Electronics projects and kits Stuff I design and build and take apart

Philips redesigns LivingColors, breaks compatibility

Philips has recently introduced a new generation of the LivingColors lamps called "LivingColors 2nd Generation". These lamps are incompatible with existing remotes and the new remotes cannot be used with "old" lamps (as described in the manual on page 3).

This also means kits like the CC2500 Arduino shield can not control the new "LivingColors 2nd Generation".

The exterior and user interface of the LivingColors has not been changed as far as I can see. Internally, a lot has changed.

Instead of the CC2500 + MSP430 combo (shown here) :

Philips has used a CC2530 which is a 8051-alike and a IEEE 802.15.4 RF :

Notes: 2

(you can see the PCB here)

The CC2500 and CC2530 are entirely different devices.