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Apps Thermo Watch - control your Nest Thermostat
- Thread starter Marconelly
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The iPhone App for next is actually pretty simple to use. You can use your finger to touch along the thermostat graphic to adjust the temperature or use the up/down arrows at the bottom of the graphic.
Actually, their Apple Watch app is pretty simple as well, it lacks the ability to touch screen along the thermostat that the phone app has, but you can use the crown like Thermowatch or the up/down arrows are pretty much the same.
I can't recall if it was always that simple to use, or if that came in an update after I had already purchased. Thermo Watch. I am guessing after. There had to be a reason why I purchased Thermo Watch, other than the ability to swipe up and down to adjust temp.
The few bigger things my app has over what Nest's own app offers now, are the Complications on the watch face, Notification Center Widget, and the Apple TV app - which is free if you have the app on iOS. Nest's Apple TV app doesn't let you control the thermostat.
I also think my app has an edge in how quickly you can adjust the temperature. Last time I checked, Nest's watch app always goes back to that main screen, so you have to tap on the thermostat, wait for something to load, then adjust. In my app, you can adjust even before it syncs with the Nest server, literally the moment you open the app - and even before that, you can preview the temperature in the dock.
While I'm shamelessly listing stuff, two less obvious things in this app that the Nest one doesn't have, are that you get the audible/tactile confirmation that the change has been accepted, so you never have to wonder, and also there's the ability for the watch app to work without the presence of the phone - as long as you are on a known wifi network. While this last feature may not seem like a big deal now, I expect it to pay off nicely once Apple introduces the watch with an independent LTE module - which will mean that the app will work independently from anywhere.
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Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the Theromowatch App, I just can't recall when the Nest App updated to what it is now. I believe it used to be more cumbersome, which is why I originally purchased Thermowatch.
You are correct that the Nest App does not give tactile feedback. For the phone App the background changes to orange and says "heating" at the top or "cooling" if that's what you are doing and the background changes to blue.
With the watch app, you get an orange bar that goes between the current temp and your set temp, but no audible or taptic feedback.
It works OK, but I was just trying to recall what it had been like previously.
The Nest App definitely does go to that home screen and makes you select the thermostat. I guess that is OK if you have several, for one it is more time-consuming.
I haven't tried using the Nest App away from home, so I can't speak for that.
I really do enjoy the Thermowatch App, I was just pointing out and answering the question, that the Nest thermostats can be changed pretty easily from the Nest iPhone App as well
Yeah, the Nest's phone app is pretty nice, and works well IMO - that's why I never bothered to do much with my actual iOS app. Not much point in duplicating the functionality that they already do so well.
There actually might be one thing that their app doesn't have, but I can't even test that - what happens when you do a 3D press on their app icon? I know on mine, when you do that, you get a small view popup with the widget interface where you can adjust temperature. This is because the app already supports the iOS Notification Center widget. I'm guessing on their app this won't happen as they don't have a widget, but as I don't have a phone with 3D touch, I don't know for sure.
There actually might be one thing that their app doesn't have, but I can't even test that - what happens when you do a 3D press on their app icon? I know on mine, when you do that, you get a small view popup with the widget interface where you can adjust temperature. This is because the app already supports the iOS Notification Center widget. I'm guessing on their app this won't happen as they don't have a widget, but as I don't have a phone with 3D touch, I don't know for sure.
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You are absolutely correct. If you do a 3D press on the Nest App, the only option you have is to share it. No widget. I never noticed that before. The Thermowatch widget is pretty slick!
If anyone has been using the app with watchOS4 betas, you've probably noticed that the complications don't periodically update on their own anymore. This is because Apple has abandoned the simple complications update system in watchOS4, and instead is forcing the use of the full background app refresh. This approach, while technically better, is far more convoluted to implement and far more finicky. I've been working diligently since the very first beta to get this back up and running using the new method, and think that I've finally got it working - and maybe even working better than it used to with the old method. I have the beta version ready, so if anyone with watchOS4 is willing to test it a bit, send me a PM, or just reply with your email. In fact, I'd need someone with watchOS3.x to test it as well, as I no longer have it installed on my watch.
With cellular models coming out will this app operate without an iPhone nearby?
