Yesterday evening, Apple gave a preview of the upcoming updates for its operating systems at its own developer conference WWDC. This naturally included iOS 18 for the iPhone and iPadOS 18 for Apple tablets. Some of the innovations presented could also be interesting for Philips Hue. For example, there is a major update for the Control Center.
Back 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.
Just a few weeks ago, Philips Hue integrated a long-awaited function into its iOS app: Widgets for the homescreen. This allows scenes to be activated and rooms to be switched on or off without opening the Philips Hue app. Widgets will soon also be available in another very popular app: iConnectHue (App Store link) for iPhone and iPad.
While you previously had to take a diversion via the Siri shortcuts and had to make noticeable compromises in terms of design, native widgets have finally been available in the Philips Hue app since the update to version 5.14. This allows you to activate scenes from the home screen or lock screen and switch entire rooms or zones on and off.
If you want your lights to light up rhythmically to music, you can do this directly in the Hue app. However, Hue Sync only supports Spotify, no other sources. If you prefer to listen to your music with Apple Music, the classic CD or another streaming service, then the Discotainment mode in iConnectHue (App Store link) could be something for you.
Almost a month ago, iOS 17 was launched and Apple finally allows interactive widgets on the home screen. In a nutshell, this means that actions can now be performed in widgets without having to open the corresponding app. This is exactly why Philips Hue removed widgets from the iPhone and iPad a few years ago and has not yet presented a new solution.
If you use an iPhone or iPad, the paid application iConnectHue (App Store link) is particularly useful for configuring switches and other accessory products. The industrious developer Stefan Göhler and his team constantly deliver new updates and functions. Since today, version 4.17 of the universal app for iPhone and iPad is available for download.
Since the launch of the new Hue app two years ago now, there has been one annoyance on iPhone and iPad: there are no more native widgets. The reason for this is the fact that Apple does not offer the homescreen widgets newly introduced with iOS 14 the possibility to perform an action without opening the associated app.
To control my Hue lights, I prefer to use the official app from Philips Hue. To configure accessories, I have so far resorted to iConnectHue (App Store link). With the latest update to version 4.14, Stefan Göhler’s app offers numerous new functions around the topic of colours – and thus also becomes really interesting for controlling lamps.
iConnectHue (App Store-Link) is one of the most popular places to go from the Apple App Store when it comes to controlling and configuring Philips Hue. The developer Stefan Göhler always delivers new updates and functions – next he will take care of the gradient control. Until now, you could only use magic scenes in iConnectHue to make the Philips Hue Gradient bulbs shine in multiple colours.
Fabian