LEGO released the 3.0 update of the Powered Up app yesterday. As we were informed previously this is an important update with long awaited features like the multi-hub support or the support for the Technic hub and the L and XL motors. Check out the features and my opinion about the update in the video:
So here’s my short written summary about the update:
What I liked:
- new cleaner main interface looks good, easy to navigate
- multi hub support really works, 4 hubs can be connected simultaneously and they can be all different kind (Boost, AAA hub, Technic hub)
- sensor data from Technic hub can be accessed and used
- multiple sensors can be used the same time, external and internal as well
- phone/tablet orientation can be used as a controller although the zero position is still a question
What I did not like:
- Biggest frustration – total lack of documentation. The app is getting super complicated, if I were a kid I would not bother trying to figure it out. This should be the number one priority to sort out.
- L & XL motors have proper speed control but steering is still laggy, absolute positioning does not work for steering
- Controller interfaces are still limited, the 2 slider one works only for tracked vehicles or the Batmobile, the joystick interface is not scaled properly on a tablet and cannot be used with the L/XL motors for steering
- The app still needs to be killed to disconnect all hubs or they have to be disconnected manually one by one
- The whole app looks like a tech demo for programmers beyond the set-specific controls. It does a lot but without any documentation and you don’t know what supposed to work and what not. It has a great potential for advanced users but totally misses the point for the ones who’d like to go one step further from the stock builds and want to add a light or a motor to a creation, it’s way too complicated.
