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Apps Thermo Watch - control your Nest Thermostat
- Thread starter Marconelly
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So far, you're the only one. There's been maybe three people who had trouble getting it to work right after installing it, like someone earlier in this topic, but it would work for them after re-installing it once or twice. Good news is that I'm well on my way to getting the secondary data control approach working, and when I'm closer to be done with it, I hope you won't mind beta-testing it, to see if it resolves the problem you're seeing.
Would be more than happy to beta test, although I have not had an issues the last couple of days
Since posting this I have had multiple connectivity issues and restarting watch iphone has not resolved them, since 7 am I have restarted my phone twice and watch once and finally at 10:40 had connectivity, not sure if the Nest app update has anything to do with this.
YatBob, can you PM me your email. I will send you the beta version of the app where the new data retrieval system is in place and you shouldn't be getting any connectivity issues ever again.
I did not know that! Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I was planning to release the next version very soon, but now I'm tempted to look into this problem first, and release after I fix whatever the problem is... Can you first try deleting and re-installing the app and see if it works then? Also, do you mind beta-testing the next version of the app? It contains some big under the hood changes, so I'm wondering if that will make it work on watchOS3 as well.
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The new version of the app is ready to go out.
- The main improvement is the new data access system where the connection between the watch and the phone is not needed after the initial setup. This has eliminated the problem that YatBob was seeing - thanks so much for testing this Bob! - and since I'm assuming he can't be the only one, I've made this a default setting, as it seems to be the most compatible and bulletproof approach. As a side bonus, from now on, as long as you're within the known wifi, you don't even need the phone around, the app will still work. If Apple comes out with an LTE enabled watch, the app will work anywhere, regardless if you have the phone with you or not. I've left the option in the settings to revert back to the old data access system, if this new approach feels worse to anyone for any reason.
- Another nice thing about this new data access approach is that it can load the data in background, so that the moment it's opened, the app updates to the last retrieved status, which is never more than a few minutes old. Then it syncs up to the very latest status. The only thing to make sure is to have the complication on the watch face, if you wish the app to update in the background. As before, you can make the temperature adjustments right as you open the app, even before the sync completes.
- Complications update often and regularly, even if the app is not being opened. So for example, if you thermostat is switching to a scheduled temperature, or someone at home switches it from cooling to heating, the complication will update to show that shortly after.
- Utility watch face complications now show the full range of information as opposed to just temperature. They now also show the away status, HVAC mode, HVAC status (heating/cooling/off), ambient temperature, and humidity. Everything that was previously only available on the large modular watch face complication. Here's what the new complication looks like:
^ little blue ring indicates that the system is in the Cool mode, and since it's bright blue, it means that the system is currently running. If it looks dark/faded blue, it means that at that time it's not running.
- I've added and an option to reverse the order in which your homes appear in the app has been added to the settings, as requested by someone who left a review. Also, I've moved the settings to the Watch app. The reason I didn't do this initially is that it seemed to be buggy under watchOS 2.2, but it works as it should in 2.2.1
- Also, this version of the app should be working nicely under watchOS 3 beta - thanks Feenician for testing this!
As always, if any issues crop up, let me know, I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.
- The main improvement is the new data access system where the connection between the watch and the phone is not needed after the initial setup. This has eliminated the problem that YatBob was seeing - thanks so much for testing this Bob! - and since I'm assuming he can't be the only one, I've made this a default setting, as it seems to be the most compatible and bulletproof approach. As a side bonus, from now on, as long as you're within the known wifi, you don't even need the phone around, the app will still work. If Apple comes out with an LTE enabled watch, the app will work anywhere, regardless if you have the phone with you or not. I've left the option in the settings to revert back to the old data access system, if this new approach feels worse to anyone for any reason.
- Another nice thing about this new data access approach is that it can load the data in background, so that the moment it's opened, the app updates to the last retrieved status, which is never more than a few minutes old. Then it syncs up to the very latest status. The only thing to make sure is to have the complication on the watch face, if you wish the app to update in the background. As before, you can make the temperature adjustments right as you open the app, even before the sync completes.
- Complications update often and regularly, even if the app is not being opened. So for example, if you thermostat is switching to a scheduled temperature, or someone at home switches it from cooling to heating, the complication will update to show that shortly after.
