This article applies to CFLs, not LEDs. The energy saved and the efficiency is incredible compared to incandescents and CFLs. The control circuitry has only improved so the longevity has as well, far beyond that of incandescent and especially CFLs.
I’ve seen those flickering yellow gas light looking LEDs on outside lights. If that can be done, anything can be with LEDs. If you go real cheap, you’re probably not going to like the light that comes from them. But they have been continually improving and are definitely better than incandescents, unless you want to melt snow off of your outside light fixture…
Let me add with all that said, the government should have still stayed the hell out of it and let the market and people make their own decisions.