I can say, with 99% certainty that it will. I've been making sure to be ready for this since the Series 2 watch came out, as I was expecting it to have LTE already. The 1% uncertainty is because there's always possibility that Apple will lock out 3rd party apps from accessing data through the watch LTE, except from apps they specifically whitelist. They never mentioned anything of sort though, so I hope it won't be the case. I have the LTE watch coming next friday, so I'll test it right away, to confirm for sure.
musicpenguy, and anyone else interested - I can now confirm with 100% certainty that both Thermo Watch and Watch Cam apps work flawlessly over the Watch LTE. I've just come back from outside testing them. They in fact work even better and faster than when the watch is connected to phone's BT connection.
With 2 out of 4 LTE dots, I was getting past the initial sync in Thermo Watch in just 0.5-2s time, whereas it can take up to 3-4 seconds over the phone's BT connection. Similarly, the Watch Cam started loading camera live feed practically instantly as I've opened it. Really couldn't be happier with how both apps worked, and congrats to Apple for making this watch have such a quick and responsive LTE connection.
*edit* I've also checked Nest's own watch app to be sure, and it could not work without the phone - so at least for the time being, I have a substantial bragging point over them
With 2 out of 4 LTE dots, I was getting past the initial sync in Thermo Watch in just 0.5-2s time, whereas it can take up to 3-4 seconds over the phone's BT connection. Similarly, the Watch Cam started loading camera live feed practically instantly as I've opened it. Really couldn't be happier with how both apps worked, and congrats to Apple for making this watch have such a quick and responsive LTE connection.
*edit* I've also checked Nest's own watch app to be sure, and it could not work without the phone - so at least for the time being, I have a substantial bragging point over them
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I bought the app and get the error message that it can’t connect to the iPhone. Thought this app worked over cellular?
You need to have the phone around initially, to log into your account, and when you launch the watch app the first time, so that the watch can receive the credentials from the phone where you've logged in. From that point on, the watch app can function independently.
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I have now released the Mac version of Thermo Watch:
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/app/thermo-watch-for-nest/id1299951059?mt=12
Since Apple doesn't allow shared purchase between the iOS and macOS apps, my plan is to give away the codes for this app to anyone here who already owns Thermo Watch for iOS/Watch. Contact me, and I'll send you the download code, for as long as I have them - Apple lets me generate 100 of them, per released version. Also, to start things off, I've put 10 codes that are free for taking in the code giveaway forum:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...e-mac-menu-bar-and-today-pane-widget.2086097/
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/app/thermo-watch-for-nest/id1299951059?mt=12
Since Apple doesn't allow shared purchase between the iOS and macOS apps, my plan is to give away the codes for this app to anyone here who already owns Thermo Watch for iOS/Watch. Contact me, and I'll send you the download code, for as long as I have them - Apple lets me generate 100 of them, per released version. Also, to start things off, I've put 10 codes that are free for taking in the code giveaway forum:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...e-mac-menu-bar-and-today-pane-widget.2086097/
New version of the app is out, and it includes a 'proper' iOS app, that now lets you control all the thermostats. I've made a small preview video now that shows that it's possible to use the firm press on the app icon to gain access to one thermostat, and then if you open the widget, or the app itself, you get the access to all your thermostats. I hope this addition will please some users, as I've got several one star review from people who expected the phone app itself to control the thermostat - my reasoning for doing it so late is that Nest's own app is already doing this function well enough, and that I wanted to focus on things where I thought there were lacking.
Also, I'll try to clear up the confusion about logging in with the secondary, or "Family" account, and what happens then, in case someone needs assistance on it, and comes across this thread.
Right now, Nest doesn't allow 3rd party apps to use Family account to access the thermostat, or any other devices. If you log into Thermo Watch with a family account, you will get a warning explaining this, and will be redirected to a Login page. However, with a recent redesign of their login page, Nest has decided to complicate the logout procedure beyond what most people would expect, so I've got complaints that the logout from the secondary account is not actually possible. Truth is that it is possible, but it requires a few steps to do so. What you need to do after you've logged out of the Family account is to go and press the "Connect with your Nest Account" again, and when you get the warning from the Nest login page that there is a "Connection Issue" and you "can only connect to homes owned by you", you should then still press the Continue button. Then you will land on the page that has "Accept" button, but do not press it, or else you'll have to log out again. Rather, scroll down this page to the very bottom where it says "Sign in to a different account" and press that. Then you will need to press the Continue button again, and only then will be redirected to a page that lets you enter different login credentials. I have no idea why Nest made this so convoluted, and I really understand why someone would get lost in this maze of links and buttons, but as far as I can tell, I have no way of making it any simpler, as none of those pages are actually under my control.
