I am the developer of Home Flash for HomeKit, designed to take advantage of the HomeKit lights in our homes for communication purposes - my app works great for calling the kids to dinner, but I'm currently exploring the accessibility uses, and finding the API support lacking in a few places. Consider the following:
My example user is my father - in his 70's, and having difficulty hearing. He has had hearing aids for years, but the only place I have ever seen them are charging on the counter - I have never seen him use them. Additionally, he does not have his iPhone or iPad on him at all times (I know, I don't understand it either :) )
I would like to be able to use some strategically placed smart bulbs in his office and in the living room to be able to help communicate with him. I can do this today verbally using Siri, so my mother can say "Hey Siri, Get Dad", and have the lights pulse or flash -- setting this up can be done in the app, and my app can guide the user through it.
The following two scenarios cannot be setup through the app, and in once can't be setup at all:
Flash a light when a text/email/call is received from a specific person - this would be useful to signal to him that one of his kids and/or friends is trying to communicate with him. NOTE: This CAN be done via the Shortcuts app in iOS 14, but with a huge caveat -- my dad needs to configure it himself, which he will NOT do. I could set this up for him myself, but I am hesitant to do so, because if he ever wants to adjust it or turn it off, he likely would not -- instead, I believe he would get frustrated, and just remove the light bulbs.
FEATURE REQUEST #1 - provide an API similar to the HomeKit ActionSet API to be able to programmatically create Shortcut automations.
Scenario 2:
Trigger Siri Intents from HomeKit triggers. This would be ideal for signaling that someone is at the door, however it is currently not possible. I am aware that it's possible to program a shortcut to flash a light via the Shortcuts app, but my father doesn't even know the Shortcuts app exists, much less is he likely to figure this out. I understand in iOS 14 that the HomePod and Apple TV will be able to announce visitors at the door with an HSV-compliant doorbell, but my dad has neither of these products, nor is he interested in buying them (it would also raise the cost of such a solution significantly).
FEATURE REQUEST #2 - allow a HomeKit trigger (Button Press, Accessory is Controlled or Sensor Detects Something) to trigger Siri Intents in 3rd party apps.
