Connected Smart Home Device 'Wink Hub 2' Brings Better Connectivity and Security

[MacRumors]

Smart home platform Wink today announced the introduction of the Wink Hub 2, which the company says is "better, faster, more reliable, and more secure" than the original Wink Hub. In communication with a connected app, the device acts as a central location for users to connect a variety of smart home electronics in one place.

The 25 percent slimmer Wink Hub 2 now supports both 2.4 and 5GHz networks, and comes with an Ethernet port for smoother network connections. Wink also improved the Hub 2's wireless capabilities, so it now supports Kidde, Lutron Clear Connect, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, and has an improved Bluetooth Low Energy connection. Cryptographic verification, and other hardware security features, have been added as safeguards against tampering, "and ensure Wink Hub 2 only runs trusted software."

"Wink's mission is to make the smart home accessible, and empower users to harness the real world benefits it provides in everyday life," said Nathan Smith, Wink founder and CTO. "Wink Hub 2 enables users regardless of their technical know-how to buy the products they love from the brands they trust, and know with confidence they'll work together seamlessly through Wink."

A faster processor and 8x more memory than the original Hub helps Wink Hub 2 run "advanced automations" including daily "Schedules," so specific devices turn on or off at set times, and "Robots," so the activation of one product triggers actions in other products. Wink Hub 2 includes support for products from brands like Amazon, Philips, Nest, Kwikset, GE, and more. The company said that since these processes are running locally on Wink Hub 2 they gain "increased speed and reliability."

The company is also updating its iOS and Android Wink app to version 5.0, introducing a streamlined setup system for new users, and a no-hassle hub-to-hub transfer process for existing Wink Hub owners.

Wink Hub 2 will be available in late October for $99 at The Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, and Wink's own website. The company will also continue to sell the original Wink Hub for $69 at the same retail and online locations "while supplies last." Users can download the free Wink app from the iOS App Store [Direct Link] now, and the update is said to be launching sometime soon.

Update: Wink 2 is now available for $99 from Wink.com, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Amazon.

Article Link: Connected Smart Home Device 'Wink Hub 2' Brings Better Connectivity and Security

 

[djearlybird]

...and still no home kit integration.

 

[ipedro]

Terrible ecosystem that's been nothing but trouble for me. They fixed a lot of the problems recently but it's too late. I'm all in with HomeKit and Wink doesn't seem interested because they want to build their own ecosystem. Good luck competing against Apple.

I've been replacing what I have left which now amounts to a Relay on the wall and a door sensor. I'll be replacing the Wink Relay with an iPad mini mounted to the wall with the Home app on and the door sensor will be replaced by an El Gato HomeKit sensor.

 

[Ziggy...]

Why has no one come out with a homekit enabled zwave hub? I am currently stuck with Smart Things hub running "homebridge" a piece of software that emulates a homekit enabled device. It works rather well, but would appreciate something with support from a reliable company.

 

[awer25]

...and still no home kit integration.

My understanding is that to be HomeKit compatible all connected devices also need to be HomeKit compatible. As a hub, it would be greatly limiting to only do HomeKit devices.

I've been using the current Wink hub and a couple Relays for several months now and absolutely love it. It has an Apple feel to it, a very clean GUI, and works perfectly with a ton of devices.

 

[ronbrinkmann]

Are there any homekit-enabled door/window sensors that can be installed IN the door instead of as ugly warts on the outside? i.e. a homekit equivalent to this: https://www.amazon.com/Recessed-Door-Sensor-ZW089--Aeotec/dp/B0151Z49BO/nothingreal

 

[yamahaglock]

I am a current Wink user and think this is great news.

Until HomeKit speaks other industry standards beyond wifi and bluetooth, like zwave and zigbee, it will not be a very complete smart home solution. They could probably accomplish this fairly easily by building zwave and zigbee into their next Applet TV.

For now, I think the best way to build a DIY smart home is with platforms like Wink and SmartThings, even with their shortcomings.

 

[2457282]

I have the ring video doorbell and the philip Hue/White light bulbs. I am also looking to get smart locks, maybe 2 thermostats (not sure since I have radiators on one and forced air for cooling on the other). I also researching smart vents and window sensors. Given the state of the industry, I am thinking that Wink is the only thing today that can tie it all together, because Homekit has been a bust for the last few years since its announcement. I am ready to give up on Homekit and move on to something better. From the comments here other than the homekit integration, I do not see anything negative. So maybe this is the way to go....

 

[macduke]

If it doesn't support HomeKit, I'm not buying it. I'm all in now.

