Linear adds Z-wave lighting products to its wireless residential and commercial offerings-- a benchmark for the company looking to unify wireless lighting control with existing security and access control systems.

Z-Wave-enabled lighting devices from Linear include wall dimmers, wall switches, wall outlets, lamp modules, appliance modules, 3-way switches/dimmers and fixture modules.

Such products fit with offerings from recent Linear acquisition 2GIG Technologies, since the 2GIG GO! Control platform is Z-Wave certified and provides a control panel for lighting, security and access control management.

Z-Wave is an international standard for intelligent, interoperable, low-power, RF mesh networking technology. A smart chip and compact protocol enable 2-way RF communications between Z-Wave enabled devices.

Go Linear

Controversy has expoded around Apple’s new Lightning connector that makes most accessories to one’s older Apple products obsolete. But the frustration of accessory renewal is the fact, not the controversy.

The newest debate claims the new Lightning connector isn’t putting out full 1080p.

If you want a proper 1080p signal from your iPhone or iPad, you’d think the best bet is to plug it in directly using Apple’s ownLightning digital AV adapter. But some industry experts suggest that it is introducing noticeable compression artifacts.

A well-known software developer (writing in an aptly named “Panic Blog”) discovered that using the old Dock Connector AV adapter will output a full 1920 x 1080 video mirroring signal, but the newer Lightning AV adapter tops out at 1600 x 900.

Incredible, right? So the software developer goes hardware nuts and dives into the adapter and finds it is employing the same compression used in AirPlay to stream out the video. That’s his conclusion. Apple’s is…well, they don’t really talk to their customers as much as preach to them…so No Comment.

Lutron showcases its latest blind control solution at ISE 2013-- the wireless RadioRa 2 system, controllable via smartphones, tablets and other web-enabled devices.

The solution consists of a wireless Main Repeater enabling open integration with other systems, as well as the internet. RS232 connectivity allows integration with a number of 3rd party systems, while a built-in timeclock handles blind operation at set events throughout the day.

A 2nd ISE 2013 Lutron announcement is a partnership with window decor supplier Coulisse. Customers get a collection of over 700 fabrics and materials for roller blinds and honeycomb blinds as well as a variety of materials for venetian blinds and pleated fabrics.

Also seen at the show are the HomeWorks QS and EcoSystem lighting control systems, together with a variety of ballasts and drivers such as the Hi-lume A-Series driver and the LowPak Relay load controller.

Go Lutron at ISE 2013

Is plastic key to the next generation of lighting? Scientists at Wake Forest University claim to have developed a type of light bulbs as efficient as LEDs but without any of the drawbacks.

Called FIPEL (Field-Induced Polymer Electrolumeniscent), the technology consists of 3 layers of moldable light-emitting polymer (aka plastic) blended with a small amount of glowing nanomaterials. Once an electric current is applied the system produces a bright white light without the harsh, bluish tint LEDs tend to have

The scientists say the system is "at least twice as efficient" as CFL bulbs and is on par with LEDs. It can also be moulded in any shape (from 2x4-foot sheets to regular bulbs with Edison sockets) and bulbs produced are unbreakable, non-toxic, non-buzzing and long-lasting.

App-controllable light bulbs appear to be the next bright thing. Philips sells one, and so does Insteon. Now Spark Devices suggests an alternative system on Kickstarter-- the Spark Socket.

The Spark Socket is a device customers screw into a regular socket, before screwing in any dimmable bulb. It allows users to control lighting (on, off, dimming) via wifi connection and iOS/Android apps, without the need for new lighting or major wiring.

The system also has a number of additional functions, such as a "sunrise" alarm clock (slowly fading on lighting at a set time), turning on/off all lighting via a single button, or flashing on lights when one receives a new email or text message. For further functionality, wannabe developers can also make use of the RESTful API.

Spark Sockets already exist in working prototype form, and the makers now look for funding (or "preorders," rather) on Kickstarter. One socket costs $60, with shipping estimated to kick off by around July 2013.

Go Spark Socket (Kickstarter)

Philips enters the app-controlled lighting arena with the Hue-- an LED lightbulb with brightness and colour settings controllable via either PC or smartphones.

Each Hue bulb carries 11 LEDs in 3 different colours (red, lime, blue) providing up to 16 million colour combinations. Philips even claims Hue bulbs can even recreate the ultimate in light sources, incandescent lighting. Control comes through app (iOS and Android) or web-based interface on the Philips website.

Users can set individual bulbs with different lighting settings. The app also has "LightRecipes," 4 built-in presets based on "research around the biological effects that lighting has on the body."

The system itself works via hub connecting to router via Ethernet cable. It runs on the ZigBee LightLink protocol and is compatible with other devices running on the standard while using less power than wifi.

Philips also promises a pain-free setup-- screw in the Hue bulbs, plug in the hub and press a button.

The Hue introduction package includes 3 bulbs (enlargable to 50 bulbs), with each bulb providing 600 lumens of brightness.

Go Philips Hue