Schedule a light show with the latest Oni: Light Control update

By Rich Edmonds
last updated

Oni has published a new blog post covering the most recent update to the company's Windows Phone app. Should you not be aware of what Oni: Light Control is all about, we last looked at the app back in February. It's a solution for those of us who happen to have Philips Hue bulbs installed throughout the home. Think home lighting, but more fun.

The rather expensive lighting equipment supports a variety of colours and is wireless enabled, making it easy to control the output using a smartphone. This is where Oni (www.oni.io) and its Light Control Windows Phone comes in. Unfortunately, the Philips bulbs are rather expensive, so this is only suited for those who can afford to throw money at the home.

So what's new in this latest release? Version 1.3 introduces the much anticipated scheduling functionality. Ever found yourself wanting to schedule mood effects to activate at specific times? Users who utilise the Oni: Light Control app can now set transition times and watch colours slowly fade to the set mood for impressive visual experiences to be created.

The Philips Hue does not support recurring events (for the price of the lighting equipment, boo!), but to aid with the creation and execution of certain scenarios, users can assign scheduled tasks to NFC tags. As an example, one can set a wake up task that will turn on the lights the next morning when the Windows Phone is placed nearby.

Here's the full change log:

  • Added the much anticipated scheduling feature.
  • Added feature to add scheduled tasked by NFC tags
  • Fixed issue where moods couldn't be deleted when recently activated
  • Fixed other minor issues

Couple these new features with what is already present (NFC tags and voice control) and you've got one awesome user experience. As noted above, the only issue is the price of the bulbs. You can download Oni: Light Control from the Windows Phone Store and pick up the Philips Hue starter pack (opens in new tab) from the Apple Store for $200 ($280 on Amazon.com (opens in new tab)). 

QR: Oni Light Control

Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds is Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him over on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.

10 Comments
  • If I can afford the bulbs, I can afford a butler to adjust them for me.
  • lol
  • I'm pretty sure poorer people have wasted $250 on something a lot more worthless they didn't need.  We all have.  
    Regardless, I've got my eye on the Hue and biding my time to see how long the price drops.  1st gen LED bulbs were expensive and the prices dropped quickly within a year, so hoping it eventually happens to products like the Hue as well.
  • Having to buy them through Apple is sketchy. oh didnt see that last line. Followed the link from the oni site.
  • That's the cheapest way.
    I did pickup at store. And when he the order no. I had show him the email in Lumia 920. Lol
  • I bought it after reading about it in that Feb article. You couldn't go wrong with that 200$. One of the nice things to have. Plus it draws less power than normal bulbs. This app is better than the Philips own app. But I wish the developer add the disco functionality that is found in the iPhone with hue disco app.
  • I still wish it had recurring scheduled tasks.  This is the most imporant feature I've always wanted. Oh well.
  • I am definitely getting this soon. My friend has these and they work great!!
  • Microsoft should advertise this on tv too, just like apple did. Show apple they aren't the only one.
  • I just wish we could get the Philips globes in Australia.
    They need to look at better global distribution