The other option is to just delete and reinstall the app, which will present you with the clean login page.
Also, I'll try to clear up the confusion about logging in with the secondary, or "Family" account, and what happens then, in case someone needs assistance on it, and comes across this thread.
Right now, Nest doesn't allow 3rd party apps to use Family account to access the thermostat, or any other devices. If you log into Thermo Watch with a family account, you will get a warning explaining this, and will be redirected to a Login page. However, with a recent redesign of their login page, Nest has decided to complicate the logout procedure beyond what most people would expect, so I've got complaints that the logout from the secondary account is not actually possible. Truth is that it is possible, but it requires a few steps to do so. What you need to do after you've logged out of the Family account is to go and press the "Connect with your Nest Account" again, and when you get the warning from the Nest login page that there is a "Connection Issue" and you "can only connect to homes owned by you", you should then still press the Continue button. Then you will land on the page that has "Accept" button, but do not press it, or else you'll have to log out again. Rather, scroll down this page to the very bottom where it says "Sign in to a different account" and press that. Then you will need to press the Continue button again, and only then will be redirected to a page that lets you enter different login credentials. I have no idea why Nest made this so convoluted, and I really understand why someone would get lost in this maze of links and buttons, but as far as I can tell, I have no way of making it any simpler, as none of those pages are actually under my control.
The other option is to just delete and reinstall the app, which will present you with the clean login page.
It's been a while since I've posted any updates, I didn't feel I've added anything too groundbreaking lately - but I think I finally have an update worth writing about, with a Beta version for anyone willing to try it out
I've added the Siri Voice Shortcuts into the app now, which can be used on the phone / ipad, or completely independently on the watch, even when the watch is on its own on LTE. Here's what the UI for this looks like right now:
For each of the thermostats you own, you can now tap on the small Siri icon on the left, and the panel will open that offers you the available shortcuts. Right now, the actions are limited to temperature increase and decrease. You can increase by the set number of degrees +-1F and +-2F (or +-0.5C and +-1C), but you can also issue a command Start/Stop Cooling/Heating that will first read the current ambient temperature and then increase or decrease the target temperature to whatever it needs to be so the system starts cooling or heating.
If you have any ideas what shortcuts could be useful, please post ideas here. I'm planning on adding the Set Home/Away shortcuts also, as well as shortcuts that will allow setting a few favorite temperatures, as defined by user.
Another nice new thing added is the ability to manually re-arrange the order of thermostats. This order will then be updated in the iOS app, iOS widget, and the Watch app. On top of that, you can now tap on the right side text in the iOS widget, that will scroll through the available thermostats in the compact widget view.
If you have iOS12 beta and/or watchOS5 beta installed, and are willing to try these new features out - just let me know!
I've added the Siri Voice Shortcuts into the app now, which can be used on the phone / ipad, or completely independently on the watch, even when the watch is on its own on LTE. Here's what the UI for this looks like right now:
For each of the thermostats you own, you can now tap on the small Siri icon on the left, and the panel will open that offers you the available shortcuts. Right now, the actions are limited to temperature increase and decrease. You can increase by the set number of degrees +-1F and +-2F (or +-0.5C and +-1C), but you can also issue a command Start/Stop Cooling/Heating that will first read the current ambient temperature and then increase or decrease the target temperature to whatever it needs to be so the system starts cooling or heating.
If you have any ideas what shortcuts could be useful, please post ideas here. I'm planning on adding the Set Home/Away shortcuts also, as well as shortcuts that will allow setting a few favorite temperatures, as defined by user.
Another nice new thing added is the ability to manually re-arrange the order of thermostats. This order will then be updated in the iOS app, iOS widget, and the Watch app. On top of that, you can now tap on the right side text in the iOS widget, that will scroll through the available thermostats in the compact widget view.
If you have iOS12 beta and/or watchOS5 beta installed, and are willing to try these new features out - just let me know!
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Count me in! I already have the app on Test Flight from earlier betas. Anything else I need to do?It's been a while since I've posted any updates, I didn't feel I've added anything too groundbreaking lately - but I think I finally have an update worth writing about, with a Beta version for anyone willing to try it out
I've added the Siri Voice Shortcuts into the app now, which can be used on the phone / ipad, or completely independently on the watch, even when the watch is on its own on LTE. Here's what the UI for this looks like right now:
For each of the thermostats you own, you can now click on the small Siri icon on the left, and the panel will open that offers you the available shortcuts. Tight now, the actions are limited to temperature increase and decrease. You can increase by the set number of degrees +-1F and +-2F, but you can also issue a command Start/Stop Cooling/Heating that will first read the current ambient temperature and then increase or decrease the target temperature to whatever it needs to be so the system starts cooling or heating.
