Old question, but maybe there are others interested:
https://www.developers.meethue.com/documentat...

In short: A DIY solution with which you can build your own remote control. For example, you can take a Raspberry Pi, let it connect to your WiFi and control everything with a few buttons you've made.

But I still have to test the whole thing myself.

With the Philips Hue Tap Switch (2nd generation) you can call up 4 preset scenes, which is quite practical. Hue can also be controlled with the Harmony remote control from Logitech, but I have never tested it.

No. The colour and intensity can be controlled to some extent with the button on the back. But - for me - it's quite cumbersome. What would be possible, of course, is an initial programming with the app for a hue-tap. You can then programme 4 scenes.
But the app offers by far the best and simplest way of controlling the lamps. The data that is exchanged with Philips can be limited relatively well. Otherwise, there are also third-party apps. Hope the answer is sufficient...