Philips integrates the Hue smart lightbulb family with Apple HomeKit and launches the Hue Bridge 2.0, a home automation hub allowing users to control devices through voice commands and Siri.

“Lighting is the most accessible aspect of the connected home, and as the lighting expert for the Internet of Things we are taking connected lighting to the next phase,” the company says. “By integrating Philips Hue with Apple HomeKit, we are broadening people’s experience of light beyond what has been previously possible, providing seamless interoperability with other connected home devices.”

The Hue Bridge 2.0 unifies all HomeKit-enabled devices and provides a means to control devices through Siri and 3rd party apps. HomeKit integration also allows the creation of macros to control multiple devices with a single command-- for example asking Siri to "wake up" the house by turning on lighting, setting the thermostat and unlocking the front door.

One can also set specific commands, such as "Siri, dim the table lamp to 30 percent."

The Hue Bridge 2.0 is available now in European markets.

Go Fiction Meets Reality as Philips Hue Integrates with Apple HomeKit