The Wink home automation thread

[MjnMixael]

I need to figure out this stubhub stuff. I don't really get what it is, but it looks cool. I want to integrate it into my Echo/Wink stuff.

 

[dennisj00]

Smartthings v2 is now on Amazon for delivery between September 15 and November.

At this point, I'm sticking with Wink.

 

[dennisj00]

I need to figure out this stubhub stuff. I don't really get what it is, but it looks cool. I want to integrate it into my Echo/Wink stuff.

StubHub is a great place to buy tickets for 2-3 times (or more) the price that they were originally offered for concerts / games / theatre in your area.

I assume the Echo integration announces upcoming events in your area (and links to order tickets)

 

[CAL7]

Smartthings v2 is now on Amazon for delivery between September 15 and November.

At this point, I'm sticking with Wink.

$99.00

 

[adymax]

Have you tried Craig Trunzo's winkathome.net? You can access it from any browser and can control lights with it.

Thanks. Site looks great.

 

[Mike A.]

Smartthings v2 is now on Amazon for delivery between September 15 and November.

At this point, I'm sticking with Wink.

Better deal through them directly. Same price but with two sensors.

Hello!

We’re excited to let you know that the new generation of the SmartThings Hub will be available in early September and that it’s now available for pre-order in the SmartThings Shop.

In addition to the new Hub, we’ll also be coming out with a new line of Samsung SmartThings products and an enhanced mobile app experience in the next few weeks.

To show our appreciation for being a SmartThings customer, we wanted to extend an exclusive offer to you: From today through September 30 (or while supplies last), when you purchase the new Hub, we’ll give you a free SmartSense Motion sensor and a free SmartSense Open/Closed sensor. Simply order the Customer Appreciation Bundle, use the discount code THANKYOU at checkout, and get $75 off the price of the bundle (the cost of the Motion and Open/Closed sensors).

When you receive your new Hub, you’ll need to reconnect your current devices to the new Hub and set up your SmartApps. Once the Hub ships, we’ll provide instructions to guide you through the process. (Don’t worry, you can still continue to use SmartThings in your home with the current version of the Hub if you want to.)

There’s much more exciting news to come, so please stay tuned for an official announcement in the coming weeks.

Thanks!
The SmartThings Team

I'm holding off for a while too.

 

[JFHughes08088]

So Leviton works but Lutron doesn't, or do I have it backwards? I've heard trippers do but don't know about overflows.

 

[RossMAN]

Pre-order Samsung SmartThings v2 Hub Bundle for $174 - $75 coupon = $99 with free shipping.

Includes

• Samsung SmartThings Hub
• Samsung SmartSense Motion Sensor
• Samsung SmartSense Open/Close Sensor

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2443452

Assuming this deal expires soon, I predict several "I wish I had seen that sooner ..." posts.

 

[MjnMixael]

Wink has a better deal right on their website.

Hub - $50
4 GE Lights - $60
2 Trippers - $40

...all for $100.

You don't "save as much", but you get more things. I'm wondering what can possibly be in Samsung's hub that takes place of things like Lutron and causes it to cost twice as much as a Wink hub.

Reading Smartthings community...

The smartthings hub includes three antennas (zwave, zigbee, and Bluetooth) even if only two will be turned on at launch. And requires three outside party certifications.

I can't find any good official sources about what's in the Smartthings hub, though. But looks like it will have an ethernet port and no Wifi? That should CUT costs.

http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/update-smartthings-hub-v2-hardware/

There we go. OK, some of that is nice. but $50+ for a smarter mini computer and some batteries?

Anyway, lack of Lutron with Smartthings is why I wouldn't switch. Wink has been doing very well lately and the stuff coming down the beta pipe is suuuuuper exciting. Can't wait for you guys to see it.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Wink has a better deal right on their website.

Hub - $50
4 GE Lights - $60
2 Trippers - $40

...all for $100.

You don't "save as much", but you get more things. I'm wondering what can possibly be in Samsung's hub that takes place of things like Lutron and causes it to cost twice as much as a Wink hub.

