Securifi Community Forum
Securifi Products => Almond+ => Topic started by: kbtn on July 14, 2015, 11:57:29 am
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Is there even anyone left working on this product? There is clearly no one even answering the questions posted here.
This product had so much potential. It is a shame that after all the hype and all the money it it ended up being a bit of a flop.
Samsung purchased SmartThings and is releasing a new version that will surely be the nail in the coffin for this product. I feel like spending $250 for a product in Alpha was a huge mistake--lesson learned.
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Why would it be dead? They literally released an update a month ago for it. Give the team a break. Do you really expect them to answer questions 24/7?
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Unfortunately I think so. One update every couple of months is not going to cut it. With this speed, it's going to be at least another 2 years to come out of beta.
No road map yet though many of us asked for countless number of times.
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I wish securifi would sell off the almond to a company with the resources to make it work to its potential. Then we would all be able to benefit including securifi who will at least see some income from the sale.
On the current course, securifi will be bankrupt in a year or two. Right now, they are blinded from the profits they are receiving from their marketing hype. Once a few tech sites start reviewing the almond, their sales will tank and they will lose everything.
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Not sure what their sales are but you really think they would be blinded by profits? A ton of people backed for the Almond+ at $99 but ended up with something that has even better hardware than originally estimated. Is the software there... No. Are they working on it? IMO they are and I have seen substantial improvements compared to how it originally arrived. I do not think it is a "prime time" device yet but as long as they do not stop working on it there is still potential.
So, again IMO, not dead but still needs work.
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Why would it be dead? They literally released an update a month ago for it. Give the team a break. Do you really expect them to answer questions 24/7?
Why? Because this product is not ready for primetime and the current schedule they are on will make the hardware obsolete before the software catches up. The company still has no posted roadmap or published vision statement despite the community's repeated requests. The basic router portion functions fine, but the software is still being tweaked for the most basic of functions. It is basically just OpenWRT that you can install on any router yourself and the company is tweaking the firmware revisions to address various issues as customers report them. The firmware updates are really only addressing critical issues that effect operation and no real additions or fixes for the home automation angle that is the real marketing of this device and the main reason many people supported it.
I would love to "give them a break" but they did not market or sell this device as beta hardware. All anyone wants is for an item to live up to its marketing hype. Yes, I know many companies let consumers down and even the biggest companies fall short sometimes.
Having a router integrated with home automation is a great concept, but you may want to think about two separate and more polished products on the market if your intent is serious control of your home while you are away. This item is just too buggy and unfinished to trust with your home's safekeeping, which is very frustrating. I love the concept and the company has one of the best tech support teams I have ever seen, but, again, the product is just not ready for prime time.
I do not expect 24/7 answers in the forum, but a quick review of the posting clearly show that in the past 30 days, the majority of question have gone unaddressed by securifi--they can do a little better than that.
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Not sure what their sales are but you really think they would be blinded by profits? A ton of people backed for the Almond+ at $99 but ended up with something that has even better hardware than originally estimated. Is the software there... No. Are they working on it? IMO they are and I have seen substantial improvements compared to how it originally arrived. I do not think it is a "prime time" device yet but as long as they do not stop working on it there is still potential.
So, again IMO, not dead but still needs work.
I definitely agree with you--there is a ton of potential here. They have to push a little harder to stay on top of what they are doing right now to show the community they are still progressing. If Securifi keeps moving forward with this, they could become be the company that leads this particular market.
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I'm pretty sure it's dying a slow dead the way things are going right now...
Devices are added at an incredibly slow rate, and when they are added, it's only in 1 of the many UI's. There is no consistency anywhere....
I was happily waiting for updates, improvements, beta releases as long as the device was only available to backers.
But the moment they started selling it on Amazon, my patience ended. If you want to sell it officially, get your act together and make sure it works as intended.
Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive, but if you read them, most people just use it as a simple router, not HA. You can get any simple router for that...
So, if updates don't start coming faster (devices, stability, functionality), I don't see a bright future for the A+ (at least not for mine...)
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I remain optimistic here.
That said just yesterday used one Almond + with one said Amazon Echo. Bean working fine.
Someone from the Vera site put out a jar file for use as an emulator of sorts.
Really would like to see this work with the Almond +.
I did test and enable the Amazon Echo automation pieces with the emulator and another piece of automation software.
Worked great and the Amazon Echo assimilated my test devices just fine.
I know this is a bit off topic. Just stating that the Almond + is a one of a kind device and there is nothing available like it.
Yup; routers are a dime a dozen and readily available these days. Here have gone to using PFSense.
Where can you find a combination router, switch, AP, firewall, LCD touchscreen and Zigbee / Z-Wave tiny automation box today?
I know of no other company that makes one.
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Whether they are the only one making this type of device or not, is not relevant here.
What is relevant is the fact that it is still not working as it should.
I would (and will) happily use 2 or more separate devices if this means I can at least use them for what they are made.
You call it an all-in-one device, but basically it's just a router (router, switch, AP, firewall is 1 device in every router) and a HA-controller with an LCD on top.
But the router and HA are separated (no interaction possible between network and HA, so for example you can't detect on wifi if phones are connected to use in your HA-rules).
So you can just as well use 2 separate devices, just take up a little more space.
Sorry about the pessimism, but I think we've been pretty patient up until now, so we would like to see some progress, or at least a sign of it in a roadmap.
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I have to think we will start seeing that integration between some router abilities and HA abilities. Like you mentioned, detecting smartphone connections would be a very nice add and has been something people have requested. It opens up a few possibilities even if it is simple "is it there or not". Creepy when you read about big retail stores using the capability (even if you do not connect to their network your phone can still be "testing" to see if there is wifi it will connect to) to monitor people... but it make sense with your house. Wonder if it could determine signal strength as a sensor reading. Maybe useful for wifi sensors in a house...
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Pete,
did you say you go Almond + working with Echo? If so, how?
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No
I have multiple LANs / WANs (PFSense Firewall) and used an Almond + wireless configuration for the Amazon Echo.
That said using a new jar file emulation to my automation mothership.
It would be nice to run Java on the Almond +.
That said noticed a 100% CPU hit when running the JAR file on the RPi2 today so will not be testing this on the RPi2 and moving it to an Intel Haswell iSeries mothership.
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Ok, so it's obvious nobody from Securifi staff is going to react here (I'm assuming pete isn't 'official' staff) to at least reassure us about the status of this device.
