Smart LEDs

"Smart,” Internet-enabled light bulbs made with LEDs are attracting entrepreneurs and major companies who see the bulbs as the next big thing in lighting. The innovation has attracted a slew of inventors, entrepreneurs and big players in the business.

The smart bulbs connect to a local network, and can communicate with a smartphone, computer or tablet. Owners can then use their phones or computers to control the brightness and, in some cases, color of the light. As an added bonus, users can program the lights to cut down energy costs, for example by turning off the lights at certain times of day. Users who will be away from home could even set the lights to turn on and off to ward off potential burglars.

Several companies have all rolled out or plan to ship a connected LED bulb, including established players like Philips and Insteon, the early-stage and venture-funded Greenwave Reality, and crowdfunded projects LIFX and iLumi.