Philips to replace bricked Hue Bridge Pro devices

Philips is replacing Hue Bridge Pro devices after a software update left several units bricked with no way for users to restore them. Rumblings began in forums in June after a seemingly innocuous update left users, quite literally, in the dark. After a few weeks attempting to resolve the issues, Philips has thrown in the towel and said it will replace affected devices. A spokesperson told The Register, "We have identified a firmware issue affecting a limited number of Philips Hue Bridge Pro devices under a very specific software update scenario. Our data shows that fewer than 100 devices have been impacted." As for the problem itself, "The issue can occur when a Bridge Pro with automatic software updates disabled has remained on an older software version for an extended period, and a software update is then manually installed under a specific set of conditions. "In affected cases, the Bridge Pro can become inoperable and display a red LED, resulting in a loss of connectivity with the Philips Hue app and connected devices." The spokesperson told us that affected users should contact the company's customer support: "All Bridge Pro devices confirmed to have been impacted by this specific issue will be replaced free of charge, regardless of warranty status." Which is great, except that if you have to set up a network of lights and devices again from scratch, that's a substantial amount of work. Backing up a configuration isn't an option at the moment. The Hue Bridge Pro is a hub for the Philips Hue lighting system. It can support more than 150 lights and over 50 accessories. According to Philips, "Equipped with a new chip capable of running complex algorithms and AI-powered features, it's faster and stronger than ever." Except, it appears, when Philips emits an update that bricks some of them. The incident highlights the risks associated with smart homes and their devices. Support could be abruptly pulled, the device's origin might not be what you expect, or, as in the case of the Philips Hue Bridge Pro, a firmware update could leave a device hopelessly bricked. Philips should be commended for its replacement plan, particularly when a device is out of warranty, although questions remain about its validation and qualification procedures. As for the device itself, Philips released an update on Monday to address the issue (where devices haven't been bricked) and urged users to enable automatic updates to receive the firmware update as it rolls out. (R)