Philips hue tap is a kinetic powered smart light switch

Philips has unveiled an interesting new product for the people out there that are into smart lighting and the ability to create custom light scenes. Philips already has a complete line of hue bulbs that can be controlled with a smartphone or tablet.

The company has now rolled out a high-tech light switch called the hue tap. The switch is powered by kinetic energy and needs no battery or hard wiring to connect. The hue tap has four buttons that you can bind light scene creations for times when a tablet or smartphone running the app isn't available.

The tap of a button can change between those light creations and turn the lights off as well. The tap gets its power by gathering the energy from the tap of your fingers on the switch. The switch does require the hue bridge that is found in all starter kits to work. Philips will launch the tap in Europe and the US this summer for $59.95.

"Hue tap is the perfect solution for users who want to control their personal wireless lighting with yet more convenience,"� remarks Filip Jan Depauw, Senior Director, Philips Lighting. "It is more than just a modern take on the wall switch - it combines easy-to-use traditional lighting control with the smart, intuitive, fun world of hue."