Philips Seeking Beta Testers for Revamped 'Hue' App - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Philips Seeking Beta Testers for Revamped 'Hue' App

by

Philips Hue today tweeted an open call for beta testers to join in putting the company's new and overhauled lighting app through its paces. Users will help Philips "shape a whole new lighting experience" through the beta test, which has already mostly been tested by the company and is seeking fans of Hue to help "with the last finishing touches."

philips hue beta

Users on iOS 8 and higher or Android 4.4 and higher will be able to join in on the beta, although it will have a limited availability and not everyone will be able to get in. After a few minutes of registration, users who get into the beta will be contacted by email with further instructions on how to install the new Hue app onto their smartphone.

Philips didn't give any specifics regarding new features coming to Hue in the update, but screenshots on the company's page hint at a focus on aesthetic and UI changes over drastic new additions to the software. Users interested can apply to be in the Philips Hue beta through Betabound.

Top Rated Comments

132 months ago


Maybe someone sells alternate connectors to slip on to the LED strips to make wiring a whole lot easier.
Well it's 5 wires RGBW and power the strips I buy have connectors each end... So you can cut the connectors off and crimp connect your 1metre gap or what ever soldering the actual strip is damn hard and well the strips are £15 for 5m so not really a problem if you get it wrong. Also you can cut say a 2m and 3m if you need shorter or less you get the 2 end wires
[doublepost=1455757897][/doublepost]This is one of the things I've done with them.

Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfingarbo Avatar
132 months ago
In school, I was never picked to be on any sports teams.

Finally, this could be my chance to be picked for something I might actually be good at.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rwilliams Avatar
132 months ago
The current app is pretty bad, so I'm hoping the new version is a big improvement. I currently use Elgato Eve to control my Hue lights.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
132 months ago
Ah, so here's the issue. I was able to use Siri before the bad update. Without the Siri functionality I have no need for the bulbs to work with Hue. Anyway, I will mess around with it some tonight when I get home. Thanks.

What's this light strip product to which you're referring?
I agree it was wrong of them to remove homekit / siri being able to control Non-philips lights. Their reason was it's licensing with Apple - which is balls. They just need to protect their business. I am sure someone else will come up with a hack at some point. the hub is based on dd-wrt router software. Or possibly a homekit compatible Zigbee hub that isn't Hue which will happily control any lights.

I actually use smarthings now to control my lights and never touch the hue App.

Like I say the iConnect hue app works in a different way with siri.

this is the controller - works great... I have about 100m of LEDs coming off 6 of them. All working though Hue.
https://www.dresden-elektronik.de/funktechnik/solutions/wireless-light-control/wireless-ballasts/fls-pp-lp/?L=1&cHash=c9c902ccdb43164696acccf81b62b2bd

It's on amazon US/UK/DE
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gizmotoy Avatar
132 months ago
The current app is pretty bad, so I'm hoping the new version is a big improvement. I currently use Elgato Eve to control my Hue lights.
Agreed. I use Lightbow (fantastic app) to control the lights manually, otherwise I let my Smartthings hub automate them.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdlink Avatar
132 months ago
That's already been updated with their most recent update.
So you're telling me that the latest update restores the functionality of my non-Hue Zigbee bulb?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...