first generation bridge no longer supports Google Assistant

June 22, 2020

As expected, support for the first generation of the Philips Hue bridge is deteriorating and losing a new function: Google’s voice assistant. Now, the only way to control health home automation products smart health connected with this bridge is to go through Alexa… or to change the bridge. Which implies an additional investment.

Three months ago, we reported in our columns that Philips has discontinued technical support for the first generation Hue bridge. Concretely, Philips stops developing updates for this product. This means that the new services will not be compatible and that old services will be phased out.

It has already started with the remote control of the smart health connected bulbs. The first generation bridge is no longer able to connect to the Internet, it is now necessary to be smart health connected to WiFi on the same network as the bridge to turn on, off or change the color of a bulb. This now continues with another function: voice control of products managed by the first generation bridge through Google Assistant.

As of today, the Hue Bridge smartphone app is no longer compatible with Google’s voice assistant. The latter issued numerous reminders confirming the date from which the service would no longer be provided. Today is Monday 22 June. Note however that Amazon assistant Alexa continues to be compatible. It is therefore always possible to control by voice the accessories smart health connected to the bridge.

Otherwise, you can always change the deck

The owners of the first generation bridge will gradually continue to see their experience deteriorate. Philips advises them to invest in their successor. According to the brand, this second generation bridge, " future proof Will not suffer the same fate.

The termination of connectivity, technical support and compatibility with certain services is a glaring example of planned obsolescence: the device is still working, but service providers are choosing to degrade the experience. The French government is working on a law dedicated to the circular economy where each device could be marked with a sustainability index, proving that it is functional over time, thanks to its construction and maintenance.

Source: Reviewgeek