Wink (platform)

Wink

A Simpler Way to a Smarter Home
Developer(s) Flex
Initial release June 22, 2014 (2014-06-22)
Development status Active
Operating system iOS 8.0 or later
Android 4.0 or later
watchOS (Apple Watch)
Android Wear
Available in English
Website www.wink.com

Wink is a smart home platform made by a partnership between Quirky and GE.[1] It allows control over 100 smart products from companies such as Bali, Chamberlain, GE, Honeywell, Kidde, Kwikset, Leviton, Lutron, Philips, Rachio, Rheem, Schlage and TCP.[2] The platform uses encryption to keep it secure from hackers.[3] They also have an IFTTT channel to activate Wink shortcuts.[4]

In November 2015, Wink was acquired by Flex.[5]

History

Wink started as an app to control smart home devices by Quirky + GE. However, it was later developed to allow other companies to integrate their smart home products into Wink. By July 7, 2014, Wink had partnered with 15 brands and announced their first product, the Wink Hub, which would allow third-party smart devices to be connected to one app. Wink also announced an Android Wear app, making Wink the first smart home platform to have a smartwatch app.[6] Home Depot also announced that they would have a section of Wink products at all their stores in the US. To mark their launch, Wink created a series of marketing videos featuring a robot butler, and additionally dropped fake boxes for said robot butler in major cities.[7] On September 2014, Wink signed a deal with Home Depot Canada to bring their products into the Canadian market. Wink announced their second product on September 23, 2014. It was called Relay and allows smart devices to be controlled from a wall-mounted device.[8] On April 18, 2015, Wink had a system wide outage due to an expired SSL Certificate that didn't allow hubs to connect to the Wink servers.[9][10] In June 2015, rumors started circulating that Quirky was planning to sell Wink due to the high operating costs.[11] Also in June, Wink partnered with Pro.com to offer professional installation of Wink compatible products.[12][13] On July 8, 2015, the Amazon Echo gained support to control certain Wink devices with full compatibility in the works.[14] On September 22, 2015, Wink's parent company, Quirky, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[15][16]

A box for a Robot Butler, left on the street in New York City, as part of a guerrilla marketing campaign for Wink.

Products

Wink App

The Wink App manages all Wink products. It is available for iOS, watchOS, Android and Android Wear. It also makes "robots" which trigger actions based on a certain event. On Android, Google Now integrates with your Wink smart home.[17] For example, you could say, "Ok Google, Activate home mode on Wink". The hub is manufactured by Flextronics.

Wink Hub

The Wink Hub connects all existing (wink-compatible) home automation products to the Wink app. The hub is able to communicate via WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, 433 MHz RF, ZWave and Lutron.

Wink Relay

The Wink Relay has a 4.3" touchscreen that runs a custom version of Android. It also has 2 switches, sensors, a microphone and a speaker.

Compatible Products[18]

Lighting

Switches and Outlets

Cameras and Sensors

Locks and Garage Doors

Thermostats

Lawn and Patio

Appliances

Window Treatments

Voice Control

References

External links

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