Home technologies that are considered "smart" often are elaborately complicated, especially when it comes to installation. Philips' Hue line of wireless dimmer lights is far from that, says Fast Co. Design.
The $40 kits include a light bulb and remote, and installation only requires screwing in the bulb. The remote uses the ZigBee radio protocol to dim the light, and it can be stuck to a base that adheres to a wall, effectively creating a light switch. No wires, no drilling into walls, no WiFi passwords.
The remotes last three years, or 50,000 uses, before the battery needs to be replaced. Extra bulbs cost $20.
