Homepad is a great app but I can’t use it because I have no remote for my Airport Express. I know that the x-box controller would work via WIFI and if you could program a bluetooth button to act as the play/pause button on the AE used by home pad, then anyone with a smartphone, tablet, windows pc etc could use the app. Please consider adding this feature to home pad.
I have contacted some companies about controller apps but no one seems interested in creating a AE remote for HomePad. I think that if enough people contact them then they will create it. Here is a list of 3 companies I emailed:
About Apple
Apple, Inc. is a worldwide multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers. Apple’s products include Mac OS X operating system, the Mac line of Macintosh desktop computers, the iPod portable media player, the iPhone smartphone, the iPad tablet computer, and various accessories.
Cisco Systems is a publicly traded networking equipment company headquartered in San Jose, California, U.S., that designs and sells networking hardware, telecommunications gear and other high-technology services and products
Blackberry Limited is a Canadian-based multinational communications company best known as the developer of the BlackBerry wireless handheld device.
homepod not showing in airplay
HOME PAD is a new app that allows you to control homekit devices in the comfort of your couch. This handy app works with iOS10 and all compatible apple iphones, ipads and ipods. Use is easy: just select the device you want to control in HOME PAD and press its button on the controller!
HOME PAD is an App that brings the ease of your couch to homekit. It consists of three controllers: a main controller, a slider and a button. The controllers can easily be placed on the screen of your device providing you with an intuitive, comfortable and easy to use interface.
What does it do
The app enables users to control multiple homekit accessories from their iOS devices or Apple watch. This is useful in several scenarios such as when you are watching TV, cooking
- For All Lights (e.g. lamps, ceiling lights)
- For specific devices (e.g. washing machine, TV)
- Miscellaneous devices (e.g. moving boxes, lightning)
The following devices can be controlled:
- AC
- Apple TV 4th Generation
- Electric Blinds & Curtains
- Bluetooth Speakers – Bose SoundTouch, Denon Heos 1&3,ZonePlayer 120/121/122, Sonos: ZP90, ZP120, ZP100, ZPS3
- Cameras – D-Link DCS-5222L/DCS-5300L (USB & ONVIF), Panasonic Network Camera
- Door Locks – Kevo (2nd Generation) and Goji by August Smart Lock
- Energy – Aeon Labs Aeotec DSC06106-ZWUS, Elgato Eve Energy
- Entertainment Devices (TV, Airplay Speakers …)
- Garage Doors & Gates – Chamberlain WD1000WF and Ranex WR02X10100
- Heating / Cooling – Tado
- Home Theatre – Sony STR-DN1040
- Locks and Alarms (e.g. Picard, DSC)
- Media Streamers (e.g. Apple TV, WDTV)
- Miscellaneous Devices (e.g. Koogeek: PM1, PM2; IHome: iAVS16, iAVS19; Vocolinc: P1)
- Music – Yamaha RX-V677 AV Receiver (Network, Airplay), Onkyo TXNR626 (Network, Airplay), Apple TV 4th Generation (Airplay), Bose SoundTouch (Network, Airplay) Sonos: ZP90 (Network, Airplay), ZP120 (Network, Airplay), ZP100 (Network, Airplay), ZPS3 (Network)
- Network Attached Storage – Buffalo LinkStation Pro/Live
- Outlets & Switches
- Philips Hue Lights and Lamps
- Security Systems – DSC, Picard, Nest Protect
- Smoke Detectors – Kidde: PI2010, P3010 and Fibaro: FGS-001
- Speakers – Bose SoundTouch (Network), Denon Heos 1&3 (Network), Sonos: ZP120, ZP100 and ZonePlayer 120/121/122 (Network)
- Switches – Elgato Eve Light Switch, Koogeek P1
- Thermostats – Netatmo: Healthy Home Coach and Ecobee3
Conclusion
HOME PAD is a free app which allows you to control all your homekit devices from various devices. The overall user experience of the app has been greatly improved with the second generation of controllers. In addition, this app can be used on Apple Watch and on iPhone/iPad, enhancing its multiple usability rights from anywhere in your house.
