The Wink home automation thread

[Wink22]

Hey Everyone

New Wink user here. Been using Wink for about 4 months.
I have a few GE light bulbs. Nest Cam and Wink Relay, spotter.

I am little disappointed with the Relay as its options and settings are beyond limited.
Also, i need to pull the unit off the wall to reset it because the screen will stay on and never turn off unless i pull it off the wall.
Anyone else having this issue?
Also, i have a Quirky Spotter (first Gen) that wont connect to my wink.
The tech guy said this is a known issue during the past few weeks and that its a known issue and should be resolved soon.
I kinda dont believe him as ive read on the internet about problems syncing the spotter.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Regarding the Spotter, from Wink's spokesperson on the Wink FB group:

"The Spotter is unfortunately a discontinued Quirky product. I'm personally not sure who has the IP to that product, but they would be the one in charge of updating the software of the device."

LOL! More excuses from Wink (someone pointed out to her that Spotter instructions were still on their site), no decent updates in months, and no new products on the horizon. But hey, we FINALLY got a temperature sensor after nearly a year of not having one - yeah, it sucks, is expensive, has issues, and tons of complaints, but it is something, right? Still liking Wink guys?

Meanwhile, SmartThings poaches an Amazon director for their new SVP of Engineering, has a CEO who is now posting updates weekly, and they're pushing out fixes fairly quickly. I was thinking last night that it might be the right time to move the remaining stuff off of Wink and onto my ST hub and just use Wink for Lutron.

 

[MjnMixael]

Indy, I understand your frustrations with Wink and many of them are not unfounded.. (though I will say that I'm still a bit dumbfounded at how hostile you are about not having a temp sensor. I find very little need to have a temp sensor in every room... Between Relay and Nest, I get an accurate enough readout of the temp in my home, personally.) but it's getting to the point that you are really not being terribly helpful to the new users asking honest questions...

Wink22, Relay is yeah.. very limited but I'm hopeful that new features are just around the corner. I'm part of the Wink beta tester team and there has been some recent activity with Relay. My Relay sometimes does that, though it seems to get over it after a day or so. FYI, there's a small round reset button under Relay's screen. You can just hold that down instead of pulling the unit off the wall.

I would honestly return Spotter. It is a discontinued product and wasn't ever all that good in the first place. But that does, unfortunately, mean that you may not have a replacement sensor for the specific task you want to accomplish. Other than Spotter, Wink has no sound or vibration sensors. You can use LeakSmart or Eecobee for temperature settings, but that can be an expensive proposition (especially the latter). I will point out that Relay has a temperature sensor that Wink can use, though that only works if Relay is where you want the sensor!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Indy, I understand your frustrations with Wink and many of them are not unfounded.. (though I will say that I'm still a bit dumbfounded at how hostile you are about not having a temp sensor. I find very little need to have a temp sensor in every room... Between Relay and Nest, I get an accurate enough readout of the temp in my home, personally.) but it's getting to the point that you are really not being terribly helpful to the new users asking honest questions...

Wink22, Relay is yeah.. very limited but I'm hopeful that new features are just around the corner. I'm part of the Wink beta tester team and there has been some recent activity with Relay. My Relay sometimes does that, though it seems to get over it after a day or so. FYI, there's a small round reset button under Relay's screen. You can just hold that down instead of pulling the unit off the wall.

I would honestly return Spotter. It is a discontinued product and wasn't ever all that good in the first place. But that does, unfortunately, mean that you may not have a replacement sensor for the specific task you want to accomplish. Other than Spotter, Wink has no sound or vibration sensors. You can use LeakSmart or Eecobee for temperature settings, but that can be an expensive proposition (especially the latter). I will point out that Relay has a temperature sensor that Wink can use, though that only works if Relay is where you want the sensor!

I don't make the news, I just report it - in this case, what Wink itself recently said about the Spotter. You're right it isn't helpful, but tell that to Wink since they seem to be at a point where they're hedging on supporting products which were a centerpiece of their ecosystem. What does that mean for my Trippers and Overflows?

The temp sensor is just the most prominent example - sensors are extremely important to HA and a Wink is missing things like light sensors, vibration sensors, etc. We're coming up on six months since the acquisition was finalized - where is a roadmap?

You're right I'm frustrated with Wink. They're clueless. Their whole model was based on partnerships and IIRC, companies paid them to support their products. Why would a company pay them to support their products now?

 

[Kaido]

You're right I'm frustrated with Wink. They're clueless. Their whole model was based on partnerships and IIRC, companies paid them to support their products. Why would a company pay them to support their products now?

