have multiple colours per strip. Each metre has a peak brightness of 700 lumens, and eight addressable colour zones. Each light strip can be extended up to 10 metres, although peak brightness is capped at 2,800 lumens.

The USD$89.99 LIFX Z starter pack includes a 2 metre strip, and extensions are available for USD$29.99 per metre.

Pre-orders for the LIFX + and LIFX Z start on October 1 ahead of a November release.

LIFX smart lightning products are compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows 10 devices. Each bulb directly connects to your home Wi-Fi network. A separate base station isn't required. Once configured, the LIFX companion app lets you change the colour of the bulbs, dim them, and schedule them to turn off and on at certain times. LIFX products can also hook into solutions such as IFTTT, allowing them to interact with other smart home devices and web services. For example, you could configure a bulb to always turn on at sunset for your postcode, or a bulb to flash blue whenever someone sends you a message on Facebook.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio