Been working on an APP in my (limted) free time for IOS/Android/Kindle to control Hubitat devices. It is a very simplistic app and is for standard (think non tech) type users. It will provide very simple control/visualizations of home automation from HE. I depend on MakerAPI. This will be a very early more alpha type test phase. I need others to test outside of my environment. The number of devices supported right now is limited but it will be ever evolving/growing as I add more device support. Right now it supports
Switches
Lights
Bulbs
Sensors (contact and motion)
Relays
like I said very basic right now but will grow and improve. All control is done by room and/or device type (think all lights etc). The initial setup screens are done and mockups of control screens are currently being coded. The backend is mostly done as well. I have attached a couple of screenshots from some of the initial setup screens. (only ones finalized and done). I would like to get a couple android and a couple of IOS testers. I need feedback and patience as it is very early testing mostly.
I could try both iOS and Android, I would probably not be using it regularly but could bash it around some, I am pretty good at uncovering issues. For iOS I have a iPhone 11 and Android I have some sort of Samsung 8" tablet. Phone could be an issue, I would only be able to install it if its on TestFlight. If its one of those download link ipa files I could load that on an iPad.
As for benefits over HomeKit it depends on how you use it mostly. It will mostly add a different interaction/interface with some added features but they may not be features for all. What I see as a benefit others may or may not use or see it that way. I personally don't like the flow/UI of homekit myself but I know others that do.
Will you be including widgets with this app so we can create custom dashboards without the need to open the app?
I’m just asking all of these questions because I was looking at building an app like this as well. I stopped development because of the HomeKit integration.
One thing I don’t like about the HomeKit integration is it’s just not reliable. I often have switches that don’t change state in HomeKit. I love the ease of use in HomeKit but I dislike the widgets for it.
I'll be happy on test on my Android phone (Samsung S23 ultra).
I've been using Android HD+ and now custom Home Assistant dashboards (HA companion app) on my Android phone on a daily basis.
I wish you Good Luck and Godspeed!
This is very lacking in the native Hubitat software, and a good implementation would have great implications.
(I can test Android & Ipad).
Again: Good Luck and GodSpeed!
Thanks all that should be a good start. I probably have a couple of weeks before I am ready to send out (depending on holidays). I have noted everyone above and will reach out in PM when ready. It will be a testflight for ios or an APK for android/kindle. I started this project for myself and wife to have a simpler way to control everything from our hub. The dashboard is less than ideal and the other mobile apps lack to me. They perform functions fine but the presentation doesn't suite me and when I have the luxury to know how to change it I will lol.
I totally agree with this. Apple Home is the best for me, not perfect by pretty good. I tested most of the other popular dashboard apps to do a setup for someone else and actually went back to using the HE dashboard. I also played around with Home Assistant dashboard and that could probably top HomeKit but requires significantly more effort to setup. The nice thing about HomeKit is I just share the device and give it a room, adjust a few settings for favorites and status and its ready to go.
I’m referring to habitat’s integration. I’ve used homebridge in the past, but I’m tired of having all of these various hubs and pi’s on my network to fill gaps that automation is lacking. So I switched to hubitats integration.
....The nice thing about HomeKit is I just share the device and give it a room, adjust a few settings for favorites and status and its ready to go.
This is kind of the approach I took. You pick which rooms you want the app to control (based of the rooms you have setup in HE and devices assigned) then pick which devices in that room you want to control. What you want grouped together (lights etc) and that's it. I am trying to keep it as simple as I can which won't mean a huge amount of customization its a trade off and won't be for everyone
Just a small update. I had some free time this week due to a surgery so I was able to get most of the homepage and configuration pages done. I just have the individual room screens left to conquer before I send it out to those that offered to test. Just keep in mind this first beta will only support
Switches, lights, sensors (motion and contact) and locks.
Others will come easier and quicker after I know I have the basics working. It’s definitely turned into more of a beast than I expected and its UI seems to work well for me hope others enjoy it.
