Lutron launches HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge

Lutron's Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit includes the HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge: It, combined with wireless Lutron lights, lets you control a specific lamp, an entire room, or your whole house. As such, you can make sure the light in the kitchen is off — or all your lights are off — even if you're not in those rooms. Caséta Wireless can also control the Lutron Serena remote-controlled shades along with select thermostats.

Matt Swatsky, Director of Product Management at Lutron:

As the global leader in lighting control, Lutron is proud to be among the first to have its HomeKit-enabled product available to homeowners. Support for HomeKit expands the convenience of Caséta Wireless, making it easier than ever for people to control their lights.

Lutron's Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge is available at the Apple Store starting June 2. Also available online from Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, and Staples, and in-store at Home Depot and Magnolia Design Centers.

iMore has put together a full HomeKit explainer for those interested in the technical details, as well as a HomeKit FAQ to answer all the most common questions.

Full press release below.

Lutron Announces Availability of Apple HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge

Smart Bridge Provides Remote Control of Lights Using Siri, Adding Convenience and Simplicity to Everyday Life

Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit, including Smart Bridge, Available Now at Apple Stores

Coopersburg, PA (embargoed until 8:30am EST, June 2, 2015) – Lutron Electronics is pleased to announce its new Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge supports Apple's HomeKit. The Smart Bridge is part of the Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit, available at the Apple Store® beginning today. With the HomeKit-enabled Smart Bridge, homeowners can now control their Lutron Caséta Wireless dimmers using Siri on their iPhone® or iPad®.

The Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge with HomeKit support allows homeowners to control lights in specific rooms or areas. For example, just before bed, tell Siri "turn the lights off" and the Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge will turn off lights throughout the house. Unsure if the basement light is still on? Ask Siri to check and if so, turn it off.

Lutron launched the Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge and dimmers in 2014 as a quick and easy way to transform the look of a home. This affordable new solution let users control lights from anywhere inside or outside the home (even while on vacation) using a smart device, enhancing home and personal safety and creating peace of mind. Caséta Wireless also controls Lutron Serena® remote-controlled shades and select thermostats, some of the most used items in the home.

"As the global leader in lighting control, Lutron is proud to be among the first to have its HomeKit-enabled product available to homeowners," said Matt Swatsky, Lutron's Director of Product Management. "Support for HomeKit expands the convenience of Caséta Wireless, making it easier than ever for people to control their lights."

Caséta Wireless was designed to simplify a person's life. Homeowners can dim the lights and lower the shades from the comfort of their couch, or turn select lights on while on the road to make it look like someone's home. Even scheduling lights to turn on automatically is easy. Simply set the Lutron App for a time of day or sunrise/sunset event.

Caséta Wireless can also be set to recognize a user's location automatically. Through geofencing, lights will automatically be turned on as you approach your home so that you never come home to a dark house.

The Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit, with HomeKit-enabled Smart Bridge, is available for $229.95 at Apple Stores. The kit includes one Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge, two Caséta Wireless dimmers (compatible with dimmable LED, halogen, and incandescent bulbs), two remotes and two pedestals. To add more lights, purchase the Caséta Wireless dimmer/remote kits, also available at Apple Stores, for $59.95.

Lutron Serena shades are remote-controlled and move at the touch of a button. They are completely wireless, allowing for simple installation, and the batteries last for 3-5 years on roller shades and 2-4 years on honeycomb shades. Serena shades are available in a wide variety of colors and textures, with options for every style of decor.

The free Lutron App for Caséta Wireless can be downloaded from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Visit www.casetawireless.com for more information.

In addition to the Apple Store®, Caséta Wireless products are available at online resellers, lighting showrooms, electrical distributors, and from local audio video professionals and electrical contractors. Serena shades are available at SerenaShades.com, Home Depot and Lowes, and from local window treatment professionals (can be found on Lutron.com).

Visit the Lutron LED Control Center of Excellence for more information about compatible bulbs.

About Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com)

Founded in 1961, Lutron Electronics is headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Lehigh Valley. From dimmers for the home, to lighting management systems for entire buildings, the company offers more than 17,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries around the world. In the US alone, Lutron products save an estimated 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. The company's early inventions—including the first solid-state dimmer invented by Lutron's founder, Joel Spira—are now at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

Rene Ritchie
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Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.