The Wink home automation thread

[kirnmalidus]

No, the new Iris stuff is Zigbee 1.2.

Actually, according to this documentation from the website, the hub supports both Zigbee and Z-Wave, and there are Iris devices that use both protocols. Zigbee is for the basic stuff, like the sensors and switches, and Z-Wave is used in slightly more complicated devices, like the thermostat and garage door opener. And it also lists third party Z-Wave devices that are compatible with the hub.

https://www.irissmarthome.com/globalStatic/docs/guides/irissmarthubprotocols.pdf

 

[Mike A.]

Actually, according to this documentation from the website, the hub supports both Zigbee and Z-Wave, and there are Iris devices that use both protocols. Zigbee is for the basic stuff, like the sensors and switches, and Z-Wave is used in slightly more complicated devices, like the thermostat and garage door opener. And it also lists third party Z-Wave devices that are compatible with the hub.

https://www.irissmarthome.com/globalStatic/docs/guides/irissmarthubprotocols.pdf

I believe that he probably was talking about the sensors which are Zigbee. The catch re Wink is that there's no selection provided for the Iris specifically or for a generic Zigbee sensor when adding devices as there is for Z-wave sensors. The only Zigbee door sensor being the Trippers. I recall someone saying that they tried "faking" the Iris being the Tripper when pairing and that didn't work.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Actually, according to this documentation from the website, the hub supports both Zigbee and Z-Wave, and there are Iris devices that use both protocols. Zigbee is for the basic stuff, like the sensors and switches, and Z-Wave is used in slightly more complicated devices, like the thermostat and garage door opener. And it also lists third party Z-Wave devices that are compatible with the hub.

https://www.irissmarthome.com/globalStatic/docs/guides/irissmarthubprotocols.pdf

I was talking about their new sensors, not the hub. I know very well that the hub also supports z-wave devices - even the gen 1 Iris hub did and Lowes stocked several zwave devices, many from GE.

I can assure you that all of the gen 2 Iris stuff in purple boxes (open/close, motion, keypad, etc) use Zigbee.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I believe that he probably was talking about the sensors which are Zigbee. The catch re Wink is that there's no selection provided for the Iris specifically or for a generic Zigbee sensor when adding devices as there is for Z-wave sensors. The only Zigbee door sensor being the Trippers. I recall someone saying that they tried "faking" the Iris being the Tripper when pairing and that didn't work.

I was the person who tried adding the Iris motion as both Trippers and Go Control sensors, neither of which works.

 

[Mike A.]

I was the person who tried adding the Iris motion as both Trippers and Go Control sensors, neither of which works.

I need to send a note about some other things through the beta group. I'll add generic Zigbee sensor to the list. I'm nobody so won't make any difference on that basis but if they hear it from enough of us maybe it will.

The scheduling side also is something that I think that they need to do some work on. It should be pulled out from being hidden under the lights. Other than the list view the interface is kind of useless once you have more than a few things scheduled. Also should show schedule info with the device. i.e., You should see and be able to set/change schedule info in the device screen vs having to go into the schedule separately and be able to look both ways from either the device or from the overall schedule perspective. Also should be able to schedule shortcuts. Kind of have that with when robots are active now but a little different.

Also some way to back these damn things up. It's a real pain in the ass to have to rebuild everything when they flake out. I've had to do it too many times.

 

[BillBones]

I need to send a note about some other things through the beta group. I'll add generic Zigbee sensor to the list

Excellent!
I've also mentioned about a simple export / import config utility as Mike says. Hopefully if bunches of folks ask / complain, just maybe!! Thanks.

 

[jrlnc]

With Wink's latest firmware & software changes, it has broken a LOT of my robots and shortcuts.

For instance, I have a robot set for a certain timeframe in the morning so that when the garage door opens, all the house lights should shut off. It didn't fire this morning so I looked into it under the edit option, the garage door action was set to 'NULL' instead of OPEN or CLOSE. How did that happen?

Also, for some reason when the local control went into effect, some of my Zigbee lights stopped responding, but all of the Lutrons are just fine.

