Wink Review – Connecting your Devices, Let there be light!
Now it’s time to add some devices. The first to be added is a CREE Wink certified bulb. I added screen shots below of the process. I opened the Wink app. Tapped add a new product. Selected lights. Then selected CREE bulb. As with adding the Wink hub to the network I was presented with a wizard.
The wizards in the Wink app are well done, nice graphics and very specific instructions. They are not generic either. The instructions for this specific wizard were for the Cree light bulb. Even the artwork used matched the look of the bulb I was connecting. I also noticed it was 6 steps, as was the initial setup. Connecting the Cree bulb was simple. Install the bulb. In my case it was in a standing lamp for the corner of the room. Step 3, informs you that you will need to turn on your Cree light, when instructed. I promptly shut the lamp off.
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The next step is to get the Wink hub ready. Step 4 of 6 has a big green CONNECT NOW button. Once pressed, the app searches for a second and then states, Wink hub is ready, Turn on your Cree bulb. I hit the switch for the lamp, the Cree bulb blinked once.
Voila! After a few seconds another success screen. Then you have the option to Name the light, Add another light, or Get Started.
After I renamed the light I was then was presented with the getting started screens. They are a nice tutorial on how to use the light icons. It explained that you tap the icon to turn them on an off. As well as swiping left to right to dim the lights. There was a yellow background that indicated the light was on. Also a bar to indicate the amount of dimming when you swiped back and forth. I am very pleased with how much fore thought Wink put into their app. The Wink app really keeps you informed through the whole process.
I also installed 3 GE Wink certified bulbs. The process was very much the same. I select add product, lights, then chose GE Wink light bulb. Following the wizard they were quickly installed and renamed. Again, I am impressed with the detail in the Wink app. When installing the GE bulbs, all the art work and instructions were specifically for GE bulbs. They were not just generic steps to follow.
The process was the same for the rest of the lights. Each time cycling through the wizard and naming the bulb. I did try and do 2 at once, but ended up with neither being found. They were both quickly picked up when I added them to the Wink hub one at a time. Go figure, that what I get when I try and go around the directions.
Getting the lights connected to the Wink hub went smooth and easy. As you would expect. As we look to home automation products to make things easier. They must be reliable and easy to use. Two very key points, automation should make things easier, and must perform reliably. If you need an IT department to support it, it is not ready for prime time home use.