I suggest everybody who's as worried (or lets just call it frustrated) as me to send a personal message to the Securifi CEO (http://forum.securifi.com/index.php?action=profile;u=7) and hope we will get at least some reaction from their part...
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Over the last few weeks I have begun to worry about this as well. We were supposed to be receiving monthly or so software updates. As a beta tester I generally received them 1 to 2 weeks early for testing. Having not received one recently is disappointing. I keep hoping the next update is the "big one" but it hasn't happened yet. It doesn't seem like a ton is happening so I only hope there is a lot going on behind the scenes. I don't know if the company is making enough money on these to stay afloat or if they have funding from other sources but I hope that doesn't become an issue since the hardware is current and solid now but if it takes 2 more years to get it up to where it belongs on the software side, it will be outdated. I still like the Almond+ (my Almond 2015 is much less successful as a range extender than my original Almond) I wish it did more that it should and did what it does now even better.
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I'm working in Singapore and had two Almond + devices working very well in my vacant house and my mother's house in the US. Unfortunately, the new firmware and cloud updates messed up my configuration. I was unable to see my activated sensors online, so Securifi told me to upgrade to R080, which I did. Now I can see my sensors but can't access them. Next step is to remove and add them back to the devices. Easy to say, but I'm overseas and the houses are vacant. Very frustrating. I was only home for a few hours the last time and thought I successfully added my Cree and GE lights, but they quit working.
I purchased many more sensors, but decided to wait until all these problems were resolved. This is not for the faint of heart, or for someone like me that relies on leaving a working system just to find out a month later that firmware and cloud has been "upgraded" and you've lost connectivity. Can't depend on it to monitor a vacation house or assist an elderly person to automate their home.
I can install older firmware, but then I can't see my sensors on the Cloud. I've got too much invested, but I'm willing to move along if I don't see progress. It also appears that no recent beta firmware has been released to address problems encountered by some of the sensors had with the last few releases.I cannot recommend the device to my family members that were initially impressed when I had a few things automated. The potential is there, but we must hear from Securifi on current and future plans to fix these issues. I understand if you have small staff and are overwhelmed, but your customers need to be informed on these plans. Please publish a roadmap of where you're going and when. Thanks!
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I kind of second Pete. simply because we have invested our time (not just money) in to this and it definitely isnt a bad product. I can sense that they guy at the top really had the right motive behind this all but also needs the funds to keep this setup going (therefore the need to sell on Amazon) so what is wrong with that? if it justifies the very existence of the company. How else can you keep feeding yourself and your employees and keep up the infrastructure????
We can be critical of them them all we want but you have to be realistic on the economic front too! Sure I want the rules working and the A+ at the level of a well behaved HAS, they need our support if you want them to survive. We invested in all of this together so lets give them any support they need. Not sure how we can, but that's for Securifi to spell out. For e.g. I cannot and will not recommend this product to my friends and family if Securifi are going to keep quiet and do their own thing ... or not! Frankly we need you guys at securifi to be proactive and keep us posted or its only a matter of time before all of us jump ship. And word on the net gets around way too fast despite some of our best intentions. Guys are you listening?
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Same here, I think we're in quite a sad phase at the moment. Progress has reached a plateau for several weeks now, firmware is being released which feels like QA didn't do a good job, and communication has hit a substantial low since Lars has left. Responses, if any, from Securifi and/or moderators have become vague and almost meaningless. I stopped counting how often a roadmap has been requested or at least some insights on what is being worked on at the moment. But nothing is happening, Securifi has become a black box. This type of development does not pair well with a funding, engaged community.
Team Securifi: You are losing touch with your customer base. I've seen many consumer electronic startups take this route and it's impossible to recover.
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I second the sentiment expressed in this forum. i was impressed with securifi how they handled the phase till shipping out hardware. Things were still fine till Lars was here, there was good transparent communication. Current state leaves me worried. I dont have the confidence to use Almond+ as either my primary router or primary HA server. Hope Securifi takes steps to improve confidence an example will be publishing a roadmap of features/enhancements that we can expect.
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I just wanted to throw my hat in here and agree with everyone that I start to wonder abandoning the A+. The lack of a Roadmap is killing me!
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I also agree with you all. I don't think it is asking to much for a roadmap, which I'm sure might have changes from time to time, but at least an idea of where this is going. I do think the Almond+ has a ton of potential, but I'm afraid before to long many will bail on this project for something else.
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@ All,
No guys, we have not given up. Many of our developers are spending 50-60hr weeks working on our next release. This will be a big one. It will have the following features
-Scenes
-Nest Integration
-Support for more sensors
-Improvements to Rules Engine
-Two big surprises
We can't commit to a release date but these features are working in our lab already and we're fixing bugs now. We want to make sure its a well tested before release. If any of you want to do early beta testing, please let us know. But you will have to sign an NDA. We want to make sure there is an element of surprise and we can do some PR activities when these features are announced.
We will continue to add new features and fix bugs for Almond routers for the foreseeable future. After this new release, we will talk about what comes after that.
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Ashok, that is some great news!!
I am really happy to finally hear some positive news. If all those features will be available (soon), that will be a huge improvement!
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@ Ashok, This is most excellent news. I was truly hoping this would be the case. I would be willing to test the private beta as I am already testing the beta releases. You can send me a message here to set up when its time if you'd like.
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@Ashok,
I would also like to be part of the beta. Just let me know what I need to do/sign.
Thanks.
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Forgot to mention it, but obviously I am also very interested in testing these beta releases! :-)
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@ All,
No guys, we have not given up. Many of our developers are spending 50-60hr weeks working on our next release. This will be a big one. It will have the following features
-Scenes
-Nest Integration
-Support for more sensors
-Improvements to Rules Engine
-Two big surprises
We can't commit to a release date but these features are working in our lab already and we're fixing bugs now. We want to make sure its a well tested before release. If any of you want to do early beta testing, please let us know. But you will have to sign an NDA. We want to make sure there is an element of surprise and we can do some PR activities when these features are announced.
We will continue to add new features and fix bugs for Almond routers for the foreseeable future. After this new release, we will talk about what comes after that.
Ashok,
Wink if DSC/Ademco alarm panel integration is one of the 2 surprises :-)
Securifi promised in one of our early postings that you would let us know the status of this very powerful feature - may be that I missed it or you guys forgot about it...
Thanks - good news indeed. Hopefully A+ will be ready to challenge ST v2 platform in the HA front.
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Send an NDA this way... hopefully as a docusign document or with a us fax number =)
Still hope for it to interoperate a bit better ... It still doesn't like my Wimax device.. though by the end of this year that will be moot..