Anyone else experience this?

Also, where is the database for these shortcuts and robots kept? Most probably not in my mobile device or the Wink hub. It is probably hosted on Wink's cloud, which they need to better protect to not lose data when they change software.

 

[MjnMixael]

I'm picking up the Harmony Home Hub Controller (adds z-wave and zigbee capabilities). I'm going to try the steps on their website to integrate it into my Wink setup.

If it all works out, the motion sensor in my tv room should turn on my lights and my tv!

I'm also going to try integrating a z-wave switch I have lying around as a way to setup things like if SWITCH turns off (by Wink), Harmony should power everything off.

The Harmony extender arrives Thursday, so I'll report back in a few days if I successfully get a sort of Harmony integration going.

 

[Mike A.]

With Wink's latest firmware & software changes, it has broken a LOT of my robots and shortcuts.

For instance, I have a robot set for a certain timeframe in the morning so that when the garage door opens, all the house lights should shut off. It didn't fire this morning so I looked into it under the edit option, the garage door action was set to 'NULL' instead of OPEN or CLOSE. How did that happen?

Also, for some reason when the local control went into effect, some of my Zigbee lights stopped responding, but all of the Lutrons are just fine.

Anyone else experience this?

Haven't seen the NULL thing myself. I did lose some of my Link lights with the latest version of the hub.

Actually, it was a little more complicated than that. The update blew away my hub (same apparently for others) when it didn't complete successfully and I had to recreate everything other than the devices themselves. Within that, devices remained and everything stayed paired to the hub and working but with generic names (e..g., Light, Switch). Everything except for some of the Zigbee/Link lights that is. Some were OK. Also seemed to have some similar troubles with those same lights in an earlier beta leading up to the final release which did something specific relative to preparing/readdressing the Zigbee lights for the changes which were made.

Hopefully that makes sense. TL/DR version - Yeah, it's probably not just you. Seems something may not be quite right as far as the connection to the Zigbee/Link lights and however that's been implemented.

 

[BillBones]

Greetings,
Anyone know if there's any substantial difference, other than boxing? Previously purchased GE smart outdoor modules from Lowe's, product 45635, now discontinued. New product comes in a nice green box, with number 12720. I read Jasco is now marketing with all 12xxx for consumers. However, if the older 45635 are identical inside, they would be a good deal if found at Lowe's, as they are marked down some. thanks. bill.

 

[Rdisom]

I just removed one from my Iris system to extend the range of my Wink network. Paired fine and it would definitely have been the old 45 number.

 

[jrlnc]

Well, so much for local control.

As you can see Wink's network is down.

http://status.winkapp.com

None of my robots or shortcuts will work.
Just manually turning on individual lights/switches.

 

[MjnMixael]

I thought it was always clear that local control was just that, local manual control. Wink didn't seem to give the impression that robots and shortcuts would still function without an internet connection...

 

[jrlnc]

I thought it was always clear that local control was just that, local manual control. Wink didn't seem to give the impression that robots and shortcuts would still function without an internet connection...

You're right. I somehow was thinking the robots will work too.

It's funny how I take those robots for granted.

 

[RodolfoDLV]

You're right. I somehow was thinking the robots will work too.

Maybe because it was the ACTUAL thing that needed to be done?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Maybe because it was the ACTUAL thing that needed to be done?

Yeah, given their hype, I expected much more from their implementation of local control. Lights only? SmartThings had that last September.

It still boggles my mind that local implementation of rules, robots, etc. wasn't a primary consideration when these products were designed.

 

[Termie]

I hate to say this, but part of the reason behind the lack of local control is data collection. That's why Google bought Nest for $3.2B. The ability to know when and how you use your appliances could be very valuable to certain advertisers.

Selling thermostats was never going to pay Google back the $3.2B investment, and it's not like Wink was making money off its hub, obviously.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I hate to say this, but part of the reason behind the lack of local control is data collection. That's why Google bought Nest for $3.2B. The ability to know when and how you use your appliances could be very valuable to certain advertisers.

