The Wink home automation thread

[IndyColtsFan]

I don't know they're going to replace it. From the email, it sounds like they're going to re-flash the existing hub. That would make more sense since I imagine that could in theory get around the "you now have to re-pair every single item you have to your hub" drill.

Of course if you had a rooted hub, you're probably out of luck since this "update" would probably kill the root.

Yes, they are repairing the hub you send them and sending it back. A complete and total wreck that will likely result in additional delays.

 

[Kaido]

It sucks that I have to get my hub fixed up... but I'm a big boy. I can get up off the couch to turn the lights off for a few days.

The good news is that we absolutely got confirmation that a highly requested feature is actively being worked on. (Local control)

Kaido, what was on your list of things you want for Wink? Local control, WinPhone support... what else? (Aside from outages )

Honestly, though... we haven't seen outages like this since September of last year. In fact, amidst all the negatives, I like to tally the positives. Since September we saw increased stability (until today), better lock control (battery status, code management), door sensors, motion sensors, water sensors, new products (tripper, tapt, outlink, to name a few), consistent hub and app upgrades, IFTTT support, etc. We've got Hue coming to robots soon, local control, there are some neat user experience things coming to the app soon.

My last wish list item that is still unaddressed is a hub with an ethernet port.

My point is, though, that this is a very fast moving company and they have done more in the last 8 months than most of the other tech companies I follow have done combined. So with that in mind, I'm unashamedly sticking with Wink for a while longer.

Well, to preface, I think we can only ask for what they advertise. I mean, we can ask for more features, but we should, at the bare minimum, expect what they advertise. There's a million things I want, but if Wink hasn't publicly said they're going to offer those features, then I can't really complain too much because I knew what I was buying going into it. Like you said, we now have confirmation that local control is on the list of upcoming features, which I think could be a big gamechanger in Wink's performance. Did a quick search & pulled up this post from last year:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=36907359&postcount=399

Yeah, I think they still have some growing to do. For the Hub v1:

1. Add Windows phone app
2. Add tablet-sized apps for Android & iOS
3. Add Web GUI
4. Add offline functionality
5. Add an online community forum
6. Add a developer API, including a publicly-accessible one for end-users who want to write plug-ins for their own hardware (like Arduino gadgets)
7. Fix the app to open to your Favorites/Shortcuts screen for quick access to common commands

For Hub v2:

1. Add Ethernet
2. Add better packaging & printed instructions

For products:

1. Wink doorbell
2. Center-sprung flip lightswitch

After seeing the Nucleus Intercom, I think Wink has an opportunity to enhance their intercom with a v2 Relay in the same style (larger touchpad with a camera, basically an on-wall tablet with the Spotter UNIQ built-in), particularly if they could integrate something like an amplifier for easily adding in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, along with the full radio suite that the Wink Hub has. So imagine a product like this - the "Relay v2":

1. 10" color touchscreen
2. Camera with slide-over privacy cover
3. Full suite of Spotter UNIQ sensors (temperature, humidity, sound, light, PIR for motion)
4. Full suite of Wink Hub radios (Kidde, Lutron, Zwave, Zigbee, etc.)
5. Amplifier & pre-outs (with DLNA, Airplay, etc.)

That would let them compete with Sonos, Apple, Amazon's Echo, and a variety of other things. Slap one of those in every room with some ceiling speakers & voila...the most complete DIY smarthome system on the planet. Patent, please :biggrin:

I think my top picks would be:

1. Local control (announced)
2. Web GUI (available unofficially...great if you're sitting at your computer)
3. Official support forum

They could make the forum hidden from public view, so you have to be registered to login there, which would help minimize publicly-visible issues & limit damage control (re: the recent Facebook incident), but also provide an official outlet for users to correspond with support. This thread is 80+ pages long already...even I forget what's been posted sometimes

Like you said...they've been consistent with updates, we haven't had a major outage in awhile, and they're not only fixing it but also giving out a coupon. They made a mistake, but they are taking responsibility for it. Even Netflix goes down sometimes. I totally understand if some people want to jump ship; this may be the straw that breaks the camel's back for a number of people, which is understandable. But, I only paid a buck for the hub, most of my stuff is cross-compatible with Vera/STv1/Homeseer/whatever so I'm not totally stuck with Wink, and there's really no better option out there right now, so...it is what it is. I'll look into STv2 once it (1) comes out, and (2) has been proven to work better than Wink. Until then, I'll keep on trucking with Wink.