-J
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No guys, we have not given up.
We will continue to add new features and fix bugs for Almond routers for the foreseeable future. After this new release, we will talk about what comes after that.
That is good news, I had started giving up on the Almond+ as a Home Automation platform du to a lack of updates and progress.
I pledged for the KS campaign mainly for the Home Automation, and this area had recieved the least amount of love from Securifi, so I really hope something starts happening on this side of things. Right now it is a very nice router with some remote control of appliances and some basic rules, but not much more.
We can't commit to a release date but these features are working in our lab already and we're fixing bugs now. We want to make sure its a well tested before release. If any of you want to do early beta testing, please let us know. But you will have to sign an NDA. We want to make sure there is an element of surprise and we can do some PR activities when these features are announced.
I would love to take part in Beta testing, so sign me up for the list.
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Ashok
I would like to be part of the beta program as well. I have over 37 devices of zwave/zigbee combo. Still not installed the schlage locks due to issues. Would love to be able to use them.
Thanks
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Thanks Ashok for the update!!! Looking forward to the next release!
@medatom - I have a Schlage lock installed and it works fine. Only issue is when its unlocked it says its locked and vice versa. Also, I had to revert back to R72 for it to be functional though.
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Good news Ashok!
I would like to shake your hand but I am near Chicago today. ;)
@Fire69
(I'm assuming pete isn't 'official' staff)
I am not. I am one of you yuts (but old these days)
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Sign me up as well
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pete, old really? Unless your pic is a scanned self portrait... But in that case congrats for staying with the times in technology. :)
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Old really and automation yutful..
I am not totally grey here yet. My father though started to get grey at 70. My brother in law got grey at 30. My first car was a 1964 Pontiac Gran Pix (with bucket seats).
Automated home with X10 in the 1970s (late 1970's). I had a Commodore Pet / C64 BBS in Chicago in the early 1980's using Ventel modems and automated with the C64.
Always tinkered. Went from X10 to Insteon to UPB (well and Zigbee and Zeewave).
None the less and related to OP Ashok has brought us good news.
I could feel the tension over here near Chicago.
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I respect software innovation is hard, and I surely don't have the skills myself to do what they do. I'm glad smart people are advancing technology for enthusiasts like me. So I've cut a lot of slack over may months, but am impatient too. The H.A. device support and rules interface just isn't there yet. So it's great to hear a new release is coming.
I keep in mind that what does work on A+ is a lot of fun, and I like knowing my home status (lights, thermostat) are off when I'm away and forgot to check them. It's also awesome to arrive at my home airport in the summer, and turn on the A/C at home so the house is cool when I get there. Or to have the peace of mind knowing the coffee pot automatically turns off when I open the front door to leave. This was the stuff of sci-fi15 years ago!
For my own friends seeking only a router, I'd gladly recommend A+. My own router experience has been stellar. But I tell my friends interested in H.A. not to buy the A+ (yet) since I know they will be really frustrated with the current experience. When A+ is really ready for prime time, I'm glad to advocate for it.
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I would love to do beta testing for this. Send a NDA my way!
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I have had A+ since it was sent to me through Kickstarter and Im all about being a beta tester or trying new and onnovative items. I do it all the time. BUt I have to admit that getting to some solid firmware is taking a longer time than normal.
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Please sign me up for beta.
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Thanks for the update!
I would be willing to test the new release if you need more people. Just message me.
EDIT: I just saw your pinned post at the top of the forum and sent you an email.
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Id like to be a beta tester too......
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I'll test if you need one more, used to dealing with NDA's so that's not a problem.
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Someone please check the Cree Connected Smart Bulb LEDs for compatibility with the latest beta when it becomes available. I'd do it myself but don't have time. I have several of the Cree Connected Smart LEDs and am still stuck on release R72 to keep them somewhat supported -- have had problems with all later firmware releases I've tried. Haven't personally tried R80 firmware with them yet -- I remember reading someone else was still having problems with R80 and the Cree Connected LEDs, so didn't bother.
Would really like to see the latest general firmware release have them working so I can upgrade my firmware without losing functionality.
Securifi has a Cree Connected Smart LED bulb on hand for testing, so if anyone finds compatibility bugs, they should be able to test to replicate the problem and fix it hopefully.
Thanks!
Johnny
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I would love to be given an opportunity to beta test.
Thank you
Jason N.
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No guys, we have not given up. Many of our developers are spending 50-60hr weeks working on our next release. This will be a big one. It will have the following features
-Scenes
-Nest Integration
-Support for more sensors
-Improvements to Rules Engine
-Two big surprises
Just when I was about to throw in the towel, @Ashok breaks some news! Sweet!
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Someone please check the Cree Connected Smart Bulb LEDs for compatibility with the latest beta when it becomes available. I'd do it myself but don't have time. I have several of the Cree Connected Smart LEDs and am still stuck on release R72 to keep them somewhat supported -- have had problems with all later firmware releases I've tried. Haven't personally tried R80 firmware with them yet -- I remember reading someone else was still having problems with R80 and the Cree Connected LEDs, so didn't bother.
Would really like to see the latest general firmware release have them working so I can upgrade my firmware without losing functionality.
Securifi has a Cree Connected Smart LED bulb on hand for testing, so if anyone finds compatibility bugs, they should be able to test to replicate the problem and fix it hopefully.
Thanks!
Johnny
I have 20-30 of those bulbs in use so I will be working the issue along with others I'm sure.
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@Securecomp -- great, thanks!
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@ All,
No guys, we have not given up. Many of our developers are spending 50-60hr weeks working on our next release. This will be a big one. It will have the following features
-Scenes
-Nest Integration
-Support for more sensors
-Improvements to Rules Engine
-Two big surprises
We can't commit to a release date but these features are working in our lab already and we're fixing bugs now. We want to make sure its a well tested before release. If any of you want to do early beta testing, please let us know. But you will have to sign an NDA. We want to make sure there is an element of surprise and we can do some PR activities when these features are announced.
We will continue to add new features and fix bugs for Almond routers for the foreseeable future. After this new release, we will talk about what comes after that.
I hope one of the two big surprises is compatibility with Amazon Echo. If Securifi can get the Almond+ to work with Amazon Echo and advertise it through Amazon, it will be a major hit.
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I hope one of the two big surprises is compatibility with Amazon Echo. If Securifi can get the Almond+ to work with Amazon Echo and advertise it through Amazon, it will be a major hit.
