The lighting company Lighting Science Group has collaborated with Google to produce an LED light bulb which utilizes Google's newly introduced open-source wireless networking protocol. Using the protocol, the Android LED light bulb will be able to be controlled by any Android device. This new LED light bulb uses built-in radio to receive commands from Android devices via Google's open-source wireless protocol.
The first version will be a 60-watt equivalent LED light bulb which can be turned on, off, or even dimmed by any device using Android such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The new bulb is set to be released in American stores by the end of 2011. Its price point should be comparable to standard
LED light bulbs available from Lighting Science Group, which is to say it will likely be priced somewhere between $20 and $35.
This is one of the first steps toward being able to wirelessly control household electronics and appliances. In years to come we will likely see thermostats, heaters, dehumidifiers (if applicable), and all sorts of other electronics and appliances controllable via smartphones or tablets or even desktop computers. The goal is that such ease of control would contribute to saving energy and increased energy efficiency across the spectrum of household electronics.
Energy savings and increased energy efficiency would certainly go well with Google's environmental commitments and their focus on minimizing energy use. One of the goals of Google's open-source wireless networking protocol is to spur developers to create a base for home automation systems. It remains to be seen if the Google wireless protocol interferes with home Wi-Fi networks, but even if it does it's likely a problem which would be quickly solved.
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