 

[theBB]

I've been replacing what I have left which now amounts to a Relay on the wall and a door sensor. I'll be replacing the Wink Relay with an iPad mini mounted to the wall with the Home app on and the door sensor will be replaced by an El Gato HomeKit sensor.

Elgato door/window sensor has horrible reviews on Amazon. It seems it didn't used to notify you or trigger when the door is opened, but told you the open/closed state of your door only if you ask the device about it. Supposedly, iOS10 update fixes that shortcoming, but no good review has been posted since then. Please let us know about your experience.

 

[x-evil-x]

what hubs actually support homekit? My philips hue works through it but thats about it.

 

[pixelrogue]

I have a Wink house. Tons of z-wave devices and it kills me that Wink still refuses to integrate with Home Kit.

Their blog posts would give a vanilla acknowledgement of Home Kit, saying it is still relatively new and will keep an eye on it, only to release a new hub 6-12 months later shafting Home Kit.

Secondly - no love to those long time loyal users to upgrade to the new hub.

Those on Smart Things with Home Bridge, I have been reading up a bit. Seems like a lot of code ~ is this simple enough for non-coder to get working?

All - curious if the Wink has actually gone so far as to "exclude" non- partner z-wave devices with this new hub.

 

[ipedro]

Elgato door/window sensor has horrible reviews on Amazon. It seems it didn't used to notify you or trigger when the door is opened, but told you the open/closed state of your door only if you ask the device about it. Supposedly, iOS10 update fixes that shortcoming, but no good review has been posted since then. Please let us know about your experience.

Yes, it seems like it was a HomeKit shortcoming. Another one I found is that HomeKit doesn't yet have an option to set a thermostat off when a door open sensor is triggered and back to its previous mode when the door is closed.

HomeKit is still very much a work in progress.

 

[aristobrat]

My understanding is that to be HomeKit compatible all connected devices also need to be HomeKit compatible. As a hub, it would be greatly limiting to only do HomeKit devices.

I'm not sure that's correct. Insteon and Lutron sell their own HomeKit hubs that make their otherwise non-HomeKit compatible devices work with it.
[doublepost=1475113754][/doublepost]

Why has no one come out with a homekit enabled zwave hub? I am currently stuck with Smart Things hub running "homebridge" a piece of software that emulates a homekit enabled device. It works rather well, but would appreciate something with support from a reliable company.

Same boat here, but I'm also need for HomeKit automation logic to advance a bit too.

Right now, I can have HomeKit turn on lights based off of a motion sensor trigger, but I have no way to turn the same lights off automatically 15 minutes later.

Until then, I'm using an ISY as my Insteon/zwave hub plus Homebridge, which doesn't quite support all of my zwave stuff.

 

[x-evil-x]

I have a Wink house. Tons of z-wave devices and it kills me that Wink still refuses to integrate with Home Kit.

Their blog posts would give a vanilla acknowledgement of Home Kit, saying it is still relatively new and will keep an eye on it, only to release a new hub 6-12 months later shafting Home Kit.

Secondly - no love to those long time loyal users to upgrade to the new hub.

Those on Smart Things with Home Bridge, I have been reading up a bit. Seems like a lot of code ~ is this simple enough for non-coder to get working?

All - curious if the Wink has actually gone so far as to "exclude" non- partner z-wave devices with this new hub.

Im pretty upset about the second gen hub not supporting home kit also. Lots of angry people we don't know the situation with apple and the approval process.
Isn't siri open to developers now anyway? Meaning they can set programs for siri to use just like homekit(This is the only reason why i want homekit).
I like the interface and quick lunch widgets on wink.
I didn't expect them to have an incentive upgrade program which is just ridiculous you think that you think there should be one.
Does playstation offer a trader in on the ps3-ps4? Xbox from the 360 to one? Just because a company comes out with new tech doesnt mean they should give it away for free. Its not the same thing as paying for a phone every month and turning it in for a new one in a year or two. The hub is paid off and yours. You have the option to sell it and buy a new one just like other tech.

 

[awer25]

I'm not sure that's correct. Insteon and Lutron sell their own HomeKit hubs that make their otherwise non-HomeKit compatible devices work with it.

Don't Insteon and Lutron hubs only control their own products though (just like Hue)? If they only control their own in a closed ecosystem, then they can become HomeKit compatible relatively easy. However you don't see any of the more open hubs working with HomeKit (like Vera, Smartthings, Wink, etc) due to the controlled device compatibility issue.