I'm with you. I am about ready to dig the stupid Wink hub out of the closet , just so I can control more than just my 1 ( unreliable) WeMo switch with our Echoes . I would even be happy if they could get the app to work with our Kindles, get the notifications on Fire phone.
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I'm hoping that its one of the big surprises is an Open API. Once they fix the platform to allow API connections, things like IFTTT and Echo become much easier to intergrate with. And maybe the other surprise is intergration with something like Echo/IFTTT. Both of which I will gladly test. ;D
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Updated OpenWRT version with package support would be much appreciated.
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Hi Ashok,
While the Almond+ has Home and Away, it does not have "Stay" mode.
Currently you are limited to saying you are either arming or disarming the alarm.
The issue with this is that if you want to have windows/glass break sensors on when you are at home, you can't have motion sensors there as well.
Hence the need for three modes:
Away: all sensors, motion, door, window, break
Stay: door, window, break
Home/disarm: sensors off except for other such as other rules or flood sensors only e.g.
-Alan
@ All,
No guys, we have not given up. Many of our developers are spending 50-60hr weeks working on our next release. This will be a big one. It will have the following features
-Scenes
-Nest Integration
-Support for more sensors
-Improvements to Rules Engine
-Two big surprises
We can't commit to a release date but these features are working in our lab already and we're fixing bugs now. We want to make sure its a well tested before release. If any of you want to do early beta testing, please let us know. But you will have to sign an NDA. We want to make sure there is an element of surprise and we can do some PR activities when these features are announced.
We will continue to add new features and fix bugs for Almond routers for the foreseeable future. After this new release, we will talk about what comes after that.
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I am agreeing with a lot of others that the wait between major upgrades and lack of product awareness by a lot of the larger companies to want to integrate with this product make other platforms like SmartThings look too attractive to pass up. Was hoping the Almond+ would have developed along to do the things that it mentioned, but it seems that lack of features and stability mean I have to move on. Good luck to everyone else that sticks it out, and hope it does everything at some point soon. :)
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Being a bit frustrated with the HA side of things I was looking at a competitor's site today. Luckily I found this thread, and saw Ashok's post about new features in the pipeline.
I'm attaching a link from one of the competitors to show what I really want from a device like the Almond+. I don't want it to do "EVERYTHING"; I just want it to do things well, and allow me to leverage the work of others to make it do what I want.
https://community.smartthings.com/t/list-of-all-officially-published-apps-from-the-more-category-of-smart-setup-in-the-mobile-app/13673
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Didn't read all of the list, but Almond+ can do a lot of that withy the rules engine.
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@Revoman @Blueiris
I agree that the Almond+ can do several of the items on the list, but as I read through the list I don't believe the Almond+ does many of them reliably, bug free, and I would not put my trust in it. I think Revoman's comment is on target as far as getting things working WELL. If I can't trust the various Almond+ methods (App, LCD, Web, Cloud) to reliably open/close or lock/unlock something and report the right status then it's nothing more than a lamp timer (which also doesn't always work if the cloud is down but at least that isn't super important).
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I'm really seriously looking at getting a SmartThings hub. Their community support seems really good, and they even have an IDE to create and modify devices, so it appears that even if something isn't directly supported, it can in most cases be made to work. They also have what looks like a very robust and well documented developer interface to help with getting custom devices to work. So far, I'm impressed with what I see, as impressed with that as I am disappointed that we haven't heard anything from Securifi in a long time, and have not had a firmware update in over 2 months.
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............................................... I am disappointed that we haven't heard anything from Securifi in a long time, and have not had a firmware update in over 2 months.
Given the request for more Beta testers in the forum, I would think that it will be a while before we see another general release of firmware.
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In the end I got an Xclaim Xi-3 for Wi-Fi and a Smartthings hub for HA. I've just relegated my Almond+ to routing duties for now. Luckily the type of Ethernet connectors I use stay in place. Really though the Almond+ overall has been a letdown to me given the length of time I have had it. It felt like it had so much potential in all areas just waiting to be unlocked with software updates; but it doesn't seem to be happening.
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Yeah, I was hoping that the whole beta tester signup was an indication that things were moving, but it's been a ghost town so far in terms of getting anything to test. I also notice that Smartthings has IFTTT and Pushbullet integration already. Honestly, the more I look into it, the more I am inclined to switch.
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We're all beta testers. I'm thinking smart things over any of the other HA platforms. I need something that will allow me to use the sensors I bought for the Almond +.
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I plan to keep the almond at very least as an access point , but at the same time...
I'm looking at the Isy from UDI
forum.universal-devices.com/
Does insteon and z-wave.
The forum has extremely knowledgeable people and the ceo responds to posts all the time.
They are about stability all day long.
Worth a look.
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I plan to keep the almond at very least as an access point , but at the same time...
I'm looking at the Isy from UDI
forum.universal-devices.com/
Does insteon and z-wave.
The forum has extremely knowledgeable people and the ceo responds to posts all the time.
They are about stability all day long.
Worth a look.
That's excellent.. Thanks!
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Any product supporting both zwave and zigbee? Looks like vera,isy are out. Wink is garbage still....
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I think SmartThings is the next best alternative.
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Homey does both and much more.
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The website still says pre-order, but have they shipped to the backers? I did not back them in Kickstarter after the Almond+ experience, but I would assume they would have similar startup problems as Almond+ .
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Homey does both and much more.
$470 US , it ought to do more...here's hoping they live up to the advertising. Definitely an interesting project.
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$470 US , it ought to do more...here's hoping they live up to the advertising. Definitely an interesting project.
I agree , almost triple the price and twice as many promises as A+
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Pre-order is 299€, that's 332$. Where do you get the 470?
When you got it from Kickstarter it was only half, just like the A+.
Technically the Wink looks best with Z-Wave, Zigbee and BT for just 50 bucks. But apparently it's not very stable?
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Wink is *not* stable..
Am looking for an HA device myself.. Pondering SmartThings, VeraEdge, Staples Connect V2, others..
Any recommendations?
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Yeah maybe now an Open API would help?
You can also look at Homegenie as there was mention of a Zigbee driver for it a few years back. It is free and runs just fine on the RPi2.
Another option is to have a look at OpenHab 2.0. That too now runs fine on the RPi2.
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Pre-order is 299€, that's 332$. Where do you get the 470?
When you got it from Kickstarter it was only half, just like the A+.
Technically the Wink looks best with Z-Wave, Zigbee and BT for just 50 bucks. But apparently it's not very stable?
