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GE switches onto smart light bulb market with Link

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GE is entering the smart bulb market with Link bulbs starting at around US$15
GE's new Link smart bulb promises premium features with a reasonable price tag
The full starter kit for GE's Link costs $50 and includes two bulbs and the connect hub
GE is entering the smart bulb market with Link bulbs starting at around US$15
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One device that's leading the charge of internet of things devices into the home is the light bulb, with companies including Philips, Insteon, LIFX Labs and Lumen all providing options. Now, GE is joining the party with Link, a connected LED bulb with a fairly reasonable price tag.

As you might expect, Link bulbs can be controlled via an app that allows users to adjust brightness and set different moods for different spaces in their home. Of course, it also allows users to remotely turn lights on and off. The app, called Wink, has been around for a while, as it works with GE's other connected products, such as the Aros air conditioner.

Link light bulbs will be available in three different options – an A19 shaped 60 W replacement, a BR30-shaped 65 W equivalent, and a 90 W replacement PAR 38 spotlight-style bulb. The A19 60 W replacement is the standard light bulb shape and comes with a US$14.97 price tag, while the 65 W equivalent costs $19.97, and the spotlight is a little more at $24.97.

To take advantages of the connected features provided by the ZigBee-certified bulbs, a GE Link hub is required, which will set consumers back $29.97. There's also a starter kit that contains two of the 60 W bulbs and a hub for $49.97. Like all LED bulbs, GE promises a longer lifespan and lower power use than traditional incandescents, thus saving money in the long run despite the higher up front cost.

GE has started taking preorders for its new Link LED bulbs at Home Depot, with orders set to be filled between July 4 and July 8.

Source: GE

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5 comments
Robert in Vancouver
Only $20 for a 65 watt bulb. Wow! What a deal!
It will pay for itself in only 100 years!
Oh, but it only lasts 50% longer than a $0.50 bulb so it will never pay for itself. But it will save the planet, the Moon, Mars, the stars, and the universe too.
wahoo
Robo nailed it to the cross. Hooray ROBO!
Wayne Johnston
Hello Robo,
You should look at the following website forthe real costs and lifespan of various bulb types:
http://www.designrecycleinc.com/led%20comp%20chart.html
Your emotional content is well endowed, but your facts are a bit non-existent. The LED bulb lasts 40 times longer than an incandescent one and the energy costs are about 1/10 that of incandescents for the same equivalent wattage. If this bulb makes you crazy, then the future guaranteed rollout of LED bulbs will make your totally insane. Perhaps you are using incandescent bulbs as heaters ?
Wagabear
Lamar Havard
I've already replaced my living room, kitchen, and two bedroom lights with the Cree 60W equivalent soft white bulbs. 9.5W, 25,000 hrs., and you can run them for 3 hrs. a night for a YEAR for $1.14 of electricity. And you can't tell that it's not an incandescent bulb. Home Depot - $9.95.
ETO
Good comments here. It's easy to say $20 is a lot for a light bulb; but remember that this one is ZigBee-certified, which means wireless control is possible. You can get them for a lot cheaper, and with some rebates offered around the world, you could even pick up a standard A19 LED 'bulb' for USD $6. That should be an affordable starting point for most people now, meaning LEDs should be more attractive than ever before. But they still haven't really caught on, I can't help thinking that most people just haven't sat down and done the math(s). And to be fair, neither had I until recently. I'd like to add some more perspective based on my own real world experience. Example – A building with 38 halogen downlights at 35 Watt each Direct replacement with 6.5 Watt LED 1330 Watt required, reduces to 247 Watt required Saving 1080 Watt Expected service life of the lamp 30,000hrs (actual on time) This means a saving of 31,981KW/Hr over their expected service life. Depending on your cost per KW/Hr 5c per KW/Hr = $1599.05 30c per KW'Hr = $9594.30 Cost of these particular lamps was $12 each = $456 initial capital outlay. I have similar LED lamps in use elsewhere that have close to 30,000 hrs on them, they continue to provide trouble free operation and have saved thousands already, despite costing USD $43 each. (these were fitted for safety reasons due to excessive heat build up,).
This was a unique case as these lights are almost always on. Payback at our power price occurred inside of 3 months.
It surprised me just how much of a difference changing to LED made. Now that I have the figures, it seems I have been foolish for not changing sooner. Food for thought.