{"id":9892,"date":"2019-10-28T14:15:30","date_gmt":"2019-10-28T03:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/?p=9892"},"modified":"2019-10-28T13:16:27","modified_gmt":"2019-10-28T02:16:27","slug":"smart-light-review-lifx-tile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/reviews\/smart-light-review-lifx-tile\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Light Review: Lifx Tile"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Part of what is becoming quite an extensive range of products, the Tile Set is one of the latest offerings from brand LIFX, whose range encompasses nearly everything from globes and downlights to beam lights and LED strip lighting. This minimalistic yet versatile set of 5 tiles gives you the ability to create a feature simply using your wall as the canvas, setting it up in a configuration that is aesthetically pleasing and allowing you to really bring the mood out in the room.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LIFX Tile\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_cc-xvBTkNk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"getting-set-up\">Getting set up<\/h2>\n<p>Setup out of the box is pretty straightforward, and outlined on the welcome card as you unpack everything. In the box you\u2019ll find five tiles, a power adapter with a longer cable, and five shorter cables to connect the tiles. You\u2019ll need the LIFX app before you proceed to set them up; the tiles connect to your wifi once the information is set through your phone, and from there they\u2019ll be permanently connected unless you unpair them. Setup is a tad tedious \u2013 making sure the cables are inserted fully will ensure the tiles are connected, otherwise you may end up with multiple tile inputs like I did the first time around.<\/p>\n<p>Each tile connector cable is ~40cm long and quite rigid \u2013 and while each tile has channelling on the back to arrange the cables, the cable management exercise becomes quite tedious. Nobody wants a feature wall with cables going everywhere, but unless you\u2019ve got a significant amount of patience or time, your setup results may vary. I wasn\u2019t too fussed with the layout or the cables being visible; however, I did have to adjust the pattern so that the cables weren\u2019t jutting out awkwardly.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, ensuring the lights are the right way up is something you\u2019ll want to prioritize \u2013 tile effects can be ruined if these aren\u2019t the correct way.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9894\" src=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner-1024x483.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner-770x363.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner-380x179.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner-800x377.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124057\/LIFX-LAYOUT-reckoner-1160x547.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"fancy-features\">Fancy Features<\/h2>\n<p>The app is definitely marketed towards having your whole household with LIFX lights set up \u2013 you can connect multiple sets and designate where in the house they are. I hooked mine up in my bedroom, and named it \u201cBrighty\u201d (laugh all you want, I thought I was naming them individually). The integrated connectivity with Siri and Apple\u2019s HomeKit as well as Google Assistant and pretty much all the others is extremely welcoming too.Scrolling through the app, the first thing you\u2019ll likely do is sit there having fun with the array of colours you can set under the \u201cColours\u201d tab. LIFX boasts that there are trillions of colour combinations you can set, and with \u201cPolychrome Technology \u2013 64 addressable zones per tile\u201d, there is a magnitude of patterns, designs and colour schemes you can come up with. Playing around with the solid colour gradients as well as the white-balanced options is a great way to initiate yourself with what these tiles can do.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9899\" src=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner-1024x701.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner-770x527.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner-380x260.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner-800x548.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124053\/LIFX3-reckoner-1160x795.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The \u201cCreate\u201d tab is where things get a little more entertaining. With \u201cThemes\u201d and \u201cColours\u201d sections, there are a heap of options you can play around with \u2013 for instance with \u201cThemes\u201d, you can add moods to your room or wall with a tap of a button \u2013 which highlights the addressable zones on the tiles. The \u2018Blend\u2019 option adds swirling patches and patterns of colour in the preset themes, whereas the \u2018Solid\u2019 option has one pure colour per tile. Especially great if you want something really vibrant and vivid such as a mix of blues and whites to start your day, or if you are feeling especially spooky and want a Halloween theme. The \u201cColours\u201d section allows you to choose individual colours per tile, or even paint your own with your finger or a stylus.<\/p>\n[wp_ad_camp_4]\n<p>The \u201cEffects\u201d tab is probably the most fun, though I feel it could benefit from more diversity. My favourite feature was the \u2018FIRE\u2019 effect, which basically does as advertised \u2013 imitate a crackling fire, really changing the mood of the room. The \u2018MUSIC VISUALISER\u2019 effect worked to a degree, but it used the microphone of my device to function, instead of integrating with my audio app (in this case, Spotify). \u2018MORPH\u2019 gives you a lava lamp-esque colour variation feature, while things like \u2018PASTELS\u2019 would scroll through pastel colours, and \u2018SPOOKY\u2019 would flicker at intervals to add a creepy vibe. \u2018STROBE\u2019 is only functional if you hold the option down, but let\u2019s face it \u2013 who is going to want a permanent strobe light on?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9898\" src=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner-1024x701.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner-770x527.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner-380x260.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner-800x548.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124054\/LIFX2-reckoner-1160x795.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The \u201cDay &amp; Dusk\u201d tab functions as a timed ambient lighting feature. Beneficial for those who like a bit of routine, the feature suggests it wants to \u2018automate your life\u2019 by shifting white temperatures and brightness to suit the day. Great as a set and forget feature, but only really helpful for routines.<\/p>\n<p>The one really cool feature that is hidden away in the settings of the tiles themselves is the \u201cTile Tap\u201d function. This allows you to turn them on and off with a simple double-tap on ANY tile, and to scroll through three pre-set features with a single tap. I cannot understate the usefulness of this \u2013 instead of having to get my phone out every time, all I had to do was tap one of the tiles to switch them on and off.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9895\" src=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner-1024x755.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner-770x568.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner-380x280.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner-800x590.