Homey was originally to deliver the first batch at 400 Euros (conversion rate in April 2014, when ordered was 1.4, not the 1.1 of today or $560 or $420 for the 299 level), delivered April 2015. The hardware won't actually ship until Aug 2015 (20 units only) at earliest and software is Beta. Sound familiar? Yes, later units were less expensive but don't have a ship date yet and the software is a wait an see at this point. Those fortunate enough to wait for the conversion rate to drop to 1.1 of today will indeed get it for about $330 US. Then again, when that product will actually be delivered is unknown. My guess, 2016 with software drops well into 2016.
Smartthings is a nice controller option but lacks the all in one functionality of the Almond+.
OpenHAB on an RPi2 works but it's still a DIY'er solution. Lots of stuff is still be ported to the RPi2 so there are plenty of challenges just getting simple stuff working when you are actually trying to accomplish something specific and not just load up an O/S and play.
My experience with the Almond+ is still one of satisfactory WiFi service and control of the basics of lights, locks, alarms and a few switches at multiple residences. Bugs with a few common items is irritating but not a show stopper imho. To be honest, the more I code, the less I am using the apps. My system is entirely driven by Voice Response at this point and I get verbal updates on status. When I finish working a few more issues, I'll turn my attention to some apps.
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Yeah here originally tested OpenHab 1.X on Ubuntu 32/64 bit and specifically only one plugin which related to my Leviton OmniPro Panel (OmniLink).
The author of said plugin has a history of use going back before OpenHab was around. The easy peasy configuration was a diagnostic mode write to a log and import to specific device items making it's use and configuration fast.
I have to date only tested the demo OpenHab 2.0 interface on Ubuntu (and only have read that it works fine on the RPi2). The OpenHab 2.0 version appears to be much more refined than OpenHab 1.0.
Base automation hardware here is via the combo Leviton HAI OmniPro II and software (since 1998) Homeseer. Devices utilized are X10, Insteon, UPB, Z-Wave and now Zigbee. Doubling up on controllers have matched sets on the hardware and software. I did migrate to multitoggle / many dual load UPB in wall switches here a few years back.
Relating to the Almond + personally have left it in testing mode rather than production which does ding me in a way not testing as much as I want to. It has worked fine for me. It is a one of a kind device with no match out there today that I know of. That said the idea was/is unique & logical. I do not think yet that there is a combo touchscreen, AP, firewall, router and automation box to date (?).
Concurrent with said tinkering of the Almond + went on a tangent a bit with OpenWRT getting a bit familiar with it and what I could do with it using microrouters. Caveat here has been limited memory and CPU speeds (which the Almond + has more of). I got spoiled with the every / always updated OpenWrt firmware revisions.
Production AP today is Ubiquiti and firewall is PFSense (BSD)). IE: used one custom AP / network just for the Amazon Echo play stuff.
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Samsung smartthings V2 just opened for pre-order for $99. Looks like it controls both zwave and zigbee. I am going to be running the almond plus as router only for now!!!! If you need to pre-order go to amazon. I am not sure we are allowed to provide links here.
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Samsung smartthings V2 just opened for pre-order for $99. Looks like it controls both zwave and zigbee. I am going to be running the almond plus as router only for now!!!! If you need to pre-order go to amazon. I am not sure we are allowed to provide links here.
Actually directly from smartthings you can get a bundle with PIR, D/W sensor and the Samsung for $99. It is not hard to find the link for the promo bundle and the code.
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Samsung Smartthings V2 looks like a good intro for those wanting to use a cloud connected hub and their smart phones for automation.
I am not knocking cloud based automation. I think it's a great idea and mechanism to get folks automating. It is not for me.
The Almond + unique piece is the LCD display. An Open API would allow integration making it a multi-functional controller and toggle on or off the cloud based stuff which was promised a long time ago.
Here primarily keep automation at home. I have used the Microsoft SAPI stuff since the late 1990's.
New stuff relating to SAPI these days is integration with the Microsoft Kinect (and using Cortana) and autonomously integrating the Amazon Echo stuff.
I like the new wireless sensors which work with Zigbee or Z-Wave. I have not found a reason yet to use a wireless RGB LED lamps; but testing these for fun and because I can. (regular LED bulbs and LED RGB strip).
I use EL lighting here for the hallways / bathrooms and it works great for me.
That said relating to security I am primarily wired and do utilize Leviton/HAI/GE wireless boxes on two security panels these days.
CCTV is all wired these days and now mostly IP HD POE stuff.
I can today optionally use IFTTT, cloud and Android, Iphone or Windows Phones to remote my automation software/firmware.
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v2 supposedly has local option instead of cloud.
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With the Google OnHub Announcement , I might just toss my Almond+.
the 5ghz has been buggy to begin with. I havent had time to tinker with much home automation since i've been using wink hub . I need a stable high speed wifi connection and almond+ has failed to deliver that. I for one am writing my investment off
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Yes. The product is dead. At least I only wasted $95
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I was a big fan of the Almond+ for a long time, but they have let us all down bigtime.
Ive been using Staples Connect (Dlink) and its a breath of fresh air. Its not perfect but its pretty darn good and is getting better.
Unfortunately the zigbee sensors that Securifi swindled me into buying dont work with it.
I just pre ordered Smartthings v2. It seems to be the future, with both great device compatibility and an API.
Hard to believe SmartThings V1 was on kickstarter not long before Almond+ was, and not only was that product functional, they are about to release v2.
Yes. The product is dead. At least I only wasted $95
unfortunately some of us bought a bunch of sensors too :-[ (which I havent gotten to work with any other HA hub)
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Waiting to see what the "big surprises" are before switching the A+ to router only duty.
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Waiting to see what the "big surprises" are before switching the A+ to router only duty.
Seriously... I think it's going to be worth the wait...
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You can always try to sell the sensors. They are pretty generic so I am surprised there is trouble having them work with other controllers EXCEPT for pairing issues where they "know" they were already paired with something. Resetting them first might help there.
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Seriously... I think it's going to be worth the wait...
You mean the wait for the initial release or the debugged version?
Is ST v2 that much different than v1?
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You mean the wait for the initial release or the debugged version?
Is ST v2 that much different than v1?
For me, the biggest selling point for ST v2 is the "local" option as opposed to "cloud only" option in v1. I will wait for the A+ "big surprises" before making the switch though.
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Why would a company create a universal do what automation hub that worked with any other automation company sensor anyways?
It is not a win win for them even though they give the "service" for free (well for a time).
These start up companies have not to date given out those wireless automation trinkets. (well and automated in wall switches, lamp modules, appliance modules, PIR modules, water sensors, et al) in one low priced package deal. (maybe 2-3 of them only).
