- Jeffrey Goldfarb
GE Smart Bulbs
Smart Bulbs | GE | Technology | AI | B Corp
“I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison founded General Electric, and though its lightbulbs helped catapult the business into one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world, sales have been in steep decline, and the company revealed back in 2017 plans to sell that part of the company.[1]
So far, they have had no success in finding a buyer, but rather than abandoning all hope, they are revisiting their roots and expanding their lightbulb line to include smart switches and full-color LEDs.
Previously, GE’s lights were operational with smart home devices by Google, Amazon, and Apple, but only produced different temperatures of white. Now, it appears they’re making a full commitment to the brand by innovating the device that launched their company at the start of the twentieth century:
“The full color LEDS offer millions of color options, plus tunable whites, which can be controlled by voice, an app or through custom routines and schedules.”[2]
They’re also introducing a line of smart switches which can turn their bulbs into smart bulbs without additional kit purchases.
Teaming up with tech behemoths may be the way to jump start this historic, yet sluggish, division needs. Its C bulbs “were the first to carry Made by Google certification with Home functionality built-in right out of the box.”[3]
Innovating the past is an interesting concept, especially since the past in this case is a product that’s been associated with GE since the very beginning. While GE has found success in larger projects like jet engines and the robotic machinery they display on their commercials, the need to re-invent something many individuals take for granted feels like a natural reversion to their core identity. As developments towards smart homes/smart home technology continues to improve why shouldn’t GE, who helped illuminate our first homes, be a part of the project?
This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein.
[1] https://money.cnn.com/2018/05/22/news/companies/general-electric-light-bulb-sale/index.html
[2] https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/03/ge-color-lightbulbs-made-for-google/
[3] https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/03/ge-adds-a-bunch-of-google-assistant-friendly-smart-home-products/
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