I'd like to see each device come out with a simple API that can be configured using a visual preview tool like Visio (or Flow now, I guess). For example, a lightbulb would have several commands:

<on>
<off>
<dim level>
<detect state>
<unique MAC address>

Then something like Python (re: MisterHouse) could query the (secure) public API...are you on? What's your brightness? Turn on! Turn off! Dim slowly! Brighten quickly! The central control hub would handle commands (receiving, sending, confirming), tie in stuff like the weather & day/night schedules & calendars, assign human-friendly names to hardware (ex. Porch Light), and so on. No partner certification needed, just put it out on the market with a secure pairing mode (a combination of Lutron's Caseta wireless sync tech & a software 2FA setup for initial pairing would do the trick) & set it up to your heart's desire...televisions, lightbulbs, switches, motion sensors, you name it!

Maybe we should Kickstarter this idea ourselves :hmm:

 

[MjnMixael]

What does that mean for my Trippers and Overflows?

Those work on zigbee and don't require a server dedicated to their functionality like Spotter, PPG, Nimbus, and the like.. so probably nothing. They'll work like they always have. Worst-case scenario; they don't get any more firmware updates... as if door sensors and water sensors need constant firmware updates...

We're coming up on six months since the acquisition was finalized - where is a roadmap?

My impression is that the acquisition was not really finalized until February at the earliest in terms of internal restructures and prioritizations... and may still be ongoing as they figure out things like the aformentioned partnerships, supply chains, and monetization. Sure they may have signed papers and exchanged cash back in November, but that's only a small part of a big company buying a small one.

Their whole model was based on partnerships and IIRC, companies paid them to support their products. Why would a company pay them to support their products now?

As far as I could ever find.. this was only ever conjecture and never backed up with hard factual data or references. I could be wrong.. I'd be interested to know!

I don't make the news, I just report it

Indeed... Except your posts are coming off more and more hostile. Someone pops in here looking for help isn't looking for a two paragraph "f*** Wink" post in response. I'm not saying your frustrations are unfounded. I'm simply asking you to calm it down a bit. Your point has been made. We get it.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I'd like to see each device come out with a simple API that can be configured using a visual preview tool like Visio (or Flow now, I guess). For example, a lightbulb would have several commands:

<on>
<off>
<dim level>
<detect state>
<unique MAC address>

Then something like Python (re: MisterHouse) could query the (secure) public API...are you on? What's your brightness? Turn on! Turn off! Dim slowly! Brighten quickly! The central control hub would handle commands (receiving, sending, confirming), tie in stuff like the weather & day/night schedules & calendars, assign human-friendly names to hardware (ex. Porch Light), and so on. No partner certification needed, just put it out on the market with a secure pairing mode (a combination of Lutron's Caseta wireless sync tech & a software 2FA setup for initial pairing would do the trick) & set it up to your heart's desire...televisions, lightbulbs, switches, motion sensors, you name it!

Maybe we should Kickstarter this idea ourselves :hmm:

ST isn't terribly far off from this. Not sure about VeraPlus - I'm definitely interested in playing with one but I think I'm going to let it sit on the market for a few months before I dive in.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Those work on zigbee and don't require a server dedicated to their functionality like Spotter, PPG, Nimbus, and the like.. so probably nothing. They'll work like they always have. Worst-case scenario; they don't get any more firmware updates... as if door sensors and water sensors need constant firmware updates...

I've seen reports of Tripper issues in the Wink FB group recently. I personally have not experienced any, but that doesn't mean that I won't. Is Wink going to refuse to support them if I have similar issues?

Indeed... Except your posts are coming off more and more hostile. Someone pops in here looking for help isn't looking for a two paragraph "f*** Wink" post in response. I'm not saying your frustrations are unfounded. I'm simply asking you to calm it down a bit. Your point has been made. We get it.

I wouldn't say I'm hostile. I simply state the facts. If someone new comes in here looking for a hub recommendation, I will tell them to avoid Wink for now. The poor guy at the top of the page bought a Spotter, expecting it to work out-of-the-box and instead, not only doesn't it work, but Wink is basically saying in the forums that it isn't their problem. That's just ridiculous.

It isn't that I have lots of problems with my Wink installation. I've said many times that in fact, it has been pretty solid for me. However, it just doesn't have the ecosystem for me to accomplish what I want to do and their attitude has been troubling. I know they're looking for a way to monetize Wink. I get that. However, while they're debating how to do exactly that, the market is passing them by because other systems have a larger ecosystem of products to choose from with more capabilities.