And it already has flopped big time with all of the big box stores.
Geez who really would purchase their automation from an office supply store anyways?
What dumb idea that was on their part. That said though here purchase much from Amazon these days and even get Sunday deliveries.
And really who wants to purchase by the month something from their ISP provider that they never own but just pay for by the month anyways....(note that is a real win win for the ISPs).
Many ISPs have already implemented that combination router, firewall, switch and access point that you only rent (event though you purchase it). Do you really trust that the the ISPs will just give you automation for just 99 ¢ a month? Note that the big ISPs have to make money and they are not charitable organizations that I know of.
Next steps is the introduction of automation to the same ISP provided leased box.
Who did come up with that first anyways?
Geez could it have been the Securifi Almond + with a build in LCD combination router, switch, access point and automation box?
C'mon guys do not stop now
Unrelated but personally still call cotton on a stick a Q-Tip and I still Tivo my live TV (well and don't really watch live TV anymore). My one time paid Ooma VOIP box is still working though now having to pay a monthly tax on it. The local infrastructure here is so broke now that they want to % tax a % tax to make more monies; geez what a great idea that is?
Personally a package deal of say one automation hub and 100 proprietary or generic automation trinkets and a cellular phone account (not metered) for a low low price of $49.99 USD ($1 a month for unlimited unmetered cellular phone internet access) with free optional cloud connectivity for 5 years would nice.
Well and it would be a great intro for that newbie automation person not wanting to spend much money and get submersed in that automation thing.
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Sorry Pete, but I have no idea what point you are trying to make, and what product or service you are referring to. It seems like a long winded rant against...something...but I'm not too sure. Regardless, you certainly haven't convinced me to stick with the Almond+ as anything but a wireless router.
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RPR69, I got lost about 1/2 way through Pete's speech too. I do agree that buying Schlage locks from AT&T for " only" $149ea + $99 installation then paying them $9.99 per lock a month ( with a minimum 2 year commitment) to be able to control them with my phone/tablet is definitely a win win for them and a complete waste of money for the consumer.
I already emptied the trash, but I think this morning's offer was $199 down/ $69 month for 1 PIR, 1 lock, 1 camera , siren and hub.
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Yup; I apologize it was just a me being a curmudgeon (old man rant) and was kind of going in to what will be happening relating to automation for the masses and how it already has begin..
Well and to point that the Almond + is a one of a kind unique edge router with a patented touch screen interface.
An yup it doesn't really mean much other than that.
.... but I have no idea what point you are trying to make, and what product or service you are referring to.
I was writing mostly about ISPs here in general and the trending that I see relating to bringing automation / security to the home via an ISP.
That said this relating to the US as I have no clues about ISPs outside of the US.
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Didn't want to say anything, but I didn't get your rant either :D
I work at a 'big' Belgian ISP (it being Belgian kinda means it can't be that big :P ).
They are starting with home protection and automation here too. You can get cameras and motion sensors for now, they're still scanning the market for other things.
Everything is of course offered at a monthly fee.
If you add up all the different subscriptions you can already get now (isp / third party, locks, cameras, thermostats, ...) you'll be paying hundreds of $$, it's getting completely ridiculous!
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I pretty much feel the same way. I have spent countless hours on the phone but at the end of a day, 1 year into it this router Wifi is Weak as bunny. I just recently got the new speed bump from ISP to 200 Mbps, but the most of my wireless device is still suffering and I'm tired of tweeaking and upgrading. Almost about to call it a day and buying a new Asus Router. By the time this product release it was at best an AC1300 router. Hardware is out of date and software / automation support is lacking.
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I pretty much feel the same way. I have spent countless hours on the phone but at the end of a day, 1 year into it this router Wifi is Weak as bunny. I just recently got the new speed bump from ISP to 200 Mbps, but the most of my wireless device is still suffering and I'm tired of tweeaking and upgrading. Almost about to call it a day and buying a new Asus Router. By the time this product release it was at best an AC1300 router. Hardware is out of date and software / automation support is lacking.
wifi weak as a bunny?
I haven't even tweaked any of the WiFi stuff, just ran a test for grins...I'm throttled at 12 Up, pulled a 163 Down (Comcast)
(http://www.speedtest.net/result/4600044982.png) (http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4600044982)
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I only wish I could get speeds like that. Time Warner only offers a max of 50Mbps where I live (at $75/month for new customers). There is a fiber company locally (Greenlight) but it is unlikely they will get to my neighborhood... Ever... For those lucky enough that $75 would get you 500Mbps and they offer 1Gbps for $100. Then I might finally think it possible to saturate the router with downloads and internal transfers at the same time. Until then (ie likely never) the Almond+ capacity is way above my options.
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Well, It looks like the Samsung SmartThings Hub V2 is right around the corner and now up on Amazon for preorder. There is no possible way the Almond+ can compete as a home automation hub with its current software, lack of roadmap, and slow updates.
I appreciate and respect the effort Securifi put into this project, but, in a business perspective, it may be time for them to find a buyer and move on. The Almond+ was a great idea, and they still have the numerous outstanding product reviews on Amazon from all the buyers who like their "neat wireless router with the screen" Securifi should use those Amazon reviews as a selling/acquisition point before they finally catch up with the technical truth of the product.
Even though I am disappointed with the full-price purchase I made with the Almond+, I'm happy that I got to be a part of it and the future of home automation.
http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/update-smartthings-hub-v2-hardware/ (http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/update-smartthings-hub-v2-hardware/)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010NZV0GE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1VH88HM7NN8MD&coliid=I358YGZWPFGI4C (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010NZV0GE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1VH88HM7NN8MD&coliid=I358YGZWPFGI4C)
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It's been over a month since the promise of a new release with "surprises" and improvements. As of now the surprise would be actually getting an update. I will wait this out until this promised release but if it does not "wow" me and work correctly then it is off to Smartthings v2.
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There is a new release ;)
But it's in beta and you need to 'sign up' as a beta tester.
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There is a new release ;)
But it's in beta and you need to 'sign up' as a beta tester.
Are you a beta tester? If so, what's your take on the new release?
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There has been a lot of progress. But there is also still a lot of work!
If you'd like to test, just apply to be a beta tester yourself. :)
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There has been a lot of progress. But there is also still a lot of work!
If you'd like to test, just apply to be a beta tester yourself. :)
Hmmm....I signed up to be a beta tester and signed the NDA over a week ago and I havent heard antyhing about a new firmware
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I think there's a problem with their sign-up procedure. I had been waiting for weeks also before I discovered there was a beta available...
