You can add another thing to the growing list of Siri-controlled home automation devices: Philips Hue.

Royal Philips introduced the Philips Hue Bridge 2.0, the second iteration of its smart home hub that allows users to easily control all the Hue bulbs in your home. The company dubs this square-shaped hub as a future-proof device able to support multiple connected home platforms as well as old and new bulbs and lamps. The Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 is compatible with the Philips Hue app and third-party apps including those with HomeKit support. The old bridge will still continue receiving software upgrades and support.

The new hub also comes integrated with Apple’s HomeKit meaning it seamlessly works with other HomeKit-enabled devices plus the ability to control connected devices using Siri. What this means is, not only will consumers be able to control their lights using Siri, but control other devices simultaneously by creating modes or scenes that automatically controls lights, doors, thermostats – delivering a whole new home automation experience.

“Lighting is the most accessible aspect of the connected home, and as the lighting expert for the Internet of Things we are taking connected lighting to the next phase,” said Eric Rondolat, Chief Executive Officer at Philips Lighting. “By integrating Philips Hue with Apple HomeKit, we are broadening people’s experience of light beyond what has been previously possible, providing seamless interoperability with other connected home devices.”

The new Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 will be available in Europe and North America starting tomorrow, October 6, 2015 at  www.meethue.com.

Philips has recently added new products to its portfolio. Back in August, it introduced the wireless dimming kit, which doesn’t need to be installed or wired to a wall to function. In early September, it introduced the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus which is a strip of light that can be bent, shaped and extended up to 10 meters, which can also be controlled using your mobile device.

The integration of Apple HomeKit means consumers who have these devices, as well as other Hue bulbs and lamps, means that they can use Siri to control them. Controlling Philips Hue products using an Apple device is nothing new. You can use your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to do so, plus earlier this year, when the Apple Watch was launched, Philips Hue was one of the first products supported by the new smartwatch.

This new integration could propel Apple to the top of the home automation market, despite some doubts, some believe Apple’s HomeKit could be the home automation standard of the future.

According to Eduardo Pinheiro, CEO of Muzzley Inc. “HomeKit will be successful because they will create an ecosystem with device manufacturers and software developers around it. iOS 9 makes up part of that ecosystem with Siri.”

Image source: Royal Philips