We owe it to people coming in here to tell them the true state of things, not repeat the Wink line of "exciting things are around the corner!" and nothing ever materializes. Even the Wink spokesperson has largely disappeared from the FB group at this time, probably because people were demanding updates and disappointed in the local control release. I get that it isn't her fault, but Wink should probably just pull any official representation out of forums, FB groups, etc. until they have something to report.

Lest you think I'm a ST fanboy, I probably would not recommend ST right now either. No one should use either of these hubs if they want a serious security system, for example. I think ST will be where it needs to be within 3-4 months and it is improving, but unless you need something NOW, I'd advise folks to wait a few months. As for me, I will probably give VeraPlus a serious look in a couple of months and may buy one to play with. I just can't get enough of these toys.

 

[CAL7]

I'm not at all familiar with Vera. Does it have, or is likely to have, the kind of open platform that ST offers to the development community?

 

[Wink22]

Wink22, Relay is yeah.. very limited but I'm hopeful that new features are just around the corner. I'm part of the Wink beta tester team and there has been some recent activity with Relay. My Relay sometimes does that, though it seems to get over it after a day or so. FYI, there's a small round reset button under Relay's screen. You can just hold that down instead of pulling the unit off the wall.

I would honestly return Spotter. It is a discontinued product and wasn't ever all that good in the first place. But that does, unfortunately, mean that you may not have a replacement sensor for the specific task you want to accomplish. Other than Spotter, Wink has no sound or vibration sensors. You can use LeakSmart or Eecobee for temperature settings, but that can be an expensive proposition (especially the latter). I will point out that Relay has a temperature sensor that Wink can use, though that only works if Relay is where you want the sensor![/QUOTE]

Thanks for all those great tips.
I did actually find that reset button shortly after I posted. Much handier.
Looking forward to some updates/upgrades for the Relay.

I do use the temperature sensor from the Relay for some robots.
Also my nest cam picks up sound and motion. It will email me when these triggers go off.
It's set to turn on when I'm away and off when I'm home.
Although i notice it sometimes triggers motion and sound when in "home mode"/camerea off..

Why do I need the Spotter then ?
Well, the wife isn't a huge fan of the camera idea. Don't ask! Lol so I was hoping to use that an alternative to sensing motion and sound.

I guess I'll give up on the Spotter

I have a feeling I will have the same problem with the Quirky GE Propane scale which I got as a gift..


If things are discontinued,why don't they remove it from the Apps Add new portion. This way consumers will know what will actually work.

The reason I am not moving towards SmartThings is because I am attracted to having everything on one app.
I have invested lots into leviton for devices and things a I can power and monitor.

Im also not impressed of having very limited capability and options on the Nest Cam through the wink app. I guess I'm being picky.

I'm not quite sure why some people say wink doesn't have a wide environment. I haven't moved from it mostly because its wide array of compatible devices for a product. Smart locks for example. Smart lights. This allows me to mix and match different products and companies.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

If things are discontinued,why don't they remove it from the Apps Add new portion. This way consumers will know what will actually work.

It isn't uncommon to have to remove a device and then re-add it, so they have to keep it in the app so people can re-add it.

The reason I am not moving towards SmartThings is because I am attracted to having everything on one app.

I don't understand this comment. Everything is on one app in SmartThings as well.

I'm not quite sure why some people say wink doesn't have a wide environment. I haven't moved from it mostly because its wide array of compatible devices for a product. Smart locks for example. Smart lights. This allows me to mix and match different products and companies.

People who say that Wink has a limited ecosystem generally have experience with multiple platforms and speak from experience. The lack of sensors (as you're finding out) is a big problem with the Wink ecosystem. I have several options to choose from with SmartThings for the same functionality. You're at Wink's mercy to support new devices whereas the SmartThings community drops new device handlers into the forums very frequently. Each approach has its pros and cons; my own preference is for the more open environment so I can hack around and add a ton of cool devices.

 

[Tech_Greek]

I would honestly return Spotter. It is a discontinued product and wasn't ever all that good in the first place. But that does, unfortunately, mean that you may not have a replacement sensor for the specific task you want to accomplish. Other than Spotter, Wink has no sound or vibration sensors. You can use LeakSmart or Eecobee for temperature settings, but that can be an expensive proposition (especially the latter). I will point out that Relay has a temperature sensor that Wink can use, though that only works if Relay is where you want the sensor!

My spotter was garbage (and the reason it got thrown away, besides eating through batteries in a day after one firmware update).

I use my Ecobee remote sensors for each room in my house.

