So much for clap-on, clap-off lights — now, the only sound you need to control the brightness of your bulbs is your voice. On Wednesday, Elgato launched the Eve Light Switch, heralded as “the world’s first light switch with HomeKit technology.” With this new smart home device, you can turn any single or multi-bulb light setup into a Siri-enabled system. That means you can speak to your iPhone, Apple Watch, or other Apple device and control a series of bulbs regardless of shape, size, or color.
By taking the place of a single-pole switch, the Eve Light Switch makes smart lighting an easy experience. With Bluetooth low-energy technology, Elgato promises its latest product is easy to set up while being reliable and power efficient.
“Controlling your light bulbs using Siri is a compelling experience, but up until now, you were out of luck if they were switched off at the wall,” Elgato General Manager Markus Fest said in a statement. “By integrating Bluetooth low-energy technology into the wall switch itself, Eve Light Switch is the first HomeKit-enabled product that provides seamless access to your lights.”
The simple white wall plate of the Eve Light Switch plays into its modern, elegant aesthetic. While you will likely only use Siri to control your lights from here on out, you also have the option of using the capacitive touch sensor for manual operation. Even if you are not at home, you can still control the smart light switch, as long as you have a fourth-generation Apple TV that is set up as a Home Hub. If you are looking to adjust brightness and color — as opposed to just turning your lights on and off — you can pair the Eve Light Switch with a HomeKit-enabled Philips Hue setup.
The Eve Light Switch is available for $49.95.
