Ikea is to sell smart lightbulbs that can be controlled without getting out of your seat

If getting up to dim or turn off the lights is a chore too far, you will soon be able to do it from the comfort of your seat. Flat-packed furniture giant Ikea has announced it is to release a range of smart light bulbs that can be controlled wirelessly using a remote control. The move promises to take smart lighting, which until now has largely confined to expensive high-end products, into the mainstream. A number of manufacturers already sell lighting systems that link to a central hub and the internet and can be controlled through a smartphone app. Apple is reportedly developing its own device similar to the Amazon Echo, which is said to have left the research and development lab and is now being tested as a prototype.