Nov 30, 2016 07:45 AM EST By Noi Ramirez, UniversityHerald Reporter

Philips updated their Philips Hue app to officially support Apple's iPad since its launch in 2013. Users will no longer rely on third-party applications to manage and control their Phillips Hue ready lighting fixtures.

The good news is, not only will iPad users have direct support for Philips Hue; iPhone owners can now access preset widgets on their smartphones via a 3D Touch press on Philips Hue icon. Pressing the icon gives access to widget-preset options in the app. This facilitates an immediate scene change or activates preset macros to set different lighting moods or simply turn lights on or off.

The latest version, Philips Hue 2.6.0 is a long awaited update for iPad users that allows iPad users to gain control of their lights from an iPad-optimized app for the first time, according to MacRumors. The interface of the revamped app features the same general design and controls of its released version back in April.

According to AppleInsider, the Philips Hue app update includes an improved scene edit tool that allows users to customize various lighting scenes either with or without any picture reference. Previous versions of the app require users to select color schemes from camera roll photo or stock Philips images.

The new Philips Hue update includes added iPad support, improved iOS support with 3D Touch to quickly access widgets, improved scene edit, bug fixes, and stability improvements. The release builds on Philips' "Gen 2" Hue app.

For science fiction buffs, controlling lighting fixtures is as easy as speaking commands to objects and having the command translated and carried out immediately. It might be a long way off still but the Philips Hue brings us closer to the obsolescence of the traditional lighting switch

The Philips Hue app is available free for download from the App Store.

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