The launch of every new LED lighting product or a project is exciting. It’s challenging to stay current with almost daily new product announcements. However, the release of 100W equivalent LED bulbs got me thinking: how truthful are company announcements regarding the release of their product?
For example, Switch made an announcement about the launch of their 100W equivalent LED bulb in 2011. Then there was another announcement about the launch of 100W equivalent in 2012, but when I recently reached out to Switch with the question of when can we finally buy the bulb, I was told to attend Lightfair, in Las Vegas next week, where the entire product family will be introduced. Yet again. The website doesn’t have any information related to sales or technical specifications, either.
Today GE announced the launch of their 100W bulb equivalent, which will be available for mass manufacturing in the first half of 2013 and the price is yet to be announced. Philips also announced the launch of their 100W equivalent. And finally, Lighting Science Groups announced the launch of the prototype for 100W replacement lamp. Sylvania is also in the picture.
These simultaneous announcements seem to be heavy-handed promotion on the eve of Lightfair, but it will be interesting to see who will be the first to actually deliver the final product to the shelf.
