Philips Hue App Expands to iPad, Gains New 3D Touch Features

How long has Hue been out and it's just now getting a proper iPad app? That's really sad. Better late than never, I guess.

It's had an iPad app ('https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/philips-hue-gen-1/id557206189?mt=8') for quite a long time, but this is the "Gen 2" app that has now gained iPad support.

I just use the Home app now, only need the hue app when adding new devices.

I just use the Home app now, only need the hue app when adding new devices.

I hate the home app. Reminds me of the early windows phone days.

Although the control center toggles are nice.

The 3D Touch shortcuts are much welcome. This will eliminate a lot of steps when you want a quick scene

I fail to see the excitement in controlling a light bulb with a phone. Surely a switch is more convenient?

Not when you're controlling a dozen lights to set the mood for a particular activity with one tap or one Siri voice request. That is something far less convenient and limited with traditional lights and switches.

"Hey Siri, get ready for dinner"... The living and dining room lights dim to blues and reds, spotlights over the dining table turn on with a well lit and satisfying colour temperature, and lights in the kids rooms flash on/off to let them know that it's time to come down to eat. How many switches and nobs would you have to play with to achieve that — if at all even possible?

With smart lights, you stop thinking about controlling individual lights and begin thinking about controlling activity scenes involving many lights and other smart home devices. "Good night Siri!"... All the lights turn off, motion sensors activitated to turn on floor lighting strips when someone gets up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, thermostat cools the home, tv's turn off, smart locks ensure the house is locked down, the garage door is closed, and security cameras inside your home turn on and get ready to trigger motion notifications.

I fail to see the excitement in controlling a light bulb with a phone. Surely a switch is more convenient?

It's not necessarily exciting per se, not that physically turning off a switch is more demanding, but to be able to control your lights throughout your house is fairly convenient. I potentially could be upstairs in my house and forget to turn off the lights downstairs, hence having the ability to use my mobile device to control this. Technology allows us to have convenience where we may not necessarily need it, but it's exactly that, a short cut or convenient factor.

Also, perhaps this would suit someone who has a physical disability in their household, where they could control the lights without having to maneuver up and down the stairs.

How long has Hue been out and it's just now getting a proper iPad app? That's really sad. Better late than never, I guess.