As far as Samsung being any better, I'm watching from the sidelines. I've had HUGE issues with Samsung in the software department every step of the way on every other device, so trusting them with my HA isn't good for me.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

My spotter was garbage (and the reason it got thrown away, besides eating through batteries in a day after one firmware update).

I use my Ecobee remote sensors for each room in my house.

As far as Samsung being any better, I'm watching from the sidelines. I've had HUGE issues with Samsung in the software department every step of the way on every other device, so trusting them with my HA isn't good for me.

I wouldn't say Samsung is "better" at this stage - SmartThings has been slow to react to issues, their support is hit or miss, and they've definitely has inexcusable issues. If not for the community, they'd be dead in the water IMO.

 

[Compman55]

I have never really figured out other than bragging rights the idea behind entire home automation. Technicians can just squeeze out a diagnosis on simple home appliances and hvac systems, add automation to it and now they will struggle.

Seriously are we that lazy? Or do we need new tech to show off to our pals to make us feel important? "Hey, check this out, I can bump my heat up while sitting on the couch, rather than get up and press a button on the thermostat."

 

[Kaido]

I have never really figured out other than bragging rights the idea behind entire home automation. Technicians can just squeeze out a diagnosis on simple home appliances and hvac systems, add automation to it and now they will struggle.

Seriously are we that lazy? Or do we need new tech to show off to our pals to make us feel important? "Hey, check this out, I can bump my heat up while sitting on the couch, rather than get up and press a button on the thermostat."

There's a lot of reasons to do it. Convenience is one. Cool factor is another. Energy savings is yet another. Right now, the cost of entry is high & the payoff is...well, after you factor in the initial setup price, you'll probably never earn it back :biggrin:

This gets into a broader discussion...I'm more of a fan of home automation than smarthomes. I just want some extra features, rather than a robot controlling my home, although systems like Alexa are getting better & better about listening to human speech & issues commands & doing tasks. But there's only so much stuff you can automate before you run out of stuff. The most expensive piece of my setup so far is the $59 lightswitches, haha. Next stage is automated blinds, but it will cost $6k+ to do those & my budget is not ready to go that route quite yet

 

[MjnMixael]

I added a bunch of Echo Dots throughout the main areas of my home... what Wink doesn't automate, I control with Alexa. I still need to do that video I talked about showing what my home is currently like with the smart-home stuff. Alexa is awesome..

And recently Google's OnHub added an IFTTT channel, so that got quickly added to the mix for much more reliable home/away status settings.

 

[MBSMD]

I added a bunch of Echo Dots throughout the main areas of my home... what Wink doesn't automate, I control with Alexa. I still need to do that video I talked about showing what my home is currently like with the smart-home stuff. Alexa is awesome..

And recently Google's OnHub added an IFTTT channel, so that got quickly added to the mix for much more reliable home/away status settings.

I did basically the same. Original Echo in the kitchen (which also covers the adjacent living room) and an Echo Dot each in the master bedroom and the downstairs movie room.

Pretty much most of the house is covered with voice control so I can adjust lights or trigger actions (IFTTT) without pulling out a phone.

Now if only my wife could get used to talking to the Echo... Love my wife to death but she either is hesitant when she gives Alexa an instruction thus it gets misunderstood or she somehow gets nervous and forgets what certain rooms are called, so it can't obey her command. So strange - I find the Echos hugely convenient and she finds them to be a source of frustration.

 

[RodolfoDLV]

And recently Google's OnHub added an IFTTT channel, so that got quickly added to the mix for much more reliable home/away status settings.

How are you finding the response time with this?

 

[Wink22]

It isn't uncommon to have to remove a device and then re-add it, so they have to keep it in the app so people can re-add it.



I don't understand this comment. Everything is on one app in SmartThings as well.


Sorry, i meant the items i have all work with Wink and some not with ST.
I have GE light bulbs which do not work with ST. Lots of GE products do, but not my bulbs.
Also, i have the Relay. Which is very nice. but useless.
Its got zero capability and needs updates desperately.

Screen freezes in the ON mode.
It keeps reverting back to Fahrenheit while its set to Celsius.
Not impressed.
It was $200 and the application is slow and laggy. limited options. Weather is inaccurate. Humidify is inaccurate.

Very disappointed to the point where i might be having a WINK sale!

 

[MjnMixael]

How are you finding the response time with this?

It's pretty quick. Less than a minute.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Sorry, i meant the items i have all work with Wink and some not with ST.
I have GE light bulbs which do not work with ST. Lots of GE products do, but not my bulbs.

Which GE light bulbs? The GE Links work fine with ST.

