The binary-through-bulbs-API demonstration was, indeed, intriguing. In fact, anAn entire video seminar, in fact, led by Dan Bradley '14, offers step by step instruction, entitled Light Your World (with Hue Bulbs).
"AsAs seen in the first week of lecture, Hue bulbs are light bulbs you can control wirelessly. They can do pretty amazing things, if you know how to program them properly. In this seminar, we’ll create a small JavaScript web app that can turn Hue bulbs on and off as well as change their color. We’ll also more broadly touch on APIs and Ajax calls."
If I had more advanced knowledge, I'd give a deeper synopsis of the video's content, for now i'll. I'll leave it to the more experienced among you to deconstruct the content of the Phillip Hue's API video walkthrough, for now. In essenceThough, thoughin essence, you're writing javascript calls from a web app to connect a HUE's bridge/router API to the Bulbs.
Phillips HUE personal lighting site shows a range of apps by "HUE-loving developers." Comically enough their "where to buy" link is broken, but Apple store carries Philips Hue Connected Bulb - Starter Pack, well.. not cheaply. or Amazon.
Here's a complete list of CS50-2014 seminars.