OnSwitch for Philips Hue

My personal experience with this app has been wonderful, and I recommend it to anyone who owns hue lights. It really utilizes the full potential of the hue lights, and the different scenes are creative and very unique, unlike ones I’ve seen in the past. But there are two complaints I have. One, there is no mute button. Some times I just want to change the lighting of the different rooms in my house but also have a little peace and quiet. For example, I the kindle app, if I’m reading, the noise would continue to play as I’m reading. I know a simple solution would be to turn off the volume but that feels unnecessary to me when the only scene that I want sound for is the Fourth of July one. My second complaint is that you have to pay for many of the different scenes. I would be fine with paying a one time “premium” fee to get all of the scenes, to support the developers, but as a person on a low budget, having to pay for each scene individually is kind of annoying. I would understand having exclusive scenes for holidays and special events that you would pay for separately, but if I have to pay 40 dollars to get all of the scenes, you can see how I may be slightly irritated. (You should also be able to preview the scenes before you buy them) Overall, this is a great app and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who owns hue lights. Thanks- Jean-Cordell

Updated review. I love this app. But I one-stared this app in an earlier review after almost a year, when the developer rolled out version 2 that crashed instantly on startup, with no clear solution, instantly transforming the app from great to utterly useless. Developer fixed the problem and the app is back to its old greatness. I will be more reluctant to upgrade though; having been a software developer for a decade in a previous life, rolling out defective software like that was inexcusable; in my day someone would have been fired over a wide release so poorly executed. I hope these guys aren’t writing self-driving car software! Going forward, I’ll wait until a few days go by before upgrading this app; I won’t just auto upgrade it as I did in the past. It gets five stars because it’s a great app. Just make sure any upgrade is stable before downloading; in my case OnSwitch had become my sole way to control nearly two dozen Hue and LIFX bulbs in my home, it’s that good. But when the app crashed, I lost the ability to control them (some don’t even have mechanical switches anymore) and was at the mercy of the developer to fix it. Not fun.

Here’s the scoop: the scenes and/or albums for purchase are subject to be removed from the app in the name of the variety. Save for a recent disclaimer on the new holiday scenes, there is no transparency as to if/when this will happen to other purchases. Once the scene/album is removed, there goes your $.99-$3.99 purchase. This would be fine if there was full disclosure that your purchase is actually a rental, but again, there’s no transparency. You could purchase a scene and be none the wiser that it will be removed in a week. This was found out by users after their money was taken when previous albums were removed. I wish I had known this before I purchased scenes. I’m glad they made the disclaimer for the holiday scenes (probably because of users getting the word out in the forums), but I won’t make any additional purchases until the “keep your purchase” policy applies to all scenes. Or at least until it’s made clear which purchase is a rental. In sum, buyer beware.

Having used several lighting apps for Hue, this is in my opinion the best app available. The execution and creativity is spot on. This coupled with a developer that cares is enough for me. I would absolutely recommend this app. Overall consider me a promoter. That said, I have some concerns: 1. I have groups setup but I cannot turn off individual groups (well I actually can turn off individual groups but the app forces them back on). It leaves me with all my scenes executed in the entire house with no recourse. 2. I purchased “Skies” primarily for the “Night Lightening” scene except my night doesn’t have any lightening so it’s just sound. Interestingly the Demo version works and “Classic Lightening” works but the scene I purchased this for does not. I’ve deleted the app restored purchases and created new groups none of that has solved the issue. Hoping it’s something that will be fixed in an update or some issue with me that can be solved. 3. The pricing model isn’t for me. I don’t like subscription models (although I understand the benefits for the developer). The individual pricing is quite high. And scenes can be removed. Give me a 1 time purchase option for everything and I’m in.

I’m happy with the animated scenes though wish there were a few good disco types along with an included TV camera or interface to make that an all in one and definitely a camera roll color matcher; this COULD be the only hue and smart light app a person needs at all!...but these are just wishes. One Switch does what it does well and much simpler than other apps I’ve tried. I love matching my mood so easily. The subscription option is too much though but they do still allow for one time purchases for scene packs. Lower those prices a bit and this is gold. All said, I’m happy with this app and the packs I’ve bought. Please allow for the sharing of the app and settings with family members soon will you? We have spent all this money for the house and I wish my wife could also use this app on her phone too now instead of always asking me to do it for her! Help a guy who loves you! Thanks One Switch.