The next generation of technology ... What is it?

I guess you can, but you will lose all of the 'smart' features. Once you have turned the light off with the existing switch, the power is interrupted and you can't control the light until the switch is turned back on - If you want to retain the web control you need to leave it turned 'on' all the time and only control it with the iPhone. I can't find a manual, so it is possible they have implemented a feature where turning the power off/on quickly could toggle the light on/off, but sooner or later someone will forget and leave the power off.

Still, they are pretty cool for a retro-fit in specific situations, say a home theatre

At its most basic, C-Bus has output units - relays that switch circuits on/off, dimmers that dim and some special purpose units like ceiling fan and shutter/blind controllers. It also has input units - press buttons, movement sensors, light sensors.

Each circuit on an output unit is assigned a group number. These group numbers are then programmed onto the input units. When an input unit changes the level of a group the output units follow - so if an input sets a level of 50% then the output units that have that group go to 50%. You can also set the group levels from external sources - phone applets, web pages etc.

Finally, the units are connected together with low voltage cable (the bus), so there is no physical relationship between a circuit and the inputs that control it - it is all set through the unit programming.

I will agree that the logic programming could be friendlier - there is definitely a learning curve.

Even without logic programming you can achieve quite a bit -

• I have occupancy sensors in the kid's rooms - if the room is empty the light switches off. I can override this from my iPhone/iPad from anywhere I have 3G coverage
• Several inputs are configured as timers - bathroom heaters & lights, movement sensors in the linen cupboard and pantry
• When my alarm is armed, all lights are turned off. When the alarm disarms the lights come back on
• If the alarm goes off, lights can turn on
• One press of a button can select a 'scene' of several different lights at different levels
• There is an IR controlled button in the lounge, so the universal remote can select a scene
• I can control lights, fans etc from anywhere in the world where I have an Internet connection

You also get a lot of flexibility from breaking the physical link between the circuit and the switch -

• There are 6 switches that control the lights in my hallway - you could do this with traditional switches, but it is more complicated wiring
• I have three way switching of some outside lights - the switches are up to 15m apart. Again you could do this with traditional wiring, but it takes a lot more copper wiring
• You can change the function of a switch with a bit of software reconfiguration - I annoyed my family a bit by reprogramming the switches a few times when we first moved in as we worked out what worked best

It is this that I think is the most important bit of lighting control -whether it is LIFX, C-Bus, KNX, ZWave or anything else - once software provides the link between input and output, you get a lot of flexibility. I think the programming will get easier; there is a lot of effort going into cloud services to provide automation at the moment

Thank you!!!

Now why can't clipsal have an explanation like that on their webpages instead of marketing waffle? *grumble* With pretty much all the other aspects of my build, I have a good enough grasp of the possible to be able to go into appointments and explain what I want - and know how it fits into the rest of my plans. With cbus, I'm struggling. Basic principle of projects - identify the desired end result before you start. And damn but clipsal make that hard to do without talking to an expert in person!

HD

It seems interesting. If the price is reasonable it will become popular. Led is the trend and app is funny

Here is our LifX globe at work in our stair well. We will also be adding 4 to our chandelier.

I think the big thing to remember here is that this light is just a single independent system that doesn't offer any true smart integration.

Now if they were able to be controlled by z-wave etc then that would be something else.

I would look at all options and think that it is still a little bit gimmicky rather than real world cool. Exception to that is if you need to have lights changing colour

we're using the light like a mood ring.

Automated lights is more for convenience these days then energy management. With 6 star rated homes becoming the norm and the flood of LED globes running at around 7-12w, there isn't much power consumption.
A better alternative is to work out which lights you would liked controlled, ie. driveway, outside, hallway and maybe entertained lights, than control only those ones with a system that allows total integration to your alarm and other systems without compromising the style of switches.
Some systems that allow this is ZWave. I know that Automafion Distributors Australia sell a version of ZWave that allows dimming functionality of a standard switch mechanism and also integrates into the Leviton automation/alarm panel, giving you control over security, access, temperature, music and more. Also buy limiting the number of lights being controlled, it will free up more of your budget to be spent somewhere else.

My lighting right now from outside the house

Looks great.

I was lucky enough to see LIFX globes in action at a customers house and I have to tell you I am even more impressed in real life ... I know they are not truly smart but they work so well!

I love them.