Selling thermostats was never going to pay Google back the $3.2B investment, and it's not like Wink was making money off its hub, obviously.

Yes, you're right - IIRC, Ben Kaufman said that the reason Wink did not have local control on launch was because of data collection. Allegedly, they wanted to study usage patterns before implementing local control.

 

[MjnMixael]

Honestly, I'd opt in to a complete local control setup even if I had to agree to send anonymous usage data to Wink once an hour or whatever. They make money with my data and I have a reliable HA solution. Win Win Win.

 

[Kaido]

I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I got my Schlage Century lock fixed. They actually sent me a full replacement unit under warranty. I had read online that there were some issues with a batch a year or so ago & to call into their CS. I didn't have my Home Depot receipt handy, nor had I registered it with Schlage, but they took the numbers off the sticker inside the lock & had a new one out to me within a couple weeks, which was really nice. Installation was cake since it was just a replacement (small screw, long screw, two bolts) & reprogramming of the default codes. This is my family's top favorite HA gadget.

 

[RodolfoDLV]

Honestly, I'd opt in to a complete local control setup even if I had to agree to send anonymous usage data to Wink once an hour or whatever. They make money with my data and I have a reliable HA solution. Win Win Win.

This. Exactly this. Whenever I setup a new Android device, it asks me about anonymous data and whatnot, and I always click yes. They give me free e-mail, maps, browser, etc., I give them some data. But Wink's train of though is just unnerving.

I actually can't justify keeping a Wink hub anymore. I have all of my automations on my SmartThings hub, and it has been working pretty solid after that rocky start of the V2.

I REALLY wanted Wink to improve. I like the interface better, it is easier for my wife to use, and it has support for Lutron and Nest, two things that I would like to have. But after waiting and waiting, getting hinted at things by the Beta people, how great this was going to be and everything, this is like having bucket full of cold water thrown on top of you. I NEVER use my phone to turn on lights, that's what automations are for, and even if I want a specific light, I ask Alexa. Nest integration plainly sucks. For some reason it can't turn it to Away mode when I hit a Shortcut and it never updates in a timely fashion. And Lutron..... I guess I'll have to accept the fact of using other light switches.

While the "local control" to use your phone as a remote is a good step forward, it just isn't enough.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

This. Exactly this. Whenever I setup a new Android device, it asks me about anonymous data and whatnot, and I always click yes. They give me free e-mail, maps, browser, etc., I give them some data. But Wink's train of though is just unnerving.

I actually can't justify keeping a Wink hub anymore. I have all of my automations on my SmartThings hub, and it has been working pretty solid after that rocky start of the V2.

I REALLY wanted Wink to improve. I like the interface better, it is easier for my wife to use, and it has support for Lutron and Nest, two things that I would like to have. But after waiting and waiting, getting hinted at things by the Beta people, how great this was going to be and everything, this is like having bucket full of cold water thrown on top of you. I NEVER use my phone to turn on lights, that's what automations are for, and even if I want a specific light, I ask Alexa. Nest integration plainly sucks. For some reason it can't turn it to Away mode when I hit a Shortcut and it never updates in a timely fashion. And Lutron..... I guess I'll have to accept the fact of using other light switches.

While the "local control" to use your phone as a remote is a good step forward, it just isn't enough.

Agree 1000%!!! I intend on using both Wink and ST, but I'm over the empty promises from Wink and listening to the beta testers. I heard for months about "amazing" stuff coming, and I still don't see it. I've called Wink out in the Facebook group numerous times, but we get the same canned responses.

SmartThings isn't perfect but it is a far more powerful ecosystem IMO. Wink just keeps falling farther and farther behind and with VeraPlus now on the scene, there is even less of a reason to go with Wink. When people ask me for recommendations, I tell them ST has issues but is still the platform to go with if you don't want to spend much.

