Sadly, it doesn't really matter where I've been hiding
Ecobee clearly doesn't have the brand name that Nest does, which is undoubtedly a big reason why Nest support came first for Wink.
So I'm torn between Zigbee and Z-wave on Wink support.
(for non certified devices)
With Zigbee, every device I add creates a "ghost" device. This has been acknowledged as an issue by Wink Support. Basically you end up with twice as many devices listed as you actually have.
With Z-Wave, none of the devices report actual status.
When I try informing Wink, they blame it on some Lutron patent that prevents status feedback. I don't buy this, because it does this when I control from the app. Switches always say on, even when I turn off on the app... a minute or so later, they say they're on again even though nothing changed. Frustrating.
Luckilly it doesn't impact robot operation, but it's annoying to not see the correct status. I suggested they check out pollster on the smartthings system but haven't received a reply.
I'm not really happy with Wink so far. I installed it and got it connected to a light and then saw there was an update. I started the install and then flipped to a browser to surf and I can't get the thing to connect again. It shows as offline in my app. Any tips? It just keeps flashing yellow though it briefly did go blue and then back to yellow again. I have pulled power on it twice and no go. I wonder if I bricked it.
EDIT: Finally got it back up and running -- I just kept rebooting it and finally I was able to connect back and add the light bulb back.
Make sure you're not near any other electronics and at least 5 feet or so from your router. That seemed to be my biggest issue with not connecting.
I suspect that might be part of my issue but even after I moved it, I couldn't get it to reconnect. I seriously thought I bricked it during an update. I deleted it and tried to add it back to the app and I could never get it to take my wi-fi PSK. Finally, it finally connected and everything seems to work now. No clue why it suddenly started working (was their server down last night?), but I can tell you one thing -- they have dumbed this device down WAY too much. I hope someone (either Wink or perhaps some Open Source initiative) build some sort of server service with a web-front end that will allow you to get into the guts of this thing and configure options.
Anyway, what kind of range can I expect for connected devices? Let's say I put a GE Link light bulb at 30 ft. straight-line distance, one floor down, and through 2-3 walls. Will that generally work? Right now, I only have the 2 GE bulbs from my starter kit but I am interested in adding more devices if this thing proves stable. House is 2 floors at roughly 3000 sq ft if that helps answer the question.
Anyway, what kind of range can I expect for connected devices? Let's say I put a GE Link light bulb at 30 ft. straight-line distance, one floor down, and through 2-3 walls. Will that generally work? Right now, I only have the 2 GE bulbs from my starter kit but I am interested in adding more devices if this thing proves stable. House is 2 floors at roughly 3000 sq ft if that helps answer the question.
I think the Wink Hub will be the downfall of it all (software is buggy at random times, no support/community forum?) but I can always buy another hub and attempt to control the lights that way I'm sure.
That's the thing. It's been out for months. It's still buggy at times. Sometimes the cloud service goes down and poof, you can't control anything in your house. That's the Achilles heel imo. It's nice when it works tho...
That's the thing. It's been out for months. It's still buggy at times. Sometimes the cloud service goes down and poof, you can't control anything in your house. That's the Achilles heel imo. It's nice when it works tho...
For my part, I'm just concentrating on lights so if the Wink product goes under, I'm not out too much and can still use the bulbs. I'll have four of the GE Link bulbs when my package is delivered Tuesday and I think I'll stop there for now. I'd live to put Hue into the living room but I don't want to make that investment yet.
It HAS been better for me the last few days but it definitely lacks robustness and begs for a web interface so those of us who are more advanced can get into the guts. As a matter-of-fact, I won't be surprised if one enterprising company such as Asus puts this sort of functionality into a high-end router. Also, I agree with the comment about lack of Wink community sites -- the Wink site itself is way too minimalistic and frankly makes me shake my head.
For my part, I'm just concentrating on lights so if the Wink product goes under, I'm not out too much and can still use the bulbs. I'll have four of the GE Link bulbs when my package is delivered Tuesday and I think I'll stop there for now. I'd love to put Hue into the living room but I don't want to make that investment yet.
It HAS been better for me the last few days but it definitely lacks robustness and begs for a web interface so those of us who are more advanced can get into the guts. As a matter-of-fact, I won't be surprised if one enterprising company such as Asus puts this sort of functionality into a high-end router. Also, I agree with the comment about lack of Wink community sites -- the Wink site itself is way too minimalistic and frankly makes me shake my head.
Not bad if you buy their gizmos, not good if you already have gizmos
Sorry guys I broke Wink today... Moved to a new router and had to redo the Wink Hub WiFi. After that wink servers went downhill... Sorry
Status.winkapp.com gives some basic details of what's happening.
Yeah, they're trying to be too modern - no instruction manual, minimal verbage on the box, etc. It has backfired on them. It currently has a 2.5-star rating on Amazon out of nearly 200 reviews. As far as compatibility goes, one review summed it up nicely:
I have also grown to dislike the Lutron Caseta switches from a usability POV. They work fine, but I like flipping a physical switch & always have to fumble for a second or two to find the switch & press the right button when I go into my bedroom. Not that it's a major hassle or anything, but because it doesn't have a lever that sticks out, it makes it hard to find in the dark. And I'm not going to pull my phone out of my pocket, slide to unlock it, open the Wink app, select the light, and turn it on just so the light can be on before I go in the room, you know? I would definitely like to see a traditional flip-switch with a smart relay in it.
If Samsung follows their usual copycat routine, then hopefully Smart Things will address the problems that Wink has in the same way the Galaxy phones have addressed what was previously missing in the Apple phones (waterproofing, big screens, removable battery, removable memory, etc. - or in our case, offline usage, less buggy GUI, broader compatibility with existing equipment standards such as Zwave, etc.).
Wow, bunch of new stuff from Quirky & GE:
http://gizmodo.com/quirky-and-ge-launch-seven-new-gadgets-to-make-your-sma-1657361846