Once set up, can these bulbs just be used like a normal bulb (i.e. using a regular switch?). Will the settings be retained?

Hello Mike, thank you for reaching out. These devices can work as normal lights bulbs however if creating custom schedules it requires the devices to be on at the switch for it to trigger the schedules. Feel free to contact us at 1-844-302-2943 if you have any further questions. -Cync Support