 

[Kaido]

Usually bricking hardware "auto-magically" for your customers earns a company some media coverage in the tech press.

I wouldn't mind if they offered a local flash option for tech-oriented users, i.e. a Win/Mac app that would flash it over the network. I'd prefer not to mail mine back...

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I wouldn't mind if they offered a local flash option for tech-oriented users, i.e. a Win/Mac app that would flash it over the network. I'd prefer not to mail mine back...

This. Once again, Wink going to extremes to overly dumb something down is costing them and this time, they're getting hit hard in the press and their bottom line is going to take a hit. I'm sure both Home Depot and GE are flabbergasted.

 

[Kaido]

This. Once again, Wink going to extremes to overly dumb something down is costing them and this time, they're getting hit hard in the press and their bottom line is going to take a hit. I'm sure both Home Depot and GE are flabbergasted.

Eh, I've worked in retail before, big companies are used to this kind of thing. Suspending retail sales for a week isn't actually as big of a deal as it sounds. I appreciate that they're trying to clean up their mess quickly. Problems happen...they are dealing with it. Netflix literally just went down the other day for me (New England outage), so no one is perfect unfortunately.

I'd still like to see an Ethernet version of the Hub, which I think would help out with end-user issues. Plus, a lot of us have those cheap Foscam webcams, which have an IP scanner app to find it on your network, web-based firmware updater, etc., and that's basically a Chinese knockoff product, so it'd be nice if a product sold at Home Depot in America had at least that level of functionality. I agree, it's overly simplified...could be improved.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Eh, I've worked in retail before, big companies are used to this kind of thing. Suspending retail sales for a week isn't actually as big of a deal as it sounds. I appreciate that they're trying to clean up their mess quickly. Problems happen...they are dealing with it. Netflix literally just went down the other day for me (New England outage), so no one is perfect unfortunately.

I'd still like to see an Ethernet version of the Hub, which I think would help out with end-user issues. Plus, a lot of us have those cheap Foscam webcams, which have an IP scanner app to find it on your network, web-based firmware updater, etc., and that's basically a Chinese knockoff product, so it'd be nice if a product sold at Home Depot in America had at least that level of functionality. I agree, it's overly simplified...could be improved.

Product recalls are one thing. This goes way beyond that, especially with the fireworks on FB last night.

 

[dgruhin]

You would think it should be possible for Wink to get an App Update for iOS and Android that would allow you to repair a hub using the bluetooth connection process and at the same time update the firmware via bluetooth to fix this problem which would save in shipping time.

I would gladly repair and setup all my devices again and I have 5 GE Link Bulbs, 10 Casettas, 2 Pivot Powers, A Chamberlain Garage Door, The Rachio Iro, 3 nests protects, a honeywell thermostat, a Wink Relay and 4 sets of tripper with over a dozen robots and 3 shortcuts.

Even having to do that would most certainly be faster than waiting for an empty box to arrive, then shipping back the 2 bricked hubs I have, waiting for them to get to Wink, waiting for Wink to get them re-flashed, and then shipped back out.

Depending on how many of these they have sold over the last 1.5 years it could easily be a month before I see my hubs again.

As an alternative, things like my Routers all have local recovery mode when they get bricked. The Wink Hub obviously is connected our local WIFI. Why not release a software tool to flash the device locally? Honestly WINK, at this point who cares if people can root your devices? Clearly those are the people you need evaluating and testing your hardware.

On the upside, my Lutron lights and Picos are still working without the hub even plugged in so at worst my automation loss tolerable, but what a joke. If I didn't have so much money invested in "Wink Compatible Devices" I would be gone, as this is just amateur hour.

 

[FreddieT]

Wink is in full out damage control mode at this point. Depending on the number of hubs they will inundated with it's hard to say what the turn around time will be for when our hubs are returned.

For me, I'm leaving for two weeks tomorrow so I'll be replacing my expensive smart/dumb GE Link bulbs with TCP Connected bulbs today so my house will at least will have that lived in look while I'm gone. So it will be two weeks before I even get the chance to send my hub in, which means it'll be at the back of the re-flash bus!

Bottom line here is when the dust settles after this debacle (it it ever does), those still using the Wink platform can be considered a dedicated Wink user!

