The hacker, “Giannoug”, says he came up with the idea after stumbling upon a new modification called “OpenComputers”, which allows you to add real-life computers into Minecraft. It also allows to add peripherals such as monitors and keyboards, and the ability to communicate with “the real-life internet” into Minecraft. He produced a computer inside his game by using it in combination with a few other mod programs, and then opened a TCP connection that allows the game to communicate with his “unknown, eBay sourced” smart bulb. After creating a new world in Minecraft’s Creative mode, Giannoug built a PC monitor, disk drive and a switch, connecting it all with “redstone”, which is Minecraft’s equivalent of electricity. Giannoug used it to build a lever that turns his real-world lights on and off, when connected through OpenComputers to his Wi-Fi enabled smart bulb. All the instructions have been published by Giannoug on his website, if you want to have a go yourself.
