Philips Hue just announced an expansion to its subscription service. The Philips Hue Sync TV app subscription was initially supported on Samsung smart TVs (Tizen) but it’s now also arriving on LG (WebOS) branded smart TVs. So let’s see whether the subscription is worth it or just an unnecessary way of monetization.
1. Philips Hue Sync TV Subscription: What does it offer?
Philips Hue’s popular Hue Sync TV app is expanding beyond Samsung TV. To recall, it allows users to synchronize up to 10 Hue lights with the movies or games they have running on their TV. This creates a more immersive ambient lighting effect without needing an external bridge or box. While this was limited to Samsung, LG is also receiving support for this app starting in Spring 2025.
2. So how do you get it?
Well, this is where the first issue starts. People who own an LG WebOS powered smart TV do get access to this subscription, but the app will basically have you spend around $130. For $100, the pretty lighting is already quite expensive.
If you don’t want to pay outright, you can also opt for the $3 monthly subscription service. This is identical to the service model offered via Samsung TVs. John Smith, Business Leader Philips Hue at Signify stated that they are “making it easier than ever for our users to enjoy immersive entertainment lighting direct from their TV”, however, this doesn’t really make sense to me.
3. The Nitpick
Philips Hue as a brand is known for smart home products especially smart lighting products like smart LED lights and others. These gadgets by design are meant to offer an additional layer of intuitive control or customizability over traditional lighting. While individual interaction is still there, the advantages of these smart IoTs only shine when paired together. Asking your customers to pay for a feature like this just makes it unnecessary monetization.
So who is it for?
Not everybody has the time, patience, or know-how to set up their own hub for light controls. Most people just want a quick and efficient solution to improve the aesthetic of their homes. In that regard, Philips Hue is most definitely offering a good answer.
The subscription isn’t surprising either considering the amount of subscription services that are in the market right now. This ranges from your new cars, apps, streaming platforms, and whatnot.
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