If you have any ideas what shortcuts could be useful, please post ideas here. I'm planning on adding the Set Home/Away shortcuts also, as well as shortcuts that will allow setting a few favorite temperatures, as defined by user.
Another nice new thing added is the ability to manually re-arrange the order of thermostats. This order will then be updated in the iOS app, iOS widget, and the Watch app. On top of that, you can now tap on the right side text in the iOS widget, that will scroll through the available thermostats in the compact widget view.
If you have iOS12 beta and/or watchOS5 beta installed, and are willing to try these new features out - just let me know!
Ugh. So wish I hadn't gotten Ecobee when I moved. Every update @Marconelly makes to this great app is just a twist of the the knife. Ecobee rewrote their garbage app, gutted half of the features and removed Watch functionality completely!
I miss Thermo Watch
I miss Thermo Watch
No need to do anything. I've just added you!
The main problem for me to make an app like this for Ecobee is that they pretty much require that you have their thermostat so you can work on it, which is not unreasonable (although Nest offers virtual home tool, which is very cool) but it's a hard thing to commit to, as I can't have two different thermostat systems running at the same time. But with Ecobee you have homekit support, which means you can use Siri with no extra apps, right?Ugh. So wish I hadn't gotten Ecobee when I moved. Every update @Marconelly makes to this great app is just a twist of the the knife. Ecobee rewrote their garbage app, gutted half of the features and removed Watch functionality completely!
I miss Thermo Watch
The HomeKit support is terrible. People have been complaining for years. If you set at a temperature using HomeKit it’s a permanent hold, until you resume/ There is no option for it to resume at the next schedule change. That means being stuck with the app which they threw away and rewrote (for no positive reason that I can discern) badly.
Thanks and I’m on! Works like a charm using Siri!
Are you donating intents or does that not really make sense for a thermostat?
I’m seeing it in Shortcuts too. Will try it out there also.
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I am donating only one intent right now - the app launch. The idea behind it is that it should start showing the app among the items on the Siri watch face. I can then display the current temperature, humidity etc on the item, wherever it shows up. This is however not happening right now, because I think watchOS beta still doesn't allow 3rd party apps to be displayed on the Siri watch face. I'm pretty sure I'm doing everything right, but it's just not showing up, and neither is any other 3rd party app (not even shortcuts from the Shortcuts app), despite being enabled in the Siri watch face settings. You can see that the Launch app shortcut is being crated if on your phone you go to Settings / Siri / My Shortcuts. "Launch Thermo Watch" will be there, and you can assign a voice phrase to it - you can even just record "Nest" and then it will launch thermo watch (on phone or on the watch) when you say that.
I am also considering donating more shortcuts, such as Start/Stop Cooling, so those would appear on the Siri Watch face also, but I want to keep it simple for now, until I'm sure any of it works. WatchOS 5 beta had mostly broken support for Siri shortcuts up until b5, which is why I waited this long to write about this feature here, despite having it mostly working since b1.
"Launch Thermo Watch" is there, as advertised! Also there was the Shortcut I added on my device last night from the app ("Increase Temperature Some More"). Waiting for the Shortcuts functionality to take audible input - like "Set Temp to 72 degrees" - to be availalble. That's when this is really going to take off.
Thanks for letting me be part of the beta!
Siri shortcuts are somewhat limited in how much input they allow. I won't be able to add a shortcut that will take an arbitrary numerical input, but what I will be able to do is let user preset a few favorite temperatures, let's say 72, 73, 74, and then record a voice phrase for each ("set temperature to 72", "set temperature to 73") then, it will set that temperature when you speak the phrase. It's not ideal, but better than nothing I think. Right now, the smartest feature I was able to add is "Start/Stop Cooling/Heating". It reads the current ambient temperature and then sets target temperature accordingly, to force the HVAC system to start or stop working.
OK, you should be able to try this now. I've released a new beta that has the new Siri shortcuts available. They let you create phrases for the three favorite temperatures you can preset, and then set those temperatures directly by voice phrase. Something like "Set temperature to 73 in the Living Room".
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