Save big now! Microsoft has Surface Laptop 3 discounted by $400

  • Forums
  • Shop
  • Best Laptops
  • Best Graphics Cards
  • Best Motherboards
  • Best Antivirus
  • Best VPN
  • Dell XPS 13 Deals
  • PC Parts Deals

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Sync it up

Philips' Hue Sync app makes your lights a part of your movies, music, and games

It's time to make a light show out of your entertainment.
Dan Thorp-Lancaster
31 May 2018

Philips' Hue Sync app makes your lights a part of your movies, music, and games

Philips' Hue lights, while expensive, are already some of the most versatile out there. But Philips is taking things up a notch with its new desktop app, Hue Sync.

The goal of the app is to make your Hue lights a part of the entertainment experience on your PC. When you fire it up, Hue Sync will automatically create "lightscripts" based on the content you're watching, listening to, or playing. The result is that your Hue lights should light up and respond to whatever you happen to be doing on screen at any given time.

For movies and games, this translates to an experience where your lights will grab the color of whatever is going on on-screen and match it. For music, Hue Sync assesses the beat and the type of song you're listening to and runs a script for matching dynamic effects around your room. Think of it as a modern version of Windows Media Player's old visual effects, but surrounding you.

Philips Hue Sync is here! Sync your lights to movies, music and games. Learn more about our free desktop app at https://t.co/YyVpjOmGon #PhilipsHue #HueSync #HueEntertainment pic.twitter.com/X2ovwC4SHL

— Meet hue (@tweethue) May 31, 2018

While Philips says that Hue Sync will work automatically for the most part, there are still some manual controls here as well. You can control the brightness level, along with preset mode changes that force Hue Sync to respond based on what you're watching, playing, or listening to. There's also an immersion control through which you can adjust the intensity of any effects.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

If you already have a house (or room) full of Hue bulbs, you can download the Hue Sync desktop app for Windows now to get started for free. And if you're looking to get started with Hue, a starter kit, which includes four of the color bulbs and the bridge, is currently available for $195. That's definitely on the expensive side, but Philips often runs promotions and holiday sales that cut the price significantly.

  • See Hue Sync at Philips
  • See at Amazon

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Review: Acer's TC-895 desktop PC offers some of the best value around
On a budget

Review: Acer's TC-895 desktop PC offers some of the best value around

Need an affordable PC to use around the house for media or productivity? You could do a lot worse than the Acer Aspire TC-895. We dig in to see what it's all about.

Edge Canary for Android is here with unified code from Edge desktop
worlds colliding

Edge Canary for Android is here with unified code from Edge desktop

A new version of Microsoft Edge's browser is available on the Google Play Store. Dubbed Microsoft Edge Canary, this version is the first to unify Edge's underlying code with the desktop version of the browser. With it is a new UI change, new features, and improved performance. Here is where to get it.

Here's every major video game event in 2021 that we know of so far
More to come

Here's every major video game event in 2021 that we know of so far

The global pandemic means in-person events aren't happening and games are being delayed but that doesn't mean there aren't events happening. Here's a list of gaming events in 2021 — that we know of so far.

These tools will help you keep your PC's drivers updated
shut up and drive

These tools will help you keep your PC's drivers updated

Windows 10 does a good job of updating your PC's drivers, but third-party tools can help you clean up and optimize your system. Here are the best tools to keep your Windows 10 PC's drivers up to date.

Keep in Touch

Sign up now to get the latest news, deals & more from Windows Central!

I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands.

I would like to receive mail from Future partners.

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.

  • Apps
  • Philips Hue
  • Windows 10
  • Laptops
  • Surface
  • Reviews
  • Gaming & Xbox
  • How To
  • Forums
  • Deals
  • PC Components

Other Categories

  • About Us
  • Licensing and Reprints
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Windows Central Merch
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Android Central
  • iMore
  • CrackBerry
  • Thrifter
  • TechnoBuffalo
  • MrMobile
Log in or Sign up
  • t
  • f
  • p
  • i
  • r

Brightness

  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement