Last year around this time, I bemoaned the lack of availability in these parts. Soon after, Philips PR told me to wait until Q3 2009, but the summer came and went without the color-changing goodness. It may have taken a little longer than expected, but Philips LivingColors has finally hit the good old U.S.A.

The lamps, which have been available in Europe for years, use LEDs to produce an enormous variety of color lighting to match your mood without films or special bulbs. Jesus Diaz’s review for Gizmodo from a couple of years ago gives you an idea of what to expect.

Amazon.com is carrying both models. The full-sized Philips 818566 LivingColors Translucent Changing LED Lamp with Remote retails for a cool $190, but as of this writing, order fulfillment takes one to three weeks. Disappointing (and a bit spendy) but hopefully the delay is a result of crushing demand.

For instant gratification with some trade-offs, there’s the Philips 818565 LivingColors Mini Changing LED Lamp, which ships immediately and sells for $102 in white or $107 for the stylish black model.

Here’s a link to a good review posted on Amazon, not because of the score — though it’s encouraging — but because it highlights the differences between the U.S. and European/Asian models. Here are two:

1) the faceplate with the bulbs is a bit sturdier and has a few plastic dimples
2) the function which continuously cycles the colors is very gradual v. the rapid-fire changes in the Asian-market lamps

Like the woman in the promotional image above, I too am pleased. Now, which one to buy?