The Wink home automation thread

[scottwilliams33]

All

Thanks in advance for your response

I am trying to have my WINK know when I am home and do things based on that. Specifically I want to use the door and motion sensors to alert me and ring a siren when I am not home if they are triggered but NOT to do so if I am home. I see WINK can be told when I am home in the robot using my location , but I cannot use that to activate or deactivate the door and motion sensors. I would not even mind selecting something to tell it I am home and have the motion and door sensors stop alerting me.

If I could set a variable in WINK, I cold use that to signal I am home or not if the robot can use that variable in the robot.

In a sentence, I am looking for if/then/else, Does WINK do that or am I missing something?

Thanks
Scott

 

[dennisj00]

Just picked up the Pivot Power from Walmart and other than the incredibly bad experience at Walmart (isn't it always?), I'm impressed with it. Wish I had ordered 2. It's back to $30 which is still a good deal considering the cost of other powered outlets (2).

Scanning the bar-code said it wasn't supported, but it was in the list and synched on the second try. Almost everything I've had other than GE bulbs have taken 2 or more tries.

 

[supergimp]

Most of what I have is "unapproved" Z-wave stuff. Some of it was a little bit of a pain to get to pair initially and you don't necessarily get all of the functionality but don't think that I've had anything that I couldn't get to work at all yet.

How are you trying to pair it? Did you try excluding it first and then trying to include?

Curious if you could give more detail on this. I have Intermatic HA06 in-wall dimmers all over my house and they show up under the HUB (not on the home page) as "Unknown Zwave Device." with a toggle next to them. The toggle works to turn the light on and off (no dimming but that's ok for now) but that's about it.

Can you elaborate on whether or not you can get unapproved devices to show up so that you can assign them to groups or shortcuts, etc? As far as I can tell, the only way to control unapproved devices is to go to the Hub page and toggle them manually.

TIA.

 

[Mike A.]

Curious if you could give more detail on this. I have Intermatic HA06 in-wall dimmers all over my house and they show up under the HUB (not on the home page) as "Unknown Zwave Device." with a toggle next to them. The toggle works to turn the light on and off (no dimming but that's ok for now) but that's about it.

Can you elaborate on whether or not you can get unapproved devices to show up so that you can assign them to groups or shortcuts, etc? As far as I can tell, the only way to control unapproved devices is to go to the Hub page and toggle them manually.

TIA.

I think that it comes down to the distinction between "Unknown" and how I was using "unapproved" (i.e., not a device on the list and officially supported by Wink).

If they're coming up in the hub section as Unknown Zwave Device then they are joined to the Z-wave net but I don't think that Wink understands what to do with them beyond just defaulting to a simple binary on/off. e.g., a GE remote that I have which can function as a secondary controller comes up in that way. It is paired to the network but I can't do anything as far as any control of it from Wink. Even though it doesn't make much sense and obviously does nothing in its case, Wink still has the on/off toggle for it.

In contrast, a generic Z-wave device which is "unapproved" (e.g., various Aeon, GE, Evolve, Linear, and other switches and devices that I have) but which can be paired and recognized to be whatever it is (e.g., binary switch, sensor, etc.) do come up in the regular list of devices and can be used in the same way as anything else subject to whatever limitations exist for that type of device.

I've not used the Intermatic dimmers but generally you need to find a way to get the dimmers to be recognized as dimmers/switches under the light section. I've had to do things differently for various devices. In some cases they show up as generic binary Z-wave devices after going through the Z-wave exclude/include under the hub section. Sometimes using the Z-wave switch selection under lights. For the Aeon in-wall dimmer modules I think that I had to pair them as Leviton dimmers in order to get the dimming functions. The GE switches I've done both directly and as Leviton switches. The outdoor modules I think just paired directly. Etc., etc.

 

[geekbox]

I really need couple of Quirky Overflow sensors, where can I buy or any other alternative suggestion which is wink compatible?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I really need couple of Quirky Overflow sensors, where can I buy or any other alternative suggestion which is wink compatible?

If you have local Meijer stores around you, check there. I bought 4 Overflows from 2 Meijer stores near me (sold two of them). Not aware of any other compatible device though I did see there was a hack to make Trippers water sensors (might be on Youtube).

 

[colinnwn]

I really need couple of Quirky Overflow sensors, where can I buy or any other alternative suggestion which is wink compatible?

Based on my experience with ZigBee Trippers, I wouldn't trust an Overflow to work when you need it to , unless this is just for amusement or non important advisory.

