Philips today tweeted an image demonstrating how the Philips Hue app for its iPhone-controlled line of lights might look when integrated into iOS 8's Notification Center.

As seen in the image, adding a Hue widget to the Notification Center would potentially give users direct access to an off switch and a selection of light scenes.

philipshuewidget

Currently, the Philips Hue line of lights, which includes various bulbs and accent lights, is controlled through the Philips Hue app and through various third-party apps. Access to Hue controls in Notification Center would make it much simpler for users to turn off lights or choose their favorite scenes, as it would not require an app to be launched.

As described during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, iOS 8's Notification Center allows third-party apps to create widget extensions to display information directly in the "Today" view. Right now, Apple limits Today view to integration with its own stock apps like Calendar, Stocks, and Weather, but with iOS 8, users will be given far more customization options thanks to third-party integration.

Top Rated Comments

somethingelsefl Avatar
152 months ago
Apple should have just replaced the "Missed" panel with a "Dashboard" or "Wdigets" panel. A dedicated widgets panel would have made more sense.

There are going to be way too many widgets lined up one after another. It's going to be too busy.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Moonlight Avatar
152 months ago
As a Hue owner, The app was ugly until they did an iOS7 update to it. Now it is fine. For those saying it doesn't work, I disagree. It works pretty flawlessly for me.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I like bananas Avatar
152 months ago
Looks pretty ugly, but functional I guess.

"concept prototype"
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeachChair Avatar
152 months ago
I like my Hue lamps, but I don't like the software. Philips need to hire a new team of people to do the user interface. Is has been a lost cause for too long. I no longer believe time will fix it. The problem seems to be Philips themselves think their software is great.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flottenheimer Avatar
152 months ago
Philips makes some pretty cool products, but my god, their user interfaces are ugly.

Dear Philips, please hire some professionals to do your UI/UX/GUI — it is what your products deserve.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bacaramac Avatar
152 months ago
Holy awesome batman. I really can't wait for Homekit to be fully up and running. Can't wait to tell Siri I'm going to bed, then bam: Doors locked, garage door closed, alarm set and my hue lights shut off inside house.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...