While the most striking thing about Loftek-Sansi’s Wi-Fi Smart RGB LED bulb is that it changes colors in time to music, it also serves other purposes. Whether you have a fully connected smart home or just want to try a single bulb, this one can get you started. Loftek-Sansi also makes a Wi-Fi Dual Color Temperature White Bulb if a full-color spectrum bulb with rhythm isn’t on your must-have list.
The two lights share some characteristics and features. Both are 10-watt, 800 lumen LED bulbs suitable to replace 60-wattt incandescent light bulbs. Each has an E26 base — the standard size for most bulbs — and both are dimmable. The bulbs connect with and are controlled by an Android or iOS mobile app via Wi-Fi. No hub is required to use the bulbs and a mix of styles can be operated individually or grouped on the app. Neither bulb integrates with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or IFTTT in their current versions. Loftek-Sansi told Digital Trends by email that another version of the lights that uses a hub is in development and will be compatible with Alexa and IFTTT, It will be released some time in 2017.
The Dual Color bulb adjusts from very white to full yellow via the app, so you can use it to replace incandescent lights with a warmer, yellow glow if you like that look, or you can go for the bright white LED look. The app has quick sets that let you tap one of four buttons on the white-to-yellow spectrum or select other gradations with a white-to-yellow color wheel. You adjust the dimmer from the app.
The RGB light is where the party happens. This smart bulb will not only display white and yellow, the app also has quick set buttons for green, red, and blue. In addition, you can tap on a full-color palette circle to change the selection. The music function syncs with whatever is playing on the mobile device with the controlling app, switching between colors and brightness levels in time with the music. There are 20 preset color combinations that the bulb will gradually transition to or they will blink if you just want the color to keep changing.
Loftek-Sansi sent us one of each of the bulbs to try. The setup process requires that you first disconnect your mobile device from your home Wi-Fi network and connect to the bulb. You could leave it like that to control just one bulb at a time, but the idea is that to change the bulb’s network setting to your home network while connected to the bulb via Wi-Fi.
We had some issues with the process at first and emailed a company representative for help. It turns out in order to connect the Loftek-Sansi bulbs to our home network, we had to be sure that our router’s “wireless isolation” was not turned on. We also had to enable a guest network and separately allow guest devices to connect with other devices. After initial concern that the bulbs would only connect with a wide open, unsecure network — which would be a very bad idea, we were able to set WEP security password protection for the guest network. We couldn’t get them to work with WPA security, but at least the network was not unsecured. After connecting successfully to our home network, it was easy to use and adjust the bulbs from the app.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.