We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience, serve personalized ads, and analyze traffic. You can manage your preferences or accept/reject all.
Cookie Preferences
EssentialRequired for the site to function. Always active.
AnalyticsHelp us understand how visitors interact with the site.
AdvertisingUsed to deliver personalized ads.
FunctionalEnable enhanced functionality and personalization.
The state of the smart home can be frustrating, because it is just so obvious how things ought to work. You should be able to control everything from everywhere.
Published July 12, 2026 · Category: Tech
Overview
A photo of a lightbulb glowing purple. | Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The state of the smart home can be frustrating, because it is just so obvious how things ought to work. You should be able to control everything from everywhere. Your spaces should adapt to what you're doing and how you're feeling. Making your home smart shouldn't require renovating, and the smarts should be mostly invisible. All of this is, of course, incredibly hard to pull off - but the goal is pretty clear.
Until now, maybe no product has come closer to nailing the smart home than Philips Hue. And on this episode of Version History, we dig into all the things Hue got right. The Verge's David Pierce and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy are joined …
What is "How Philips Hue got the smart home right" about?+
The state of the smart home can be frustrating, because it is just so obvious how things ought to work. You should be able to control everything from everywhere. Your spaces should adapt to what you're doing and how you're feeling. Making your home smart shouldn't require renovating, and the smarts should be mostly invisible. […]
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience, serve personalized ads, and analyze traffic. You can manage your preferences or accept/reject all.
Cookie Preferences
EssentialRequired for the site to function. Always active.
AnalyticsHelp us understand how visitors interact with the site.
AdvertisingUsed to deliver personalized ads.
FunctionalEnable enhanced functionality and personalization.
