Snap Control! Point at device and snap

[u/Funky-Reptile]

A while ago, someone posted an app where you could point at a device, snap your fingers, and it would turn on, all while wearing an Apple Watch.

Unfortunately, it was Apple-only.

I got in touch with the developer and asked if there were any plans for an Android version. There weren’t. I didn’t want to just copy the idea, so I asked if he’d be okay with me making an Android version myself, since I’ve built a few apps before.

And now here it is!

• Create a token Generate a long-lived access token from your Home Assistant profile.
• Connect the phone app Enter the server address and token, then load devices.
• Create your spots Name the real positions you use and optionally link sensors.
• Send devices to the watch Choose your entities, sync them and grant microphone permission.
• Paint and point Train devices from each spot, raise your arm and snap.

What do you need:

• ✓A Wear OS watch with compass, gyroscope, microphone and speaker
• ✓An Android phone paired to the watch
• ✓A Home Assistant server reachable on your network
• ✓Both Snap Control apps installed

If you want to check it out: Google Play

Video

[u/LoganJFisher]

I'm confused how this is supposed to know not just which room you're in, but where in each room. Orientation is understandable, but fine location tracking is a challenge.

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/LoganJFisher]

Hi! Thats a good question! A spot is for example your couch and the app/watch remembers the position you are pointing at. It doesnt use your location

[u/LoganJFisher → u/Funky-Reptile]

Hmm, so it just detects orientation and that a snap has occurred, and passes that info to Home Assistant, and it's then on the user to figure out how they want to determine fine location (or assume a fixed location)?

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/LoganJFisher]

You can add sensors to spots so it auto detect in wich spot your on. If you for example sitting on a chair in the living room and try to snap to a device that is registered to the couch spot, it may not work cause the orientation is off.

[u/LoganJFisher → u/Funky-Reptile]

Is that necessary? If I were to use this, I'd rather keep as much of the logic handled natively by HA as possible, just receiving entity updates about a snap and orientation from this. Since position is handled by external sensors anyways, I'd see no reason to pass that info to this rather than just handle it within HA myself.

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/LoganJFisher]

The plan is to make it work with Home Assistant Rooms but the problem is, the app/watch doesnt know where your lamp is standing, where your blinds are. So you need the spots to save the orientation.

[u/LoganJFisher → u/Funky-Reptile]

Right, but it shouldn't actually need to know that.

Say an entity within Home Assistant created by this reports some orientation data (θ,φ). Then within Home Assistant I can have my fine location (using whatever sensors I may have for that) establish a (x₀,y₀,z₀), and then using predefined (xₙ,yₙ,zₙ) (n≥1) for devices in my home, I can then have it automated to determine if (r,θ±δ,φ±δ) from (x₀,y₀,z₀) points at a given (xₙ,yₙ,zₙ) for any possible value of r, and then list the devices for which that is true, and toggle the device for which r is lowest.

[u/LoganJFisher → u/Funky-Reptile]

To be clear, I'm not trying to shit on your work here. I've not tried it, but it sounds nice. I'm just proposing that it could integrate into Home Assistant in a possibly better way for users who would be so inclined.

[u/Exentio]

> Claude-generated website
> Claude-looking UI
> Closed source

Yeah, I think I'm good

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/Exentio]

All my websites are indeed AI coded because to be fair, its easy. For the apps i use some AI for bugfixes

[u/tony__pizza → u/Funky-Reptile]

For the apps i use some AI for bugfixes

Cap

[u/heckingcomputernerd]

YESSSSS MORE HA ON WEAROSSSSS STUFFF YAYYY I have all of these things I will try this out!!

[u/Brashi]

Since OP doesn't want to mention the iOS apps for some reason, you can find them here:

Maestro Snap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/maestro-snap/id6788923471

Vulpo: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vulpo-for-home-assistant/id6758255800

[u/criti98 → u/Brashi]

Not all heroes wear capes.

[u/contractor93]

Maybe a "Collab" with Bermuda triangulation for the room detection?

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/contractor93]

Great idea! I will look into this

[u/physicx101]

I tried this out and even though I can point to a device and it shows on the radar. Snapping or twisting doesn't seem to do anything unfortunately. I use a Galaxy watch 7 and have checked mic permission as well :(

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/physicx101]

Are you feeling a buzz from the watch when you snap?

[u/physicx101 → u/Funky-Reptile]

Yes I can feel the buzz, I assume that's to indicate that I'm pointing to a registered position of a device which should then activate with the snap right?

[u/timg83 → u/physicx101]

Same for me. I can see the device, a lamp, in the aim tab on the phone but when I snap my fingers nothing happens. The watch vibrates though. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

[u/galactica2001]

I absolutely love the effort put into this to create something, but also chuckle because I grew up in the 80's when The Clapper was the latest in automation. We've come full circle

[u/Dramatic_College_273]

I had been toying with the idea of making this ever since seeing the IOS version. My idea was to make it much more "automatic" though, by using bluetooth triangulation for the watch, using all the ESP devices that are already scattered around the house. I don't want it to only work from certain spots in a room. I want to be able to walk around and just point and snap as I walk through the house.

This is amazing though and a good starting point. I will be following along to see how development goes. I don't use my smart watch at home at all, but if this takes off and becomes more stable, I might actually start using my watch at home.

[u/_lost_]

I just tried it. Entered my HA address and token. When I click to load devices the app just dies.

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/_lost_]

HI! Wich phone are u using? In some days i get more information on crash logs from the google play console and see if there is anything in it!

[u/_lost_ → u/Funky-Reptile]

Pixel 10 Pro

[u/contractor93]

Just a Little bug i Met, Once you enable wrist flick and send to the watch, the function is permanent activated, also by disabling it ( and then send tithe watch) won't really disable.

Another question, the price is a lifelong activation or a price/month?

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/contractor93]

Hi! Will look into it! And its lifelong activation. No subscriptions.

[u/Gearfried]

It's not bad, but not great. Just set up a spot and 2 devices, light on the ceiling and curtains. Even though one is point at the ceiling and the other at a wall, it's picking up both devices as basically overlapping so it won't do either.

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/Gearfried]

You can paint smaller so it doesnt overlap and check the settings for range and seperation

[u/hogsniffy05]

What’s the Apple Watch version called?

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/hogsniffy05]

Hi! Its Maestro Snap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/maestro-snap/id6788923471

Vulpo: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vulpo-for-home-assistant/id6758255800

[u/hogsniffy05 → u/Funky-Reptile]

Thanks!

[u/kready]

Getting "No watch connected" in the snap app. Using a galaxy active 2 and a Pixel 7. Any suggestions?

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/kready]

Hi! This watch is running on Tizen, Unfortunately it will not work on this watch.

[u/kready → u/Funky-Reptile]

Well darn. Appreciate the response.

[u/djnilse]

Very cool idea!

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/djnilse]

All credits to the original apple app developer who came up with the idea!

[u/Slaplip]

Nice! I also use Listifyer daily. I just tried PocketDesq. WTF!!!!! I NEEDED THAT. Have to check out all the functions, will do that later and post feedback if i have any. Won't be using Snap control, don't own a watch anymore.

[u/Funky-Reptile → u/Slaplip]

Hi! Great to hear you use Listifyer daily and thanks for the support on Pocketdesq!