C by GE smart lighting products will pair automatically with Google Home smart speakers
General Electric (GE) has announced its C by GE smart lighting products have become the first smart bulbs capable of pairing automatically with Google Home smart speakers.
After screwing the bulbs in and turning them on, they will automatically sync with Google Assistant and be controllable by Google Home smart speakers. User can then, for example, ask Google Assistant to dim the light with their voice, and use routines to trigger a series automation actions.
C by GE offers two smart light bulbs connected to Bluetooth. The C-life bulb is dimmable with the color temperature fixed at a warm 2700K and maximum 800 lumens of brightness; the C-Sleep bulb can automatically change its color temperature according to the time of the day with maximum 850 lumens.
Instead of using control protocols such as Zigbee (used by Philips Hue) or Wi-Fi (by LIFX), GE adopts Bluetooth as the connection protocol, which allows users to control the bulbs directly from their smartphones.
In the past, if homeowners want to control their GE light bulbs using voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, they were required to purchase a C Reach plug-in hub to enable the interactions.
With the new integration with Google Assistant, GE is adopting an open strategy and making its smart light bulbs closely integrated to other smart platforms.
In addition, GE will also offer a Smart Light Starter Kit, bundling a Google Mini smart speaker and a C-Life bulb for US$55, cheaper than buying the two products separately.
The automatic pairing feature as well as the Smart Light Starter Kit will be available starting October 22.
“This exclusive lighting collaboration with Google means controlling your lighting with your voice is as simple as screwing in a light bulb, and you also can drive robust outcomes based on your unique routines with custom-set schedules,” said Jeff Patton, general manager of Connected Home Product Management at GE Lighting.