Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2021 September 4

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September 4

Philips Hue without the latest smartphone?

Hi!

I have just purchased a Philips Hue starter kit with a central unit (to be connected to my wireless router) and a number of extra light bulbs, but then I realised that I don’t know if I will be able to fully use this system.

The problem is that I don’t have a smartphone, and while I do have an Android tablet, it seems to be running Android 6 and according to Google Play, the Hue app requires Android 8 or later.

I really hope a smartphone isn’t required. I assume that the central unit has an HTTP server and that I can just type the IP address of the central unit into any web browser to configure the system fully (including setting timers and stuff)?

Or maybe there is a Win32 desktop app than can be used to control the system? (Since I am using Windows 7, UWP is not an option.)

Please don’t tell me I have to cancel my order!

--Andreas Rejbrand (talk) 11:47, 4 September 2021 (UTC)

Would a system update on the tablet be a solution? I found the Philips Hue Developer Program page, which describes discovering the bridge IP address and sending it commands in JSON format. Sounds harder than updating Android, on the face of it.  Card Zero  (talk) 12:03, 4 September 2021 (UTC)

As far as I know, it is not possible to update the Android system further, at least not in any supported way. The system says that no updates are available. IIRC, I got updates for a couple of years after purchasing the tablet, but it seems like it no longer receives updates.

As a longtime (20+ years) Win32 developer, I don't really mind making my own software, assuming the API is easy to use. --Andreas Rejbrand (talk) 12:26, 4 September 2021 (UTC)

You'll have to register for a Hue developer account to see what's on the API tab (at the top of that page), but I guess that's painless and it seems to be free to do. Incidentally, Windows 11, to be released next month, will be able to run Android apps.  Card Zero  (talk) 12:30, 4 September 2021 (UTC)

From what I can find, you can connect the bridge to various home automation programs (e.g. homey and openhab). For most of those, you still need a smartphone or up to date tablet though.

As an aside, why are you still using Windows7? since you'll connect it to a network (worse, one with IOT), you're having a security risk. Note that the upgrade can still be run using the update assistant, which means you can convert your windows7 key to windows10 (still free last time I checked). Rmvandijk (talk) 10:58, 6 September 2021 (UTC)

My computer is almost 12 years old. But it was very high-end when it was new, and it still works perfectly, so I certainly feel no need to replace it. That would just be bad for the environment, a waste of money, and a waste of mental energy (quite a lot to install). I spend most of my time in front of it, making computer programs, running simulations, writing books and articles, composing music, creating animations, films and video clips, browsing the WWW, communicating, watching films, etc., and thus it has a lot of software installed. I could probably upgrade it to Windows 10, but that would almost certainly not be entirely painless, and I am almost confident at least a few issues would appear afterwards. Just to mention one thing: I almost daily use Windows Media Center to watch films, but WMC has been removed in Windows 10.

In addition, on a more philosophical level, I very much dislike the modern view that you buy consumer electronics and then only use it a year or two. As I indicated above, that's not good for the planet, your personal finances, or anything. --Andreas Rejbrand (talk) 12:33, 8 September 2021 (UTC)

I solved the original issue by purchasing the cheapest Android tablet I could find, a Lenovo Tab M8 HD for about 128 USD. (I'm amazed what you can get for such a small amount of money these days.) --Andreas Rejbrand (talk) 17:55, 8 September 2021 (UTC)

Resolved

(And I must say the system works really well. I'm impressed. However, it baffles me that the system cannot be operated in the browser. I mean, the Hue Bridge shows up in the Network Neighbourhood shell folder in Windows and double-clicking it takes me to the device's web page on the local network. This page shows the applicable open source licenses. To me it seems obvious that this web page should be an HTML5 app used for operating the system. This page can be reached by any computer on the network: Windows, Mac, Linux, tablets, smartphones, etc. If Philips spent a few days making such a web app, this product would be much more complete IMHO. Now, if I'm at my computer I cannot control the lights, but instead I must go and find my Lenovo tablet or use one of the Hue dimmers. --Andreas Rejbrand (talk) 22:36, 8 September 2021 (UTC))

I made my own Win32 desktop app to control the system: https://privat.rejbrand.se/WinHue.png --Andreas Rejbrand (talk) 17:29, 11 September 2021 (UTC)

Suggestion for Amazon Prime Video

Time ago I found the link for suggest series to Amazon for the Prime Video, but now I forgot. Is there someone that can kindly help me to remember the link? Many thanks in advance!!! --94.247.8.8 (talk) 17:05, 4 September 2021 (UTC)

Your question is a little unclear. Are you looking for suggestions as to what series to watch on Amazon Prime, how to use Amazon Prime, or something else? It kind of sounds like you want a way to suggest to Amazon what shows you'd like them to carry. I don't know if there is such a function, but Amazon does host a forum here; maybe someone there can better help you. Matt Deres (talk) 14:59, 5 September 2021 (UTC)

@Matt Deres: I mean “request” new tv series to add on Prime Video. Every month Amazon publish the list of new additions, like https://www.vitalthrills.com/amazon-prime-video-september-2021-movie-and-tv-titles/ . Somewhere there is a module for write the wishlist for new series wanted. --94.247.8.8 (talk) 16:29, 5 September 2021 (UTC)

I don't think that functionality still exists. ApLundell (talk) 21:45, 7 September 2021 (UTC)