You have to fill in a form here: https://docs.google.com/a/securifi.com/forms/d/1b5A0Y2QoePUw0MbaIP0N6G5qfdiZ3pkHJuIbO_aoxiw/viewform?c=0&w=1
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Okay Done....
Thanks for the info. Now what happens?
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I got a PM from Ashok to confirm I was added to the beta-group :)
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The Beta thread say to either reply to the thread or send Ashok an email. I went the email route back in July and never got a reply. So I just assumed I did not meet the criteria since I have 0 interest in having to root around writing code like so many others in here enjoy doing. I'm too old to play around like that, I just want it to work.
As far our earlier conversation regarding the ST2 hub. According to Amazon it will be Echo compatible when released.
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There's no writing code or anything involved.
You just upgrade your A+ to a new beta firmware, and see if it works with your setup. If it doesn't, you complain about it here ;D
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@ All,
May be I could provide more details about the Beta Group. There are few users who only signed NDA and few filled only the form, with their respective details and the users who did both would have the access to basic details could have the access the Beta Group.
In that Beta Group, users would have access to download the Beta firmware and also Beta apps. All we need to do is, download the firmware and upload it via Web UI and test it.
Now, for the users who did not fill the form yet can send a pm to me.
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I did all.
Posted in the thread.
PMed Ashok
Filled and signed the form and sent to ashok.
Still waiting.......
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@ medatom,
You are already there in the Beta group, could you please check if you are able to access the board name "Beta Test Forum".
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My appologies. I didn't know that the beta forum was already active.
Many thanks
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I for one am getting ZigBee items only because they will be supported by Google's OnHub. As soon as they roll out even the most basic home automation to its software I'll be ready to write this thing off.
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I just thought I would bump my post back up since it was taken over by the whole "Beta Tester" thing.
Well Securifi...Anything new? Where is this big release you promised? Is the Almond+ being sold off to a bigger company who can fulfill the original vision of the device??
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Officially disconnected and thrown in the closet. Biggest waste of $250 in the history of wasting money.
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So what did you replace it with? I am pretty set to get ST V2, but what for a router/hub/wifi access point?
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So what did you replace it with? I am pretty set to get ST V2, but what for a router/hub/wifi access point?
So far V2 is doing everything I want/need and more. I will admit it has a strong learning curve with individual "apps" and no actual rules engine. Having Harmony ,Echo , TCP connect, HoneyWell Comfort, IFTT, etc etc integration more than makes up for the inconvenience . When I ordered the V2, it comes with a 30 day no question return policy , so that gave Securifi that long to push out the long promised "you will love it " update. Well another 30 days has passed with still no update.
I am also still hung up on trying to figure out what to do as far as a modem . My Almond ( original) works fine as AP/Extender/clock, so I just assume A+ will have the same role. I just hate that I wasted almost $200 on what ended up being a $10 4port network switch with an LED clock that doesn't even have an alarm.
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So far V2 is doing everything I want/need and more. I will admit it has a strong learning curve with individual "apps" and no actual rules engine. Having Harmony ,Echo , TCP connect, HoneyWell Comfort, IFTT, etc etc integration more than makes up for the inconvenience . When I ordered the V2, it comes with a 30 day no question return policy , so that gave Securifi that long to push out the long promised "you will love it " update. Well another 30 days has passed with still no update.
HARMONY integration? As in "Alexa, turn on ESPN"??? :runs to Amazon:
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HARMONY integration? As in "Alexa, turn on ESPN"??? :runs to Amazon:
Yes, and Harmony just released their long overdue Z-wave/Zigbee hub, which piggybacks on the IR/RF/BT/Wifi hub, but I haven't been able to figure out if that's actually better than connecting the Harmony to a SmartThings or one of the many other hubs they work with (it's the same $99 as a STv2). It seems that Harmony's "activities" aren't as flexible as Almond+'s Rules, so SmartThings apps may be the best choice.
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HARMONY integration? As in "Alexa, turn on ESPN"??? :runs to Amazon:
Exactly like that, and you don't need the new Harmony. Just any Harmony with a hub, I picked one up for < $90 on fleabay. So ST V2 and Harmony combined are still less than A+. ST V2 has C2C integration with both Harmony and Echo. So yes I can literally say Alexa Turn on Netflix, turn on movie, turn on Channel 5 etc etc TV comes on switches to the proper input, surround sound comes on if needed . I only set up a few commands, for the 4 major OTA networks, Netflix, Prime, Vudu, since I just have OTA antenna, but yes there are some with 30-40 rules ( virtual switches ) for all their favorite cable channels
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Are there any new developments?
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It has been 90 days since the solicitations started for beta testers. Are there any updates or outcomes from the testing?
Securifi, would you please post some sort of timeline? Also, just so you know, the word "soon" is not a timeline or an update schedule--"soon" is also not a good business practice when dealing with customers, it is a brush off and a cop out.
Please post some sort of statement about your business and this product. We as customers deserve at least that from you.
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ya can't update chipset. I did a side by side last night with another router (that I needed to buy because the A+ range sux), and was impressed by the over 16% increase in speed. My cameras have never looked better. Securifi, time has passed y'all by.
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I like to 2nd that. It's extremely frustrating that there is zero perspective after so many months. THERE HAS TO BE A ROADMAP!
It has been 90 days since the solicitations started for beta testers. Are there any updates or outcomes from the testing?
Securifi, would you please post some sort of timeline? Also, just so you know, the word "soon" is not a timeline or an update schedule--"soon" is also not a good business practice when dealing with customers, it is a brush off and a cop out.
Please post some sort of statement about your business and this product. We as customers deserve at least that from you.
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@obmd1 "16% increase in speed" big f'ing deal. Glad you have money to burn for 16%. If I don't get 200% I am not wasting my money on a new router. Mine is stable enough and hackable enough for me.
To be sure we are missing many home automation features. So I am very much looking for the beta to go live ASAP.
Not sure I would Kickstarter securifi again, but now that I have the Almond+ it is doing enough for me.
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Range improved too. And strangely my connectivity is more reliable for my Connex thermostats and even LAN connections. Jus sayin. They can't all be winners.
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I've read some comments in this thread and around the forum and it still seems like the home automation is still not up to snuff (I.e. home remote control rather than any automation logic), could someone confirm this? I haven't used it for 4 months due to the bad general state and lack of response and updates from securifi, it all went away with Lars it seems, does he still work there? Did the corporate sales team get greedy and cut all the development work or reallocated them to work on the almond 2015?
