The LIFX is an interesting take on the familiar LED bulb-- a wifi-controllable "smartbulb" allowing not only remote on/off and brightness control but also a full range of lighting colours.

The bulb is energy efficient, being a RGB phosphorous COB LED lamp. Using a master/slave system it connects to home routers via 802.11n and to other LIFX smartbulbs via 802.15.4 mesh networks.

Control comes through iOS and Android apps and is complete with timer and mood lighting options.

Currently using Kickstarter for pre-orders, LIFX already has orders worth $1.3 million after less than a month... with an original goal of just $100000.

App-controlled LED lamps are not a new concept-- back in March 2012 NEC lighting showed off a prototype with an integrated speaker and Bluetooth connectivity.

Go LIFX: The Light Bulb Reinvented

Savant Systems transforms the LiteTouch product portfolio into Savant Lighting Control, a series installers can integrate within the Savant automation ecosystem or use as a standalone lighting control system.

Best known for AV control systems based on trendy Apple products, Savant bought LiteTouch from Nortek back in February 2012.

LiteTouch users can activate lights via Savant keypads as well as the iOS and Mac apps from the company, including TrueControl and TrueImage Control.

In addition installers can set up Savant Lighting Control products as part of a standalone lighting solution, with the same interoperability LiteTouch offered to 3rd party control vendors. Savant's backwards compatible hardware and software designs allows for support and system upgrade of all LiteTouch systems already installed in the field.

The company will also continue supporting 3rd party lighting control systems through the Partners in Excellence Program.

Savant Lighting Control will be available from Q3 2012 through both Savant and LiteTouch dealer networks.

Go Savant Lighting Control

Crestron claims the motor in its motorised shades line is "the quietest on the market," thanks to new low-voltage Quiet Motor Technology (QMT).

The line includes roller shades, Roman shades, skylight shades and drapery track systems, all with designer-inspired fabrics and hardware finishes. Being "Integrated by Design" the Crestron shading solutions work with lighting, AV, climate and security systems from the company.

Control comes through all Crestron systems, including touchscreens, keypads, remotes and Apple/Android devices. Installers can also integrate the shades with Crestron lighting presets for complete control of daylight and electric light.

Go Crestron Shading Solutions

A wise man once asked-- how bright should the room I watch TV in be? Now the CEA and and CEDIA shine a light on the question with the "Home Illumination Study, CEA-TR-1."

The technical report carries the results of a global  joint survey measuring home illumination "for the purpose of optimising power measurement of TVs including Automatic Brightness Control (ABC)."

The results? The survey suggests one should measure ABC for 0 lux (dark room), 12 lux (nighttime viewing) and 300 lux (daytime viewing). It also recomments TV makers should set TVs to initiatie ABC levels within 3 points of those light levels.

Insteon launches what it claims is the first-to-market networked remote control dimmable LED light bulb-- the Insteon LED Bulb 8 Watt (60W), featuring sleek design, simple installation and easy linkup to all Insteon controllers.

The bulb is fully dimmable and can be added to any number of scenes to easily create custom lighting. Like other Insteon devices, the bulb acts as a network signal repeater and sends signals over RF and powerline.

Customers can also control the light bulb via iOS and Android smartphone/tablet app.

Go Insteon Ships World's First Remote Control Networkeed LED Bulb

A simple LED lamp is not enough for this ceiling light fitting prototype from NEC Lighting-- it comes with integrated speaker and Bluetooth connectivity, and is controllable via Android smartphone app.

The app not only controls music (streamed from the device) but also light quality, the idea being of light and sound spreading through a room from a central point. Users can also select from a number of presets (including waves and birdsong) to provide ambient mood lighting and sound.

The current prototype lamp comes in a wooden frame, but NEC plans to have a variety of designs once the system gets a commercial release by end 2012.

Watch NEC LED Ceiling Light With Integrated Speaker