 

[dgruhin]

Honestly they need to provide a way to update to fix this without sending in a hub. Minimally on a NIB unit. You can connect directly to the device's Wifi AP out of the box, and ping the device at 192.168.0.1.

It should be possible to make a flashing tool to unbrick the device and push new firmware locally.

 

[Yuriman]

They said on twitter the code was being abused so they had to nuke it (which makes sense since it pretty much gave everyone $50 free).

The tweet: http://twitter.com/TheWinkApp/status/589672910631079936

Yep.

Gift code to users was abused. We had to deactivate. You'll receive an individualized $50 code within 24 hr of submitting hub replace form.

Unfortunately I'm moving in 2 weeks, and doubt this will all be processed and finished within that time.

On the bright side, it looks like I can get a GE starter kit from Wink with the gift card, so I won't need the Wink hub.

 

[enyce9]

Just woke up to all of this mess, I have one hub I'm currently using, and a spare that is unopened, I was contimplating rooting. What do I do with the unopened hub?

 

[dgruhin]

My unopened hub has firmware too new to root and it is bricked basically out of the box.

It will be sent back as well.

 

[FreddieT]

Honestly they need to provide a way to update to fix this without sending in a hub. Minimally on a NIB unit. You can connect directly to the device's Wifi AP out of the box, and ping the device at 192.168.0.1.

It should be possible to make a flashing tool to unbrick the device and push new firmware locally.

It's obvious Wink doesn't want their code out in the wild, so I doubt they will offer a way to unbrick the hubs locally. We can just add this round of inconvenience and hoop jumping to the already well known inconvenience of doing the Wink un-pair/re-pair routine of our devices

 

[enyce9]

I'm not sure what firmware the unopened unit has on it, I guess I'll just send it in as well...

 

[dgruhin]

Assuming releasing a flashing tool would put their code out in the wild, a way to update the Wink Hubs via Bluetooth from within the Wink App on a mobile device should be doable. And would make sense to implement going forward to prevent idiotic debacles like this from happening in the future.

 

[CAL7]

I have an EcoLink motion sensor that works great. (I love now how there is an option in Wink that 'No Motion' can result in an action now).

Anyway, I bought a 2nd EcoLink motion sensor and it just doesn't work. I have it set to message me in case it does work. With the cover off, the light is RED so there is power. When the small black button is pressed in, or when the cover is on, no motion or SHAKING will get the red light to blink. I had it work for a few minutes and it sent me texts through Wink. Now, nothing.

I don't think it's Wink but I thought I'd ask. The sensor just doesn't give me any indication that it is picking up motion. There is no red light blink.

Any ideas? The web doesn't really show anything for this in searches.

Thanks!

Too bad your question got caught up in all the insanity. I have one Ecolink that suffers identically. I was able to initially pair it (several months ago), but then it became un-paired within a few days and nothing I do will bring it back. Similar issues with the red light made me think it was defective, so I called Ecolink. See my post a few back (#2000) about my conversation with their engineer.

He gave me a strange answer, which Wink denies, about Wink blocking their devices. I don't know what the truth is: hardware, Wink, whatever...

If you figure it out, please let me know.

 

[dgruhin]

So does anyone have a hub that survived "The Wink of Death" yesterday?

I am wondering why some would have survived and others would have died. It doesn't seem like those running with .82 were saved.

If your Hub still works could you provide some details as to what Firmware you have?

 

[FreddieT]

Assuming releasing a flashing tool would put their code out in the wild, a way to update the Wink Hubs via Bluetooth from within the Wink App on a mobile device should be doable. And would make sense to implement going forward to prevent idiotic debacles like this from happening in the future.

I agree. It should be doable. But on the other hand, they might not have the resources to implement such a fix. For all we know there could have been an all out full scale mutiny by the code writers or a clean sweep of the department personnel after last night? Hard to say, but I'm sure it would be safe to assume that at least a few pink slips were handed out.

On a PR note, it seems Winks troubles will only deepen until they can get a grip on their nightmare they created. I just got back from picking up some TCP connected bulbs to replace my GE Links at my local HD and noticed they still had Wink hubs on the shelf. I was surprised at this because Wink has said they are pulling all hubs off retail shelves until this debacle can be rectified. I flagged down a supervisor and asked if she heard of the recall. She said that she hadn't, and knows for a fact that they already sold two units today.