 

[RodolfoDLV]

Agree 1000%!!! I intend on using both Wink and ST, but I'm over the empty promises from Wink and listening to the beta testers. I heard for months about "amazing" stuff coming, and I still don't see it. I've called Wink out in the Facebook group numerous times, but we get the same canned responses.

SmartThings isn't perfect but it is a far more powerful ecosystem IMO. Wink just keeps falling farther and farther behind and with VeraPlus now on the scene, there is even less of a reason to go with Wink. When people ask me for recommendations, I tell them ST has issues but is still the platform to go with if you don't want to spend much.

It's like we both frequent the same online places and came to the same conclusion! LOL. Seriously, though, I was reluctant with ST because of the lack of Nest support, because I enjoy getting the discounts from the home insurance, rebates and all the Works with Nest programs, but I guess using the non-Nest approved ST community device will have to do.

 

[CAL7]

I have been holding back because I don't want to be a naysayer about Wink on a Wink forum, but the SmartThings user community is awesome, with a capital A W E S O M E !

ST itself is no better than Wink, but ST facilitates community devices and apps, such that amazing creations come from the community. It's definitely for hobbyists who are willing to tinker, but if that's you... run, don't walk, from Wink to ST.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I have been holding back because I don't want to be a naysayer about Wink on a Wink forum, but the SmartThings user community is awesome, with a capital A W E S O M E !

ST itself is no better than Wink, but ST facilitates community devices and apps, such that amazing creations come from the community. It's definitely for hobbyists who are willing to tinker, but if that's you... run, don't walk, from Wink to ST.

:thumbsup:

I agree. ST is no paradise and as a company, doesn't seem much better than Wink. But, at least we can get new device support constantly thanks to the community. When Lowes released their new Iris devices, we had device handlers from the community within a week and that's just one example. There are already handlers and apps for the Blink camera and many other new devices.

Wink? Wink has been a joke in terms of new devices. "Hey, let's add an expensive and obscure product like Leaksmart- I mean, we STILL don't have temperature sensors available and only 1 or 2 door/window sensors from third parties, but who cares!" Want a temperature sensor for Wink? Have fun spending $70 on the standalone Leaksmart water sensor, which I believe is the only supported temperature sensor currently in production for Wink outside of buying an entire thermostat. They stopped making Trippers, Spotters, etc. almost a year ago - where are the replacements at? Why did local control take so long, only to be revealed as nothing more than what SmartThings had last September? And then we hear "But...but.....Wink's app is better!" Yeah, it is - so what? I use the app only when adding stuff - I use Alexa for almost all control.

I gave their rep on Facebook a hard time about all of this, and we got the usual canned "We have exciting things coming! Be patient!" I even told her that Wink was doing itself an incredible disservice by not releasing roadmaps or even trying to generate excitement. I swear to god, if I hear "Be patient, we have great things coming!" from her one more time, I'll probably explode all over Facebook. At this stage though, it doesn't matter - ST is so far ahead that Wink will never catch it and the only way for Wink to have succeeded in the long term, IMO, would've been for Amazon to buy them. Flextronic's only hope is probably to kill Wink (or at least the name) and release a new rebranded hub and compatibility with a wide range of devices.

No offense to anyone in this thread, but many of the beta testers said the same thing. Sorry guys, you've ALL (Wink and beta testers) cried wolf too many times. The local control release was such an incredibly disappointing release that all of you have lost credibility in eyes. We don't want ridiculous and eccentric products added to Wink - we want cheap sensors. Enjoy your 1 overpriced temperature sensor and your 1 or 2 door/window sensors. I'll still use Wink for some things, but the cool stuff is in my ST environment.

It's like we both frequent the same online places and came to the same conclusion! LOL. Seriously, though, I was reluctant with ST because of the lack of Nest support, because I enjoy getting the discounts from the home insurance, rebates and all the Works with Nest programs, but I guess using the non-Nest approved ST community device will have to do.

I'm sure you're just as sick of the Wink spokeswoman on the FB group as I am. These guys don't have a clue though to be fair, Ben Kaufman was such a clueless buffoon that it probably HAS taken them all these months to clean up his mess.