[notatoad]

I have some GE smart lightbulbs and i've never needed to reset them. People seem eager to mock this, but i don't see the problem. it's a (hopefully) rarely used procedure that you wouldn't want to be accidentally triggered, on an item that's very price sensitive. A physical reset button would significantly add to the cost of a part that sells for <$15.

If anything, be happy that GE has not only engineered a reset procedure, but they also publish it. The most likely alternative to this is not a button but rather no published reset at all, and just call the part disposable.

[shakna]

However, they recognised the complexity of the reset process, and that customers may have a more-significant-than-none need for a reset. (A simple example that occurred to me: Lost/destroyed phone).

This video was the result.

A professionally filmed video, even with low needs such as this one, also come with significant costs, as well as the PR fallout when people realise it's absurdly complicated compared to pressing a button with a toothpick. (As well as the support fielding they may have to end up doing).

The BOM cost of the hardware in the bulb is closely accounted for in most products like this, but it seems the cost savings on the BOM weren't accounted for elsewhere.

[jarfil]

A surface mounted switch and a tiny hole in the casing would be easy and cheap... but it would ruin waterproofing, which would make the bulb unsuitable for places like a bathroom. That's probably too big of a market to lose just to simplify a reset procedure that will rarely be used.

[kalleboo]

The hole method become a problem when your only fixtures are embedded/in the ceiling and you can’t reach it.

Some people will end up using a metal hairpin... next to an live, exposed Edison socket

Some LED lights also get quite warm

[awinder]

I originally bought these because you used to be able to pair them with the hue, but Phillips did some firmware update nonsense where it’s technically possible but you need to repair on power interruptions. So I became very aware of this procedure, until I tired of it and now use the bulbs as “dumb bulbs”