Reading Smartthings community...



I can't find any good official sources about what's in the Smartthings hub, though. But looks like it will have an ethernet port and no Wifi? That should CUT costs.

http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/update-smartthings-hub-v2-hardware/

There we go. OK, some of that is nice. but $50+ for a smarter mini computer and some batteries?

Anyway, lack of Lutron with Smartthings is why I wouldn't switch. Wink has been doing very well lately and the stuff coming down the beta pipe is suuuuuper exciting. Can't wait for you guys to see it.

Yeah, I'd prefer to stick with Wink but $99 for the STv2 bundle might be too tempting. I might go ahead and preorder it and I can cancel it, sell it off, or return it if I don't want to use it.

Are we going to get dimming via Echo for all lights? Seems to only work with certain lights now.

EDIT: Preordered the STv2 bundle. Exciting things might be coming from Wink, but I'd like to know exactly what those are and be given an actual timeline that is somewhat accurate. Like I said, I do prefer to stick with Wink but at this stage, I am hedging my bets due to their financial situation. And let's be clear -- I think HA as a whole is experiencing a lot of issues right now, so I don't think their problem is completely their fault.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

So Leviton works but Lutron doesn't, or do I have it backwards? I've heard trippers do but don't know about overflows.

My understanding is this:

1. Lutrons - do not work
2. GE Link bulbs - do work
3. Trippers - do work
4. Overflows - no idea, but I believe ST has a water sensor at about the same price as the overflows.
5. Amazon Echo - I don't believe official integration exists yet.

The lack of Lutron support is quite ridiculous to be honest. People have been screaming for it for months but so far, SmartThings hasn't said anything except "It isn't in our short-term plans" and that was 5 or 6 months ago.

 

[CAL7]

Yeah, I'd prefer to stick with Wink but $99 for the STv2 bundle might be too tempting. I might go ahead and preorder it and I can cancel it, sell it off, or return it if I don't want to use it.

Are we going to get dimming via Echo for all lights? Seems to only work with certain lights now.

EDIT: Preordered the STv2 bundle. Exciting things might be coming from Wink, but I'd like to know exactly what those are and be given an actual timeline that is somewhat accurate. Like I said, I do prefer to stick with Wink but at this stage, I am hedging my bets due to their financial situation. And let's be clear -- I think HA as a whole is experiencing a lot of issues right now, so I don't think their problem is completely their fault.

Ditto. I pre-ordered figuring it was a small price to pay to seriously study both tracks. My main problem with Wink (besides its utter dependency on rock-solid end-to-end internet service) is a lack of generic Z-Wave compatibility, which I hope :fingerscrossed is better with ST. Without Lutron support on ST, I'll still have some dependency on Wink.

Are there any clever strategies to invest control in the ST hub and use Wink as a bridge to its devices (e.g. Lutron)?

 

[Viper GTS]

Am I correct in my conclusion that there is still no web UI for these?

In a perfect world I'd like to use a STv2 as an ethernet connected bridge and run my control in a virtual machine (HomeGenie, OpenHab, etc). This doesn't seem possible so I'm torn between ST and a raspberry pi w/USB adapter (which doesn't get me zigbee).

Viper GTS

 

[lsd]

My understanding is this:

1. Lutrons - do not work
2. GE Link bulbs - do work
3. Trippers - do work
4. Overflows - no idea, but I believe ST has a water sensor at about the same price as the overflows.
5. Amazon Echo - I don't believe official integration exists yet.

The lack of Lutron support is quite ridiculous to be honest. People have been screaming for it for months but so far, SmartThings hasn't said anything except "It isn't in our short-term plans" and that was 5 or 6 months ago.

Why the hang up on lutrons?
I dumped my lutrons in favor of ge switches and do not miss the lutrons at all. I didn't like the cheap feel of the Cassetta's along with the slow start up. Using the ST app I get near instantaneous lights on along with status. Never ever had any issues controlling lights or their status.
Been extremely pleased with the ST hub and I just preordered the v2 without hesitation.