Also, i have the Relay. Which is very nice. but useless.
Its got zero capability and needs updates desperately.

Screen freezes in the ON mode.
It keeps reverting back to Fahrenheit while its set to Celsius.
Not impressed.
It was $200 and the application is slow and laggy. limited options. Weather is inaccurate. Humidify is inaccurate.

Very disappointed to the point where i might be having a WINK sale!

I've never understood Relay - I always thought it was very overpriced and they have never delivered on their promises for it.

 

[Wink22]

Which GE light bulbs? The GE Links work fine with ST.

Yes, the GE Link Lights..
I also have Leviton Plug in Dimmers.

I've never understood Relay - I always thought it was very overpriced and they have never delivered on their promises for it.

I think it started at $300. I got mine for $200
It has its pros.
Sleek looking. The hard buttons can be used as shortcuts or anything.
I actually did what Relay said not to do and installed in on a 3 way switch.
I had to loose one of my switches and replace it with a shortcut.

I also discovered voice activated shortcuts with Google

I have a nexus phone (will work with any Android) and you can use Ok Google to say shortcuts.
Very limited and you cant create your own which is lame but understandable.
But i can say " Activate Movie Mode on Wink" and it will do it..
Pretty cool..

Im happy with WINK.. i dont see my self going any further with smart homes than lights and sensors. i am going to get the NEST Thermostat and NEST smoke detector)

 

[GSter]

IndyColtsFan Always fascinated with users who participate in a forum for a product that they continually $hit on. Why not participate in a forum for products that you enjoy and allow us 'uneducated and delusional' Wink users enjoy this forum? Just Asking

 

[Kaido]

IndyColtsFan Always fascinated with users who participate in a forum for a product that they continually $hit on. Why not participate in a forum for products that you enjoy and allow us 'uneducated and delusional' Wink users enjoy this forum? Just Asking

Well, to be fair, he has a point. Wink launched a buggy product that had big issues for a long time. Their parent company Quirky went under, but they stayed afloat after that (sold to Flex last November). Promises were made, but not delivered on, which equates to stringing their customers along. On other topics from the company PR - complete radio silence. Additional hardware was released (Spotter, Relay, etc.) with ridiculous reliability problems (just read through this thread). We are coming up on 2 years from release and still have plenty of issues.

I think it's fair to be upset when you've invested a significant amount of both time & money into this and things aren't working as advertised, particularly on things we rely on every day. I mean, I've dumped close to a grand just into smart light switches for my home, and it's pretty annoying when things don't work or go haywire. It's kind of embarrassing when your family is questioning your financial decisions for paying ten times as much or more for hardware that isn't as reliable as the original stuff. So there is a legitimate reason to complain here.

On the flip side, we are still in early-adopter territory for consumer-grade DIY smarthome equipment. The competition is mediocre too - SmartThings v2 has issues, Vera is terrible, and anything else doesn't have much in the way of full hardware support (Lowes Iris or ADT Pulse) or requires you to hardcore geek out on things to get them to work (like MisterHouse). Hopefully at some point in the future, all of this stuff gets ironed out & gets cheaper and things talk to each other in a secure & reliable manner properly, but today is not that day. So I think part of his attitude is just being completely honest about the state of affairs right now.

Personally, I just look at it as "it is what it is". I don't see anyone else seriously competing with the Wink Hub. There's literally no other universal home automation controller I can go buy from Home Depot or Best Buy right now that has a wide variety of third-party support from Chamberlain, Lutron, Kidde, etc., so my options are simply limited right now. This is the best it gets for completely turnkey operation, and I've realized that I just have to accept the quirks that go along with it for the time being. I could always go back to dumb switches, but where's the fun in that? :awe:

 

[CAL7]

IndyColtsFan Always fascinated with users who participate in a forum for a product that they continually $hit on. Why not participate in a forum for products that you enjoy and allow us 'uneducated and delusional' Wink users enjoy this forum? Just Asking

IndyColtsFan has been very fair in his evaluation of Wink, and SmartThings for that matter. If you were comparing only products supported by each company - and I have and use both - then my opinion would be that they are about equal. Where Wink suffers, horribly in my opinion, is that its closed platform leaves me completely reliant upon the faltering company to support what I want. ST reaps the benefit, and sometimes the pain, of community support. This opens up their device profile to be huge; and whatever is beyond huge compared to Wink.

Example: For $80 I'm building a homemade irrigation controller that has sophisticated algorithms controlled by SmartThings to determine when and how much to run the sprinklers. I haven't seen any commercial product that approaches it. The device and programming logic are gratis from ST community developers.