Philips Hue’s New HDMI Sync Box Works With the Latest Game Consoles

Signify’s Philips Hue bulbs are still going strong as an ecosystem despite the rest of the smart home industry feeling a little dormant overall. At IFA in Berlin, which we’ve been steadily covering this week with both physical and remote boots on the ground, Philips introduced a new generation of the Hue Play HDMI sync box, a hub for all your entertainment connections. There are also new Alexa and Google Home integrations—even as the platforms are undergoing their metamorphosis—and a new pendant light meant to spruce up any boring old surface.

The Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 8K—say that in one breath—is the marquee release here. For $350, the new version works with game consoles instead of being limited to televisions and streaming devices. The sync box has HDMI 2.1, which supports up to 8K resolutions, hence the name, and refresh rates of up to 120Hz. That also makes connecting to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox One possible. Now, when you play games, your Philips Hue lights will be in sync, too—up to 10 Philips Hue lights at a time. All the Hue lights work with the new HDMI sync box 8K, including Play lights, which are programmed specifically to match the content that’s on TV.

This announcement also comes with an update to the Philips Hue app, which I admittedly haven’t opened in a while since I make most commands through the Google Home app. The Hue mobile app will get four new light effects, including Cosmos, Underwater, Enchant, and Sunbeam. You can also personalize Effects as needed, which I realize now is part of why I stopped using the app. I liked their effects but always needed to tweak them based on my sensitivity that day.

The Hue app will add support to manage multiple Hue bridges simultaneously without switching between them. Later this year, the app will also receive an update that makes the recently launched Philips Hue Secure cameras accessible through Alexa or Google’s digital assistants.

Okay, but I want that pendant light

The Philips Hue Ensis is a pendant light serving as an ultra-modern chandelier. Philips advertises that it’s meant for the dining table. It has two lights that you can control individually to set a scene for a dinner party or add some ambient light to a typically unused room. It is also appropriately chandelier priced at $480. You can buy it now if you like what you see.