But once somebody switches it off (with a switch), yo cannot switch it back on with the phone. It seems to me that having a home automation system that includes the light switches would be much better.
That's how similar products work. Some contain batteries to remember state. Some are full duplex and request state / update status. Some even work.
Another fun scenario: somebody crashes into a utility pole near your house, the power flickers, all your lights come on, the ceiling fans spin up 100%, and the ashes from your fireplace are distributed all over your house.
Or the lightning strike. Computer works, internet works, can't turn on any lights.
Visit a home automation forum for these and other tales of nerd homes gone bad.