Seems to me that actual white LEDs aren't required for that application, a cluster of R/G/B LEDs would serve the same purpose. And if you did it that way, you could even adjust the tint to simulate either incandescent, flourescent, or outdoor light.

Would that actually work? I thought LEDs only emitted a very narrow frequency range. Even if you can get them to look "white" or "incandescent" when viewed directly (for people with normal colour response in their eyes) you're still going to get pretty weird looking colours when you use it to light a room. Don't most real objects have continuous absorption spectra?

I'd be interested to know how the Phillips gang were planning to overcome this.

Richard