- Utility watch face complications now show the full range of information as opposed to just temperature. They now also show the away status, HVAC mode, HVAC status (heating/cooling/off), ambient temperature, and humidity. Everything that was previously only available on the large modular watch face complication. Here's what the new complication looks like:
^ little blue ring indicates that the system is in the Cool mode, and since it's bright blue, it means that the system is currently running. If it looks dark/faded blue, it means that at that time it's not running.
- I've added and an option to reverse the order in which your homes appear in the app has been added to the settings, as requested by someone who left a review. Also, I've moved the settings to the Watch app. The reason I didn't do this initially is that it seemed to be buggy under watchOS 2.2, but it works as it should in 2.2.1
- Also, this version of the app should be working nicely under watchOS 3 beta - thanks Feenician for testing this!
As always, if any issues crop up, let me know, I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.
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I've just released the 1.7 update. The main improvement in this version is that the thermostat ring now fades in and out as you change the temperature, and as the heating/cooling system starts and stops. For example, while the system is working, the ring looks bright, as usual:
When target temperature is reached, and the system turns off, the ring will fade out a bit:
But if you then go and start changing the temperature to be lower, the ring will fade in to bright again, to indicate that with the new set target temperature, the system will turn on:
This happens accordingly in the Heat and Heat/Cool mode as well - the ring fades in and out as you spin the crown, and when it's bright, you know the system will turn on - much like how the background color fades on the actual Nest thermostat to indicate this same thing.
The other improvement is that the app is now able to better handle the scenario where there's multiple active thermostats in the same house, and some of the thermostats have Auto-Away feature enabled, while some have it disabled.
Lastly, I've fixed a watchOS3 specific bug, so the app should now be fully functional and reliable under watchOS3 (unless something changes drastically from this beta to the final release, but I'll keep a close eye on that, of course).
I've already started working on the next update, which will have Today's screen widget (And I have a very crude version of it working, actually) - so look forward to that fairly soon!
When target temperature is reached, and the system turns off, the ring will fade out a bit:
But if you then go and start changing the temperature to be lower, the ring will fade in to bright again, to indicate that with the new set target temperature, the system will turn on:
This happens accordingly in the Heat and Heat/Cool mode as well - the ring fades in and out as you spin the crown, and when it's bright, you know the system will turn on - much like how the background color fades on the actual Nest thermostat to indicate this same thing.
The other improvement is that the app is now able to better handle the scenario where there's multiple active thermostats in the same house, and some of the thermostats have Auto-Away feature enabled, while some have it disabled.
Lastly, I've fixed a watchOS3 specific bug, so the app should now be fully functional and reliable under watchOS3 (unless something changes drastically from this beta to the final release, but I'll keep a close eye on that, of course).
I've already started working on the next update, which will have Today's screen widget (And I have a very crude version of it working, actually) - so look forward to that fairly soon!
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Thermo Watch - App Store Link
The long promised 2.0 update is now ready, and with it, the Notification Center Widget. Here's what it looks like:
I think the way it works is pretty self explanatory - much like with the watch app, you can start adjusting even before the initial sync has finished, and you will receive an audible and tactile feedback when your request has been applied. The only thing not immediately obvious is that you can tap on the thermostat in Away mode, to be offered a confirmation to end Away.
Right now the widget cannot change the HVAC system mode of operation (heat/cool) but I may add that in a future update. I think a rarely performed multi-step operation like that, which also needs a dedicated button, goes a bit against the spirit of simplicity of the widgets, but I'm still considering it.
The app is now also universal, so the widget can be used on an iPad, just as it can be used on an iPhone without the paired Apple Watch.
The Watch app now has a new setting that allows for selecting of what to show on small Complications: Target temperature, Ambient temperature, or Humidity. Small complications include the modular small, utilitarian small and the circular one. Thanks to Caligurl who gave me an idea for this!
Last but not least, given how many requests I've received for this - the app now has a new, and hopefully nicer looking icon.
Starting today, and for the next week at least, the app will also be on sale, and cost just $1. I think this makes it the cheapest Nest app that offers both the Watch app, and the Widget. As always, I'll be listening to any feedback, so tell me what you think about the new widget on your device of choice.
