FabianBack in April, I gave you a first preview of the next major update of iConnectHue (App Store link). From today, version 5.5 of the popular app for iPhone and iPad can be downloaded. And of course the new widgets for the home screen and lock screen are part of this update.
The new widgets must be activated for a fee
iConnectHue has been available in the App Store for many years and costs 3.99 euros. Some individual functions that were only integrated into the app at a later date must be paid for separately. This also applies to the new widgets.
If one small and one medium-sized widget is enough for you, you can unlock this function with the 2024 upgrade for a one-off fee of 3.99 euros. Any number of large widgets, on the other hand, are only available with a membership, where you pay at least 9.99 euros per year.
The multi-action element is reserved exclusively for Pro members. This is a widget button with up to four actions, similar to the scene button on the dimmer switch. Pro membership costs 14.99 euros.
I can certainly understand that the developer is willing to pay extra for newly added and certainly complex functions. However, it is a great pity that not all functions of the new widgets are activated with the normal 2024 in-app purchase. So here you are already being pushed a little towards a subscription.
What the widgets in iConnectHue can do
In contrast to Philips Hue, where the widgets can be customized directly on the home screen, in iConnectHue you set everything in the app itself. You can manage the widgets there using the familiar editor and there is even a sync function via the iCloud.
You can not only activate scenes, but also use a combined on/off switch. What I find particularly exciting is that timers can also be activated directly via the widget. This is really handy if you want to slowly lower the light automatically when you go to bed. You can also change colors and brightness or access data from sensors.
This is also new in iConnectHue 5.5
iConnectHue now also offers a better connection to Siri shortcuts. Shortcuts can now be created and edited directly in the Shortcuts app, including suitable lists with the available functions.
There are also some new, exclusive shortcut functions for Pro members:
- Change the brightness of a group
- (De)activate a motion detector, contact sensor
- Switch on a group in 2-hour sun-adapted daylight mode
- Set the color of a group via a color code
All in all, a successful update, especially with significantly more functional widgets than those offered by Philips Hue itself. Unfortunately, the full scope of the update around the widgets is only available for Pro members.
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IMPORTANT: Since some users apparently missed the information we mentioned 3 times in our news, if you have problems with the widgets you should restart the device: If the old widget is missing, or the new widget or the shortcuts are not working:
PLEASE RESTART THE DEVICE! After that the old widget should appear again immediately and the new functions should work. This is a bug in iOS.
So: No, we have not removed the old widget. Please follow the information we provide when updating, if you have any problems please contact us directly first.
If you have any further questions or problems please contact support directly. Thank you very much!