The annual CES show in Las Vegas brings together manufacturers and consumers to experience the novelties of consumer electronics and technology. LEDs found its way at the show in different applications: from booth decorations (strips, spot lights), to portable LED lamps used by event photographers, to 3D printers, to TVs, to headlights, etc.

By its nature the show had very few companies offering LED general lighting products.  But those who did illustrated the features that attract electronics aficionados: controllability of lighting environmenment.

Green Wave Reality showed their controllable LED and CFL bulbs at the Z-wave pavilion. zSmart showed the prototype of their RGB  Mood LED that is controlled via app using Bluetooth 4.0. A French startup’ Five Five’ offered a set of LED decorative color changing luminaires that are controlled via mobile app and the controllability of the luminaires is delivered through  Bluetooth. Similar to HUE from Philips, that was also exhibited in the ZigBee pavilion, the FiveFive’s app could match the color from any picture stored on the phone and apply the color to the luminaire.

At the moment all these features as well as compatibility issues of operating systems for devices and price tags appeal to a rather small number of geeky audiences.  The re-positioning of bulbs as electronic devices and/or gadgets at the consumer electronics stores and shows is a great step forward to increase awareness about what controllable lighting environment is and what it can do. However, as much as the controllability and color changing properties spark interest among the show attendees, the final price will drive sales and most importantly volumes.