To celebrate the 2.0 release, I've posted 10 promo codes in the Code Sharing thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...h-watch-and-nc-widget-10-promo-codes.1989949/
The long promised 2.0 update is now ready, and with it, the Notification Center Widget. Here's what it looks like:
I think the way it works is pretty self explanatory - much like with the watch app, you can start adjusting even before the initial sync has finished, and you will receive an audible and tactile feedback when your request has been applied. The only thing not immediately obvious is that you can tap on the thermostat in Away mode, to be offered a confirmation to end Away.
Right now the widget cannot change the HVAC system mode of operation (heat/cool) but I may add that in a future update. I think a rarely performed multi-step operation like that, which also needs a dedicated button, goes a bit against the spirit of simplicity of the widgets, but I'm still considering it.
The app is now also universal, so the widget can be used on an iPad, just as it can be used on an iPhone without the paired Apple Watch.
The Watch app now has a new setting that allows for selecting of what to show on small Complications: Target temperature, Ambient temperature, or Humidity. Small complications include the modular small, utilitarian small and the circular one. Thanks to Caligurl who gave me an idea for this!
Last but not least, given how many requests I've received for this - the app now has a new, and hopefully nicer looking icon.
Starting today, and for the next week at least, the app will also be on sale, and cost just $1. I think this makes it the cheapest Nest app that offers both the Watch app, and the Widget. As always, I'll be listening to any feedback, so tell me what you think about the new widget on your device of choice.
To celebrate the 2.0 release, I've posted 10 promo codes in the Code Sharing thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...h-watch-and-nc-widget-10-promo-codes.1989949/
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Glad you like it :–)
Just a note about the iOS10 - I've checked and confirmed that the widget works well on iOS10 for as long as you don't need to control more than one thermostat. If you have two or more, you will still only see the first one on the widget. This is due to widget layout engine changes in iOS10. I already have the version where this problem is fixed, but can't release it until Apple starts allowing Xcode 8 submissions.
You can go from Away to Home mode. When the thermostat is in away mode, just tap on it, and it should offer you to end the away. I'm still thinking how to seamlessly implement going the other way, from home to away mode.looks great. would love a way to quickly toggle home/away from the widget.
that's what i would use most -- my personal use case of widgets is when i get in the car, i pull it down to launch waze. with Thermo Watch right beneath it, i could set to away too.
I see and have been using 2 thermostats in the widget so something is amiss!
(Will happily post screenshots, if requested)
That's even better
I based my assessment off of running the app in the XCode 8 simulator from an older beta. So it may be that the newer betas handle this better / more like iOS9 does.I'll install the latest beta soon, but post the screenshot from an actual device if you don't mind.
I will...as soon as I can get past this.That's even better
I'll install the latest beta soon, but post the screenshot from an actual device if you don't mind.
Hmm, that won't let you do anything for about half an hour, in my experience. It's a Nest server limitation. But, did you do anything to reasonabl trigger it? Did you change the temperature etc. several times in a quick succession or anything like that?
Nope. I'm not even home so had no reason to change it. Fixed now, though!
Here's the photo:
I've just released 2.1 version. The main improvement is the addition of a button dedicated to Away state toggle. ericg301 should be happy about this
Other than that, I fixed a bug where the widget, upon opening, would sometimes be blank for a second or two, and then appear. So now it's possible to start adjusting right as the notification center opens, under all circumstances, as advertised.
Another bug was that the setting for the small modular complication display type would be ignored, and it would reset back to showing the target temperature. While this is now fixed, you may need to go to watch / app settings, unselect the wanted option, and then re-select it, after installing this update, so that the setting would stick. Sorry about this.
Lastly, I've ironed out a few UI rendering quirks, like the one you can see on gwhizkids's screenshot above, where the line cuts straight through the text.
For the next release, my plan is to add the HVAC mode selection to the widget, but I'm listening to any ideas, as usual.
Other than that, I fixed a bug where the widget, upon opening, would sometimes be blank for a second or two, and then appear. So now it's possible to start adjusting right as the notification center opens, under all circumstances, as advertised.
Another bug was that the setting for the small modular complication display type would be ignored, and it would reset back to showing the target temperature. While this is now fixed, you may need to go to watch / app settings, unselect the wanted option, and then re-select it, after installing this update, so that the setting would stick. Sorry about this.
Lastly, I've ironed out a few UI rendering quirks, like the one you can see on gwhizkids's screenshot above, where the line cuts straight through the text.
For the next release, my plan is to add the HVAC mode selection to the widget, but I'm listening to any ideas, as usual.