 

[MjnMixael]

i have 2 Overflows that have worked flawlessly.. and saved me $$$ in replacing a carpet.

 

[aosmer]

For those who haven't seen yet, looks like Ben is out as CEO.
http://blog.quirky.com/home/2015/7/31/the-least-important-ex-ceo

 

[Mike A.]

Lots more out too. That's in addition to closing the San Fran facility and the earlier lay-offs.

Not clear from that article what his role will be re Wink.

Quirky, the Silicon Alley invention company whose blue-chip backers include General Electric and Andreessen Horowitz, will lay off 109 employees from its West 28th Street headquarters and another two from its offices in Schenectady, according to a New York State Labor Department notice.

The layoffs will occur between July 31 and Aug. 14, according to the July 24 notice.

Reports have circulated in recent days that jobs cuts were already taking place as the company scrambled to find new backing for itself and its Wink subsidiary, which makes products for the connected home. Quirky has tried to sell the unit but has been unsuccessful.

Two weeks ago, Quirky CEO Ben Kaufman told Fortune that the company had only $12 million left and was considering a number of rescue possibilities, including further fundraising for both companies or a sale of both.

A Quirky spokeswoman did not respond immediately to an email requesting comment.

Mr. Kaufman was a Crain's 40 Under 40 honoree in 2013.

 

[JFHughes08088]

He has no role at wink. He out.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I'm afraid it is too little, too late IMO. Maybe if they would've canned Ben six months ago, things would be different.

 

[3dron]

Looking for a GoControl siren if anyone has one to sell. I was think $20 is fair plus $5 for shipping, based one the 5 piece set is $100. Let me know here or private message me. Thanks

 

[Kaido]

Curious to see what happens next at Wink. I appreciate Ben for starting it up & sticking it out, despite being a rocky road. Remember: no one else really succeed before this. Vera? Pshh. Plus, Wink is like 90% of the way there: it exists, it's affordable, it has multiple radios supporting a variety of devices, it has smartphone apps...mostly it needs local control, and then some extra features like Windows phone support, maybe integration into Xbox & Playstation for convenience, a web GUI, etc., but I've been pretty happy with my system lately. TBH, if they add local control to eliminate the lag time, I don't know if I'd switch over to STv2.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Curious to see what happens next at Wink. I appreciate Ben for starting it up & sticking it out, despite being a rocky road. Remember: no one else really succeed before this. Vera? Pshh. Plus, Wink is like 90% of the way there: it exists, it's affordable, it has multiple radios supporting a variety of devices, it has smartphone apps...mostly it needs local control, and then some extra features like Windows phone support, maybe integration into Xbox & Playstation for convenience, a web GUI, etc., but I've been pretty happy with my system lately. TBH, if they add local control to eliminate the lag time, I don't know if I'd switch over to STv2.

Yeah, I agree with everything you wrote. The product is too far along to simply let it die IMO. I'd love to see Amazon buy it, but any number of buyers could purchase it. I really HOPE, however, that a product or technology company buys it rather than a VC firm or something along those lines.

Speaking of STv2, where on earth is it? I believe they initially said it would be released in Q3 but I haven't heard ANY new information about a specific release date and we're already into the second month of Q3.

 

[CAL7]

I have a lot of hope placed in the prospect of STv2, so it pains me to be critical... but, at least to this point in time, it is the quintessential vaporware. Almost no talk about it in the community. If it were a smaller company than Samsung, I'd have to say it's never coming. The classic response is "I'd rather they take their time and get it right", but really, where is it? Where, even, are updates or speculation?

 

[Kaido]

Yeah, I agree with everything you wrote. The product is too far along to simply let it die IMO. I'd love to see Amazon buy it, but any number of buyers could purchase it. I really HOPE, however, that a product or technology company buys it rather than a VC firm or something along those lines.

Speaking of STv2, where on earth is it? I believe they initially said it would be released in Q3 but I haven't heard ANY new information about a specific release date and we're already into the second month of Q3.

The only news I've seen lately is that Samsung joined the ZigBee Alliance board:

http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/story/samsungs-smartthings-joins-zigbee-alliance-board/2015-08-03

 

[matt-wink]

Hey Gang, I’m sure many of you have read some of the recent media coverage regarding the future of Quirky.

