Review on 🌈 GE Lighting 93105377: Illuminate Your Space with Vibrant Full Color! by Jeff Labore

------------- Updated Rating -------------- Changed Rating from 4 Stars to 2 Stars and here's why : After During the initial setup, the two lightbulbs I have independently adjust their connection to my mini Google Nest speakers to work every 4 or 5 days or so. It wasn't the biggest problem as restarting the nest closest to the bulb fixed the issue with the affected bulb and life goes on. However, this was only a taste of the future. On Monday 23rd November both bulbs just stopped communicating with my Nest devices and even after trying all the "fixes" on the GE and Google help pages nothing worked. I gave up that day and tried the same steps a few days later and not only did it not fix the issue, but the Google Home app didn't even see a light to try and connect when a new one device was added (after a factory reset). ). I ended up having to order a pair of C by GE smart plugs to use as hubs/bridges for these lights, set them up in the C by GE app (which I really don't like) and then the required online GE account link (to work). Apps) in Google Home in the app. After all that, it seems to be working again (except when the GE integration server is configured surly), but they still don't work as advertised (using the Nest device directly as a bridge), so I have to say this is all just one workaround. However, after setting everything up in the C by GE app, I found that when it comes to firmware updates, they have multiple versions behind them that the Google Home app doesn't support (firmware updates). However, if you're buying them with the intention of making it easier to set up using Nest devices as a bridge, you might not get that option, at least not now. Hopefully Google and GE will address these issues and actually make it possible to not only use these bulbs directly with Nest and Google Home devices (no additional configuration required), but also understand the service (firmware updates via Google Home). Until then, treat it like any other Google-certified smart lightbulb and expect no more. The rest of my original review for brightness and colors still stands, but the setup and constant connection proved interesting. --------------- Original Review ------- ------ This is my first smart lightbulb ever and my first day using it so bear that in mind See the review from the perspective of a new consumer of technology. Having said that, I have to say that setting it up with Google Home (with a Nest Mini speaker in the same room) was extremely easy. I just screwed in the bulb and turned on the lamp and the Google Home app recognized it immediately. After I followed the steps (just a few), assigned him a room and gave him a name, he then blinked a few times and was ready to go. Impression from day one: The Google Home app has good control over the on/off function. , brightness and 42 preset colors that work with these "full color" bulbs, as well as Google Assistant voice control. I was able to turn it on and off, adjust the brightness, and set colors to preset names using both the app and voice controls, one at a time. I haven't tried creating my own presets with the GE app (if it's even possible to use the GE and Google Home apps together) and I haven't tried any of the scheduling features, so I can't comment on that they still say. I will say that most color modes are a lot less bright than the standard white light color modes, about twice as bright, but for ambient light they seem bright enough. I ran into an issue/bug: I pushed the tech a bit over the edge by quickly switching between the preset colors in the Google Home app and it stopped responding. The lamp would not respond to any app or voice control functions and would get stuck in the last color mode it was getting before it "stuck". I'm not sure if the lightbulb or the Nest Mini was the problem as deleting it from the app and trying to reconfigure it didn't fix the issue. I had to restart the Nest Mini by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in, and then it found the lightbulb again and has been working ever since. Pros: - Very easy setup for those who already have compatible Google Nest or Google Home devices. , no additional hub required. - The control via the Google Home app and the assistant's voice commands are almost perfect. - The default "white light" colors are bright enough to illuminate a medium-sized room. - Other preset colors provide a pleasant "ambiance". want it. Cons: - It's still relatively "new" technology (smart bulbs), so there are bound to be some hiccups. - Most color modes are about half as bright as white light modes. These are not WiFi connected bulbs/devices and require a WiFi controller device for remote control (if not already using Google Home devices). "Still a bit pricey for what they end up being. lightbulb.