How many Androids does it take to change a light bulb?

One. But it has to be the right kind of Android. And the right kind of bulb

Really, really, really wanna Zig-a-zigbee

Belkin tells me that this is a known issue, and a fix is in the works. In the meantime, selecting to use the network "as is" may help. When the WeMo lighting is working, it does pretty much what you'd expect – it lights up, and turns off and on. And dims. You can also link with IFTTT, or schedule the lights to work around sunrise, sunset, and so on.

WeMo app smart bulbs search and timer control functions

The app feels a bit sluggish, and has some rough edges too. Setting up a sunset timer prompts that I have to tell them my location. When I tapped to confirm, I expected the app to work that out. I was then confused when trying to save the rule just resulted in the app hanging. Then I found a settings option, where I could type the location name, 1990s style. Do that first, and then save it, and the rule can be set up.

So, overall, I can say WeMo works, for sure, and has potential to do neat things thanks to IFTTT integration. But at £80 for a two bulb starter set, and another £25 for each bulb after that it's a bit steep.

According to the spec sheet, the lamps communicate with the hub using the Zigbee protocol. That means that they're effectively the same thing as the GE Link bulbs, currently available in the US for $14.97, or under $50 for a starter kit with controller. Even with VAT added, that's still under £40.

Belkin WeMo LED lighting starter kit

In fact, it's not just the GE Link and WeMo bulbs that use Zigbee; so too does Philips Hue, and various other third-party bulbs that are more readily available in the US. There are – aren’t there always! – some interoperability problems between different brands, but it is possible to link, for example, a GE bulb to a Hue controller.

Of course, as I mentioned before, groups like the UPnP forum are working on specs for the Internet of Things, but when bulbs that claim to support the same command protocol aren't necessarily compatible, I think we may be in for an uphill struggle.

You thought it was annoying when you accidentally bought a screw fitting instead of a bayonet cap? You ain't seen nothing yet. ®