I'd like to take a moment to address any concerns regarding Wink. We are not affected by the recent changes at Quirky. As many of you know, soon after Quirky launched Wink last summer, we began operating as a separate business. The mission of Wink was to make the smart home accessible and bring some of the best brands together in one single platform (including Quirky products).

For some time, Wink has been working towards a financing structure that will let us operate completely independently from Quirky. This will allow us to continue simplifying the smart home and provide the single best experience to our customers. We hope to have some good news on this front very soon.

We are inspired by your continued support and excited to offer more amazing brands and features for your smart home. We are listening and truly appreciate your feedback, ideas, and passion. Keep it coming!

 

[MjnMixael]

Thanks Matt! That's good to hear.

I can't say anything specific and I certainly don't know anything about Wink's financials.. but as far as the platform goes, I'm pretty excited about what we're seeing come down the pipeline!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Hey Gang, I’m sure many of you have read some of the recent media coverage regarding the future of Quirky.

I'd like to take a moment to address any concerns regarding Wink. We are not affected by the recent changes at Quirky. As many of you know, soon after Quirky launched Wink last summer, we began operating as a separate business. The mission of Wink was to make the smart home accessible and bring some of the best brands together in one single platform (including Quirky products).

For some time, Wink has been working towards a financing structure that will let us operate completely independently from Quirky. This will allow us to continue simplifying the smart home and provide the single best experience to our customers. We hope to have some good news on this front very soon.

We are inspired by your continued support and excited to offer more amazing brands and features for your smart home. We are listening and truly appreciate your feedback, ideas, and passion. Keep it coming!

You asked, so I'll give some thoughts/questions:

1. Before you discontinued many of your products (for example, Overflow), why wasn't support for a third-party alternative added? This would've helped tremendously and should be a top goal of yours IMO.

2. Can you clarify exactly which products have NOT been discontinued outside of the hub?

3. Can you give us an ETA for local control instead of "coming soon"?

4. Any news on support for devices from Aeon Labs?

Thanks! I've been very pleased with Wink lately and really hope you guys can pull some funding together and flourish.

 

[wagohn]

Thanks! I've been very pleased with Wink lately and really hope you guys can pull some funding together and flourish.

+1 - Originally I complained of the unreliability of turning on lights etc, but for the last month or so Wink has performed pretty good.

Even my wife has noticed how nice it is to have our lights on a reliable schedule for dawn/dusk and 'on vacation'.

If my wife is noticing my geek hobby, something is working OK.

 

[matt-wink]

1) Sorry, I know that is very frustrating. As I mentioned, Quirky and Wink have been operating independently. Those products were Quirky products and our team was not involved in those decisions. Wink is working with many leading brands to add similar products like a water sensor, leak sensor, and shut-off valve.

2) The only Quirky products that were discontinued are Norm thermostat and Ascend garage door opener. The other products may continued to be manufactured by a new company. I can't share any other details at this time. Wink will continue to provide support for any products previously integrated.

3) I can't give exact details on local control but our goal is to deliver it this summer.

4) Many of the Aeon Labs products work with Wink through generic Z-Wave support. Are there any specific products you'd like to see integrated with Wink? It also helps for you to request Wink support from the manufacturers directly. When they hear from their customers to partner with Wink, it makes everything a little easier.

5) Great. We truly are listening and making enhancements every day. We know there have been some ups and downs and appreciate your continued support and passion.

 

[matt-wink]

+1 - Originally I complained of the unreliability of turning on lights etc, but for the last month or so Wink has performed pretty good.

Even my wife has noticed how nice it is to have our lights on a reliable schedule for dawn/dusk and 'on vacation'.

If my wife is noticing my geek hobby, something is working OK.

That is great news! Have you tried out Amazon Echo? That is a game changer. Controlling products with your voice is way more fun and natural than I thought it would be.

 

[jlslate]

One of the products I keep hoping gets supported is the GE GeoSpring hot water heater. I bought the module for it as it says on the box that it is compatible with Wink. Alas, that is not yet true. Adjusting your water heater seems more useful than anything you might do with your fridge. And that has been supported for a long time.

Also, having a global command like Away and Home so you can turn on and off Robots. It is a pain now to turn on a bunch of robots when on vacation.

 

[wagohn]

That is great news! Have you tried out Amazon Echo? That is a game changer. Controlling products with your voice is way more fun and natural than I thought it would be.

I have one on my wishlist but I think they are a little pricey right now. I missed the $99 price a few weeks ago but am ready to pounce when it comes around again.