 

[CAL7]

So does anyone have a hub that survived "The Wink of Death" yesterday?

I am wondering why some would have survived and others would have died. It doesn't seem like those running with .82 were saved.

If your Hub still works could you provide some details as to what Firmware you have?

Mine died. At 0.77. Not knowing about the admonition not to reboot, I powered it down mid-day. Maybe that's why.

 

[causeIcan]

Having had HA / HC starting in ~1992 with X-10 and now Vera / Wink. Wink is without a doubt the least reliable, then this crap show. I was going to write pages of bla, bla, bla but decided to just say: In all my time of having HA/HC Wink is the most expensive system in terms of MY time spent re-pairing and potential losses due to lighting for security not working. There is the reason the HUB was FREE because its worthless. At my business 2 years ago I replaced 8 outdoor lights on a timer with LEDS. This timer switch had worked RELIABLY EVERY DAY for 12 years. 2 months ago I said "let me get a wink hub" since "sunrise/sunset" was coming and a leviton zwave switch. BIG WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME. in 2 months. In 2 months I have gotten 3 calls from the PD informing me that the lights were off. Now today I find the HUB is bricked so now i have to leave the lights on.

Marketing is the game. Wink marketed and beat out better products. People see FREE and jump right in. Me included. I'm glad my Vera is up and running to handle climate control and I will be getting rid of everything wink and putting it back on Vera. I hope this pisses of enough people they find other solutions also.

 

[FreddieT]

Mine died. At 0.77. Not knowing about the admonition not to reboot, I powered it down mid-day. Maybe that's why.

Mine as well was at 0.77. I power cycled mine a few times prior to "hearing through the grapevine" that the hubs shouldn't be powered down.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Having had HA / HC starting in ~1992 with X-10 and now Vera / Wink. Wink is without a doubt the least reliable, then this crap show. I was going to write pages of bla, bla, bla but decided to just say: In all my time of having HA/HC Wink is the most expensive system in terms of MY time spent re-pairing and potential losses due to lighting for security not working. There is the reason the HUB was FREE because its worthless. At my business 2 years ago I replaced 8 outdoor lights on a timer with LEDS. This timer switch had worked RELIABLY EVERY DAY for 12 years. 2 months ago I said "let me get a wink hub" since "sunrise/sunset" was coming and a leviton zwave switch. BIG WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME. in 2 months. In 2 months I have gotten 3 calls from the PD informing me that the lights were off. Now today I find the HUB is bricked so now i have to leave the lights on.

Marketing is the game. Wink marketed and beat out better products. People see FREE and jump right in. Me included. I'm glad my Vera is up and running to handle climate control and I will be getting rid of everything wink and putting it back on Vera. I hope this pisses of enough people they find other solutions also.

Yeah I am seriously contemplating just throwing my Wink hub in the trash at this stage. Fortunately, I made it a policy long ago to only buy products that could also be used on SmartThings, so when STv2 is released, hopefully everything will move over smoothly for me.

I asked Ben Kaufman about refunds last night and he said no. So I guess I'll use that $50 credit and maybe buy an accessory and package it and the repaired hub together and sell them on eBay.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Mine as well was at 0.77. I power cycled mine a few times prior to "hearing through the grapevine" that the hubs shouldn't be powered down.

Mine is on 0.77 and I did not reboot or power it down, yet it is busted.

 

[FreddieT]

Yeah I am seriously contemplating just throwing my Wink hub in the trash at this stage. Fortunately, I made it a policy long ago to only buy products that could also be used on SmartThings, so when STv2 is released, hopefully everything will move over smoothly for me.

Mine will be destined for the trash AFTER Wink re-flashes it. It will be a small victory for me to throw it out in (supposedly) working condition.

 

[Kaido]

Wink is in full out damage control mode at this point. Depending on the number of hubs they will inundated with it's hard to say what the turn around time will be for when our hubs are returned.

For me, I'm leaving for two weeks tomorrow so I'll be replacing my expensive smart/dumb GE Link bulbs with TCP Connected bulbs today so my house will at least will have that lived in look while I'm gone. So it will be two weeks before I even get the chance to send my hub in, which means it'll be at the back of the re-flash bus!

Bottom line here is when the dust settles after this debacle (it it ever does), those still using the Wink platform can be considered a dedicated Wink user!

Haha right?

What do you even do if you have Wink setup at a vacation home or something? Man...