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124056\/LIFX_Tile_-_What_s_included_1800x1800-copy-reckoner-1160x856.jpg 1160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"not-so-bright\">Not so bright<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s a fair few drawbacks to these tiles though \u2013 the cabling issue is one that I\u2019ve already outlined, but a few gripes came about throughout the use. The app itself has a mind of its own sometimes, and your current layout may change if you go in to lower the brightness or change the pattern. Additionally, the app can be finnicky and fiddly when trying to get certain functions to work, and you might end up turning the tiles on and off a few times before you get your desired outcome.<\/p>\n<p>The other annoyance is purely decorative \u2013 these things are DUST MAGNETS! Even after a simple set-up, I had already noticed the amount of dust these things had picked up, so be prepared to clean them a lot if you live in a dusty or carpeted environment.<br \/>\nResetting patterns will require you to buy new Command sticky pads as well, and while the box comes with a few extras, it won\u2019t be enough to redesign your whole wall.<\/p>\n<p>The last thing is, don\u2019t buy multiple Tile kits unless you plan on setting each one up individually \u2013 your maximum amount of tiles per setup is 5; any more and you won\u2019t be able to connect them.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>The LIFX Tile Set is on the verge of being a great home device. Despite a finnicky setup and an app that could use some work, the set is a pretty nifty novelty that epitomises tech that will only get better as it develops. With a significant selection of options and setups to fit your living space, people will likely be wowed by what it can do \u2013 but the real excitement is waiting to see what will come with future app updates and firmwares.<\/p>\n[P_REVIEW post_id=9892 visual=&#8217;full&#8217;]\n<div class=\"lets-review-block__wrap lets-review-block__wrap-10 lr-cf lets-review-wrap-9892 lets-review--center lets-review-skin-1 lets-review-design-1 lets-review-ani-1 lets-review-score-type-2 lets-review-score-type__bar conclusion__off\" data-design=\"1\" data-score-type=\"2\" data-skin=\"1\"><div class=\"lets-review-block lets-review-block__main-title lr-vc lets-review-block__pad\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__mask lr-vc\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-770x770.jpg 770w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-110x110.jpg 110w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-380x380.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__title lr-font-h\" style=\"\">Lifx Tile Set (5 panels)<\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block lets-review-block__crits lets-review-unseen\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit\" data-score=\"600\" data-crit=\"0\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__title lr-font-h\" style=\"\">Design<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__score\">10<\/div><div class=\"score-overlay-wrap score-overlay-wrap__bar\"><div class=\"score-overlay\" style=\"width:100%;background:#e9725e;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit\" data-score=\"700\" data-crit=\"1\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__title lr-font-h\" style=\"\">Features<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__score\">10<\/div><div class=\"score-overlay-wrap score-overlay-wrap__bar\"><div class=\"score-overlay\" style=\"width:100%;background:#e9725e;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit\" data-score=\"700\" data-crit=\"2\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__title lr-font-h\" style=\"\">Performance<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__score\">10<\/div><div class=\"score-overlay-wrap score-overlay-wrap__bar\"><div class=\"score-overlay\" style=\"width:100%;background:#e9725e;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__user_rating with__uid\" data-uid=\"9892\" data-is-pid=\"true\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit lr-tip lr-user__rating\" data-title=\"Your Rating\" data-width-dir=\"l\" data-score-a=\"0\" data-score-b=\"0\" data-score-c=\"0\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__title lr-font-h\" style=\"\">Reader Rating<span class=\"vote__count\">0 Votes<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__crit__score\">0<\/div><div class=\"score-overlay-wrap score-overlay-wrap__bar\"><div class=\"score-overlay\" style=\"width:0%;background:#e9725e;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block lets-review-block__proscons lets-review-block__pad\"><div class=\"lets-review-block__pros\"><div class=\"proscons__title lets-review-block__title lr-font-h\" style=\"\">Pros<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__procon lets-review-block__pro\">Great mood lighting<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__procon lets-review-block__pro\">Customisable configurations<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__procon lets-review-block__pro\">Tap touch operation<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__procon lets-review-block__pro\">Smart home integration<\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__cons\"><div class=\"proscons__title lets-review-block__title lr-font-h\" style=\"\">Cons<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__procon lets-review-block__con\">Annoying setup<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__procon lets-review-block__con\">App needs improvement<\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block__procon lets-review-block__con\">Some connectivity issues<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block lets-review-block__final-score lets-review-block__final-score-type-2 lets-review-block__pad score-level-6\"><div class=\"score__wrap lr-all-c\" style=\"background:#e9725e; color: #fff\"><div class=\"score\">6.6<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lets-review-block lets-review-block__aff lets-review-block__pad\"><div class=\"aff-button-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifx.com.au\/collections\/light-panels\/products\/lifx-tile\" class=\"aff-button lr-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"button-title\">Buy Now<\/span><div class=\"i-wrap\" style=\"background:#e9725e\"><i class=\"fas fa-shopping-cart\"><\/i><i class=\"fas fa-long-arrow-alt-right\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t\t\t\"name\": \"Lifx Tile Set (5 panels)\",\"image\": [\n\t\t\t\t\"https:\/\/media.reckoner.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/27124058\/LIFX_Tile_img1_b186bf1f-3af6-4037-9954-9859473af506_900x.jpg\"\n\t\t\t],\"review\": {\n\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Review\",\n\t\t\t\t\"reviewRating\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Rating\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"worstRating\": \"0\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"ratingValue\": \"6.6\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"bestRating\": \"10\"\n\t\t\t\t},\n\t\t\t\t\"author\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"Matthew Zimmari\"\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}}<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Part of what is becoming quite an extensive range of products, the Tile Set is one of the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":9900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"Now that is some next level mood lighting!","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[11,2],"tags":[941,1450],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"reckoner_social_message":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9892"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9892"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9905,"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9892\/revisions\/9905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}