 

[lsd]

Am I correct in my conclusion that there is still no web UI for these?

In a perfect world I'd like to use a STv2 as an ethernet connected bridge and run my control in a virtual machine (HomeGenie, OpenHab, etc). This doesn't seem possible so I'm torn between ST and a raspberry pi w/USB adapter (which doesn't get me zigbee).

Viper GTS

Nothing official but there is what they call a smartapp that allows a Web ui. They also have a developer web ui that anyone can use to create their own devices. It's a very powerful platform.

 

[aosmer]

Why the hang up on lutrons?

There are several reasons why not having lutrons is a no go. The biggest for me is how stupid easy setting up 3-way is with a pico remote. Also, not needing a neutral is a big plus as well. Plus since I do have Lutron stuff, the idea of ripping it all out to replace with a z-wave alternative doesn't sound thrilling.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Why the hang up on lutrons?
I dumped my lutrons in favor of ge switches and do not miss the lutrons at all. I didn't like the cheap feel of the Cassetta's along with the slow start up. Using the ST app I get near instantaneous lights on along with status. Never ever had any issues controlling lights or their status.
Been extremely pleased with the ST hub and I just preordered the v2 without hesitation.

My Casetas do not have slow start up - I click the on button or the Pico and they're on almost immediately. Agree they might feel a little cheap though.

Otherwise, aosmer explains it well I think. And judging by the ST forums, others agree.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Are there any clever strategies to invest control in the ST hub and use Wink as a bridge to its devices (e.g. Lutron)?

That's an interesting idea and I'm not sure. I'd settle for a web interface that shows all the devices connected to both hubs and makes the backend transparent to the end user - if I want to turn on "Office Light," I click the icon and it doesn't matter which hub controls that light, the system will figure it out. I'd love a server service that you could run which integrates hubs/devices from various vendors into a consolidated view which could be controlled from a web page or via voice (like Echo).

Oh, andSmartThings also needs to get official Echo integration asap, if it won't have it by launch time of v2.

 

[Kaido]

Official now - Samsung's new SmartThings home automation Hub ships next month:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/17/samsung-smartthings-hub/

Samsung statement:

http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/smartthings-hub-update/

SmartThings Hub Update

We’re excited to let you know that the new generation of the Samsung SmartThings Hub will be available to purchase in early September, and that starting today, you will be able to pre-order the new Hub in our Shop, on Samsung.com, and on Amazon.

In addition to the new Hub, we’ll also be coming out with a new line of Samsung SmartThings products and an enhanced mobile app experience in the next few weeks.

You don’t need to purchase the new Hub in order to continue using SmartThings in your home. But if you do decide to order the new Hub, you’ll need to reconnect your current devices to the new Hub. We’ll provide detailed guidance that will make this process as easy as possible.

We can’t wait to tell you more about all the great new features of the new Hub and app experience. There’s much more coming, so please stay tuned for an official announcement in the coming weeks.

Thanks!
– The SmartThings Team

Pre-order link for $99 here:

http://www.amazon.com/SmartThings-F-H-ETH-001-Samsung-Hub/dp/B010NZV0GE

Debating picking one up...already been through the "beta tester" process with Wink, although (1) Wink is now pretty stable (despite lack of local control currently), and (2) the SmartThings Hub will be on version 2, so it's not like it's an entirely new product. Hmm.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Official now - Samsung's new SmartThings home automation Hub ships next month:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/17/samsung-smartthings-hub/

Samsung statement:

http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/smartthings-hub-update/



Pre-order link for $99 here:

http://www.amazon.com/SmartThings-F-H-ETH-001-Samsung-Hub/dp/B010NZV0GE

Debating picking one up...already been through the "beta tester" process with Wink, although (1) Wink is now pretty stable (despite lack of local control currently), and (2) the SmartThings Hub will be on version 2, so it's not like it's an entirely new product. Hmm.

