Philips Hue HomeKit compatible Bridge coming soon and it'll cost about $60
The online listing for the new Bridge was first spotted by iCulture. The retailer has since pulled it from their site and Philips isn't talking yet about the new product.
The new Hue Bridge will be compatible with all of the Philips Hue smart LED bulbs, and will include the HomeKit features people have been impatiently waiting for, including Siri voice control. The current Hue Bridge isn't compatible, and since adding support requires new hardware instead of software updates, it won't ever be HomeKit-ready.
Apple listed Philips as a HomeKit partner when the platform was first introduced. HomeKit lets iOS device owners control their smart home gear—such as lights, locks, and thermostats—together instead of through separate apps. Saying “It's bed time,” for example, could dim your lights, lock the front door, and change the thermostat setting all at the same time.
HomeKit compatible devices have been slowly rolling out over the past couple months, and more are on the way.
If spending about $60 to add Siri voice control to your Hue lights isn't worth it, your current Bridge will continue to work just fine. You also won't be able to gang up commands with devices from other manufacturers.
Philips hasn't said when its HomeKit compatible Hue Bridge will ship. Since it showed up on a retailer's site, however, it's likely an official announcement will be coming soon.