Philips (then Philips & Co.) was founded in 1891 and was initially known for its cost-effective light bulbs. While the brand remains a leader in home lighting today, it moved into other consumer categories throughout the 20th century with innovations such as the Philishave electric razor, the first mass-market television, the first compact cassette player and the first VCR.
Although Philips is still known for its personal care products, small appliances, and audio and video applications, Philips Hue has been its biggest contribution to smart home technology. Launched in 2012 through a partnership with Apple, Philips Hue was the first iOS-controlled integrated lighting system.
The app and accompanying smart LED bulb allowed users to create lighting scenes, customize color palettes, and automate their lighting schedule to keep their home safe. Hue was a three-pack of LED bulbs when it launched, but its library of Wi-Fi-enabled, versatile bulbs and devices has grown significantly since then.
Light strips, lamps, dimmer switches, smart sensors, smart plugs and a sync box that turns home theaters into dynamic lighting displays all connect to Philips' Hue bridge to help users automate the essentials in their home. In 2023, the brand continued to demonstrate its commitment to home automation and security with a range of smart home cameras.
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