See the thread in Hot Deals (or earlier posts in this thread). You can order directly from SmartThings for $99 and they throw in a motion sensor and their version of the Tripper. I went ahead and preordered it from them.

 

[MjnMixael]

From my semi-inside perspective... Smartthings V2 is behind in every way except local control/battery backup. I'll even give them points for the ethernet port. But in terms of being an open hub that works with as much as possible? I think you guys will see soon that Wink is pulling way ahead while Samsung is actively choosing to stay limited by not supporting Lutron while still missing things like Echo, Google Now, etc.

No Lutron support is a big mistake for so many reasons. It's an objectively better wireless standard due to the actual frequencies it uses. The PICO remote is a stroke of genius. Lutron switches are still the only reliable switches that work without a Neutral wire. It's amazing to me how no one else has tried to solve that problem. Not to mention that I can name 3 major brands that work with Lutron off the top of my head. Apple Homekit, Logitech Harmony, Wink.. all major Smartthings competitors.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

From my semi-inside perspective... Smartthings V2 is behind in every way except local control/battery backup. I'll even give them points for the ethernet port. But in terms of being an open hub that works with as much as possible? I think you guys will see soon that Wink is pulling way ahead while Samsung is actively choosing to stay limited by not supporting Lutron while still missing things like Echo, Google Now, etc.

No Lutron support is a big mistake for so many reasons. It's an objectively better wireless standard due to the actual frequencies it uses. The PICO remote is a stroke of genius. Lutron switches are still the only reliable switches that work without a Neutral wire. It's amazing to me how no one else has tried to solve that problem. Not to mention that I can name 3 major brands that work with Lutron off the top of my head. Apple Homekit, Logitech Harmony, Wink.. all major Smartthings competitors.

Yeah, I may very well end up canceling my preorder or selling it. I'm not happy with some of what SmartThings ISN'T doing. But at $100, it is pretty much in impulse purchase territory and might be fun to play with on the side.

I definitely agree about the Lutrons - I have two Casetas controlling lights in my bar and have them integrated in Wink so that if you turn one on, the other turns on automatically. It was too hard to wire all of the lights into a single switch given where the lights are and some other factors, but the Casetas solved it flawlessly.

In your opinion, do you think Wink will have local control ready in September?

 

[luv2liv]

anyone gonna try something with the Amazon Dash now that it's "hacked?"
https://medium.com/@edwardbenson/how-i-hacked-amazon-s-5-wifi-button-to-track-baby-data-794214b0bdd8

im gonna get 1 just to set it up as a doorbell. when someone presses, it will send an msg to my phone then to my watch. heheh

 

[MBSMD]

I have an older home and at least 50% of my switches don't have neutral wires. The Lutrons work perfectly.

That, plus Amazon Echo voice control support make Wink better than ST for me.

And should Wink go belly-up, at least I have HomeLink & Siri control of my Lutron switches, dimmers and Hue lights (coming next month). Other than a handful of GE Link and Cree bulbs which potentially I can put on the Hue bridge or replace with Hue Lux bulbs, that covers all my lighting.

 

[MjnMixael]

Yeah, I may very well end up canceling my preorder or selling it. I'm not happy with some of what SmartThings ISN'T doing. But at $100, it is pretty much in impulse purchase territory and might be fun to play with on the side.

I definitely agree about the Lutrons - I have two Casetas controlling lights in my bar and have them integrated in Wink so that if you turn one on, the other turns on automatically. It was too hard to wire all of the lights into a single switch given where the lights are and some other factors, but the Casetas solved it flawlessly.

In your opinion, do you think Wink will have local control ready in September?

I really can't say. I don't have any more confirmed info on local control than you do. They said publicly that they are working on it... so I'm hoping sometime this year!

I will say that now that I've got enough sensors/connected devices and Wink has been quite stable.. I can't remember the last time I used the app to do anything. It's all automated, so it's technically faster than local control for me as it happens before I'm even thinking about it.