Govee takes on Philips with Matter-compatible ceiling light that mimics a skylight
Govee unveiled the Sky Ceiling Light at IFA, a Matter-enabled fixture that changes color with time, weather and mood, undercutting Philips' similar device.
The light can automatically adjust to match time and weather, making it useful for rooms without natural light, and can prioritize a sky-blue spectrum when concentration is needed, which TechRadar notes is handy for people working from home.
The new product is Matter-compatible, so it can integrate with other smart home devices, and carries a list price of $399.99. By comparison, Philips introduced a skylight-style ceiling lamp earlier this year for €499.99, but that device is operated only via a physical remote and lacks true smart home integration, TechRadar reported.
The Philips lamp has additional features, including an integrated UV-B module intended to support the body's natural vitamin D production and an IP44 rating that allows bathroom installation. Its rectangular shape also may resemble a real skylight more closely, particularly in traditionally styled homes.
TechRadar said smart skylights could become increasingly popular in coming years, especially for small homes, and suggested that a Philips Hue version of the skylight might appear within the next year, since Philips and Hue are both under the same parent company, Signify.