FabianIn addition to the criticism around the widgets, one thing can be read again and again in reviews and comments around the new Philips Hue app: users would like to see the timer function back. Shortly after the launch of the new app, already more than one and a half months ago, Philips Hue promised to bring back the functionality with a future update.
When exactly this will happen is still completely open. Since the update for the dynamic scenes is supposed to be released this summer and Philips Hue is planning to launch new hardware shortly afterwards, I wouldn’t be surprised if we have to wait a little longer for the timer. But luckily there are alternatives.
If you can’t do without the timer and control your smart light with your iPhone and iPad, then it’s worth taking a look at iConnectHue. The desired function is still available there. You will find it in the respective room view directly above the room name. But be careful: In iConnectHue, the timer is not called Timer (that is the automation there), but Sleep Timer.
The sleep timer in a room applies to all lamps activated at the start and runs for a minimum of one minute and a maximum of 120 minutes. You can also select how the lights are to be dimmed when the timer expires: At the end, the last 3 or 6 minutes or already from the beginning of the timer. The Reminder and Fade functions can also be accessed via this menu.
Will it soon be even easier with Siri?
If you are at home in the Apple world, it could become even easier in the future. With iOS 15, it will be possible to include primal times in the voice command. So for example: Hey Siri, turn off the lights in the bedroom at 10:34 pm”. It is also conceivable that Apple will release further voice commands with which HomeKit devices can be switched off “in 15 minutes”, for example.
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