X

Meet Orbnext, the chameleon of the smart home (pictures)

This color-changing cube has Wi-Fi and IFTTT powered smarts built right in.

Ryan_Crist2.jpg
Ryan_Crist2.jpg
Ry Crist
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
Ry Crist
orbnext-10.jpg
1 of 10 Megan Wollerton/CNET

Orbnext

Orbnext is a color-changing LED cube made by Advanced Lumonics, a Colorado-based smart-home start-up. What's this gizmo capable of? Click through to find out.

orbnext-4.jpg
2 of 10 Megan Wollerton/CNET

Frosted glass build

Orbnext is built from frosted glass, giving it a high-end aesthetic.

orbnext-3.jpg
3 of 10 Megan Wollerton/CNET

Power source

You'll keep Orbnext powered with a Micro-USB cable.

orbnext-18.jpg
4 of 10 Megan Wollerton/CNET

Color cycle

You can set the Orbnext to fade through a multicolor cycle, but you can't customize a cycle of your own.

orbnext-app.jpg
5 of 10 Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

App features

The Orbnext app is a bit sparse, but includes a few basic presets. These include color alerts for the weather and the stock market.

orbnext-app-colors.jpg
6 of 10 Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

Color control

You'll also have two modes of color control -- a "Lamp" mode with 12 quick color presets, and a "Palette" mode with a more comprehensive color selector.

orbnext-ifttt-recipe.jpg
7 of 10 Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

IFTTT channel

Orbnext also has its own channel on IFTTT, which is where things get really interesting. With over a hundred other channels capable of triggering Orbnext to change colors, your notification options are quite expansive.

orbnext-13.jpg
8 of 10 Megan Wollerton/CNET

Boss alert

One recipe that I found especially useful: turn the Orbnext red whenever the boss emails.

orbnext-6.jpg
9 of 10 Megan Wollerton/CNET

Social networking

You could also use Orbnext to notify you of things like new Twitter followers or Facebook notifications.

orbnext-11.jpg
10 of 10 Megan Wollerton/CNET

Price

Orbnext is available now, and costs $129. Shipping outside of the US is an additional $35, bringing the total in Australia to roughly AU$185, or right around £100 even in the UK.

More Galleries

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work

21 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos
2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars
conceptss01_440.jpg

2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars

14 Photos