Hue bulb without Hue Bridge?

[Tricky16]

I have just purchased and installed the Almond+.  Sensors attached - peanut plug, door Sensor.

I am new to home automation and have had trouble finding a straight forward answer regarding
the requirements and/or what does and does not work when connecting a Philips Hue bulb.

So far I have read a little about ZHA, ZLL, and bridges. I have purchased a single Philips
Hue (newer) A19 bulb.  When trying to connect the single bulb to the Almond+ it says
"bridge not found".  So it seems I need to pick up a bridge.

I would like to know if I indeed do need a bridge or if the latest firmware supports single
bulbs being connected directly to the Almond+. 

All this is confusing. Any help or information from others who have been down the road of setting up a
single Philips Hue bulb with or without a bridge and what pitfalls to avoid as well as tips, lessons, or personal experience that could help me and hopefully anyone else new to the Almond+.

Thank you, Rich 

[Ashok]

@ Tricky16,

As of now, we would not be able to connect single Phillips Hue bulb to the Almond+ with out the Hue bridge. The process what you are following is to connect the Phillips Hue bridge, upon which the bulbs which are connected to the bridge would be showing up under the Connected sensors and you can access them through LCD or any other UI.

[GiOrso]

is this a feature that got removed? When? I used to be able to add a Philips Hue bulb directly as a sensor (not owning a Philips bridge). Thanks for clarifying.

[Ashok]

@ GiOrso,

is this a feature that got removed? When? I used to be able to add a Philips Hue bulb directly as a sensor (not owning a Philips bridge). Thanks for clarifying.

Officially, we have not added any support for adding the Phillips Hue bulbs directly to the Almond+, most probably, if the bulbs are old they may get joined, but not the newer ones.