Home Widget - for HomeKit +4

I’ve only been using the app for a short time, and so I still need to do some exploring. My main reason for getting this app is to gain the ability to control my HomeKit devices without my glasses on (HomeKit app too small for me to see). What I don’t understand is why I cannot put more than one of the same size panels (as widgets) on the same home screen page (despite being able to create multiple panels of the same size in the app). I think something in the help document refers to this, but I don’t understand. I had hoped to use multiple small panels, each assigned a unique color, to be able to recognize individual widgets. I switched strategies, trying to use a larger panel (with multiple actions), however those do not allow for assigning different colors to different actions, nor do I know how to adjust font size. So… it’s a good app, but so far I can’t get it to work for my purpose. Misc: I’d like to see a list of premium features; despite being available in my HomeKit app, this app does not list my TLC TV (Roku) as an available action. Feature wish: custom sounds when actions are performed in the widgets. I’ll keep experimenting.

Hello LesGip!

Thanks a lot for your feedback and your questions. Could you contact us by email (contact@vision-apps.com). It would be easier to discuss these points. Nevertheless here are my answers:

1 - To select what panel to display in your widget, long press on the widget then, "edit Widget" on the popover menu. It will let you change the panel displayed here and also change the widget position useful if using background images.

2 - Concerning TV, media devices and HomePod, Apple HomeKit do not expose them as other devices so we can't control them that way. But if you create some scenes or shortcut in the shortcut app, you can add action to trigger that scenes or shortcuts from the widgets.

Expecting that it answer all of your question.

Regards,

Clement

iPhone 14 Pro Max
** Update after installing iOS 16, the home widget background position setting no longer works. It always shows as the top position even when set to bottom. Really solid app, I use it daily for quick actions. The one thing I wish it supported is fan speed control. Currently it only supports on/off toggle so the fan comes on at 100%. Wish it had functionality similar to a dimmer switch like the Home app which allows you to set the fan at 25%, 50% or 75%.

Edit: Are you using an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max? If not could just tell me what is your iPhone model to give a chance to fix it?

Hi Tmac-72,

Could you email me about this background position issue? (contact@vision-apps.com) I do not reproduce this problem and for the moment I have no other report of this. I would like to investigate further in order to solve this with your help if you want it.

Thanks in advance,

Clement

I originally was excited about this app after purchasing it, but now it’s a little bit of a letdown because of one frustrating limitation. The device states only update after preset intervals. That is, if you turn on a light using your iphone, your ipad’s widget will not display that device state change instantly. I have my preset refresh interval set to Home Widget’s recommended 30 minutes, but I’m not 100% sure if it even updates that often. Apple’s own home widget does display state changes instantly.

Because of this, I’ve really only been using the widget for opening cameras. It does this pretty well. The only problem is that it just opens in the home widget app, so you have no access to recordings. I wonder if an apple shortcut can also do this?

The background option is interesting, but cumbersome to use. It is super hacky. A bug I’ve been seeing is the background reverts to a default blue until you interact with the widget.

Hello Dave,

Thank you for your feedback.

Concerning the bug you mentioned, I am not sure to understand. Could you send me an email at contact@vision-apps.com I would be happy to investigate that.

Camera streams can't be opened through shortcuts as far as I know.

Concerning delayed background refresh, you're right. When device states changes for another device, it will take some time to be update. You can try to go to a lower value. Lot's of user uses a 10 minutes interval with very good results. By the way, a tap on refresh button, a sensor or a counter item will trigger an instant refresh.

Clement