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I've been content so far. But now I want to start with some HA stuff. I'm starting with the new Nanoleaf Smarter led kit.
So, not having read up on the state of Almond+ HA, and, if I may ask in this thread - those Nanoleaf bulbs work with Zigbee. Would they
work instantly with the current Almond+ firmware? Or could I be waiting months for support? There's a decicated hub in the Nanoleaf Smarter kit,
but I'd want to centralize all HA to one hub.
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So, not having read up on the state of Almond+ HA, and, if I may ask in this thread - those Nanoleaf bulbs work with Zigbee. Would they
work instantly with the current Almond+ firmware? Or could I be waiting months for support? There's a decicated hub in the Nanoleaf Smarter kit,
but I'd want to centralize all HA to one hub.
They should work if they're Zigbee HA 1.2. I looked around a bit but didn't find any Zigbee specs for any of the Nanoleaf bulbs.
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Thanks for the answer! Only the bulbs that come with their Smarter kit are Zigbee. And they're HA1.2 I see now in the specs : http://www.nanoleaf.me/smarter
The Smarter kit are currently on sale at Indiegogo https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/nanoleaf-smarter-kit-voice-controlled-lighting/x/4042493#/story
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The Nanoleaf bulbs should work, as they considered using the Almond 2015 as their main gateway at one point and they added full support for it. The Almond 2015 shares the same ZigBee stack as the Almond+, so there shouldn't be any issues, unless Nanoleaf made some huge changes towards the end, but I wouldn't imagine that's the case.
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I don't think they can be used with Siri if they are paired with Almond. Is that correct ?
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Ok TheLostSwede, thanks. The Nanoleaf Ivy is the first smart led bulb that I find interesting.
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Wow, I have the most viewed topic Securifi has ever had and not a peep out f them. I've long moved past used the router as it is now an expensive dust collector in my closet and a reminder of my worst investment to date.
I see that nothing has changed, no updates, no roadmap, and no answers from Securifi. Securifi doesn't value its customers enough to even have the common decency to publish some kind of statement and this is why the company will, eventually, be bankrupt . Right now they have a slew of over inflated reviews on Amazon to continue sales.
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Well, apparently the new firmware is almost ready for release, from what I've heard. I don't know when it'll be, but let's hope it's what we've been waiting for...
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Well, apparently the new firmware is almost ready for release, from what I've heard. I don't know when it'll be, but let's hope it's what we've been waiting for...
That's just it Swede, it has been " almost ready" for over 3 months. I can't be the only one that has to wonder if everything went to ____ because you left, or if you left because you saw the writing on the wall.
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That's just it Swede, it has been " almost ready" for over 3 months. I can't be the only one that has to wonder if everything went to ____ because you left, or if you left because you saw the writing on the wall.
I didn't leave because I saw the writing on the wall as you put it, I left for personal reasons that have nothing to do with Securifi or its products.
That said, some past firmwares were rushed out and caused as many problems as they fixed, so it seems like they've decided to do things differently, which sadly seems to have disappointed a lot of you guys due to there being no updates for a very long time. I'm hoping this firmware will fix some issues I'm having as well, so fingers crossed this is what we've all been waiting for and that it'll be out this week....
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So I just bought this product on Amazon, and I am a bit worried reading the comments in this forum. I am basically wanting a powerful AC router with long range, and the touch screen seems like a nice feature. I am concerned, however, that the added expense here ($194 for a router is quite a bit) is going to be wasted, as most of you are saying that its function as a "smart hub" are not really production-ready. I suppose I will give it a try, and if I don't like it after a week, I will return it. I appreciate all of you commenting here and caring enough to inform prospective buyers.
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I'm a backer, but I only recently started playing with the HA features. Over the weekend I took everything off my Micasa Verde Lite and added them all to the Almond+. I think it's a very promising system. The interface is nice. The rule capabilities are a little thin, but I'm hoping they expand that some, and open up an API to allow things like IFTTT, Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, etc. I'm in no rush -- IoT as a whole still has some maturing to do.
As a home automation hub: 6/10 (with potential and hope!)
As a wireless access point: 9/10
I have not used it as a router/firewall, so I can't comment there, but the system it's based on, OpenWRT, has a good rep.
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So I ended up writing it off and ordered a smartthings v2 yesterday. I have been having some wireless issues ever since I had 4 different hard-wired Ethernet devices plugged into the router so even that is having issues now.
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So I just bought this product on Amazon, and I am a bit worried reading the comments in this forum. I am basically wanting a powerful AC router with long range, and the touch screen seems like a nice feature. I am concerned, however, that the added expense here ($194 for a router is quite a bit) is going to be wasted, as most of you are saying that its function as a "smart hub" are not really production-ready. I suppose I will give it a try, and if I don't like it after a week, I will return it. I appreciate all of you commenting here and caring enough to inform prospective buyers.
To be honest, it is not as bad as some people here like to say. I am on the beta firmware which is promising, but will not be everything that everyone's looking for but is extremely stable and I have not had any real problems with it.
I have about 8 devices connected via ethernet and switches, 17-20 Wifi Devices (including laptops phone TV sticks etc), 8 Z-wave devices, 6 Zigbee devices in a fairly large house.
I am at a point where I am able to most of what I need to do. The time part of the rules work well. Occasionally, I would need to edit the cron jobs manually (for a rule to run every 10 mins for instance).
I don't know when Securifi plans to release the final firmware, but I would suggest sticking with it.
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So I ended up writing it off and ordered a smartthings v2 yesterday. I have been having some wireless issues ever since I had 4 different hard-wired Ethernet devices plugged into the router so even that is having issues now.
Good luck, my experience being part of a Samsung test program is that the SmartThings V2 is a piece of junk. It doesn't even find my WeMo switch, which it's supposed to work with. You have to use their very confusing web UI to add support for certain types of devices (like the WeMo) and at least in the UK, the device support is next to zero outside of the latest generation of sensors and devices from SmartThings/Samsung. In fact, I think I have an option to add about 20 devices, that's it and that includes the Hue hub. I also find managing things and creating rules via an app super unproductive and fiddly, especially as their logic is anything by logical. I'm honestly surprised at how they've become one of the major players. I hope you have a better experience than me, but so far I haven't found a single home automation platform that lives up to being easy to use with a good UI/app, offer support for a wide range of devices/sensors and that doesn't rely on a cloud service for all of its features.
Was playing around with a Zipato Zipamini today and it's been mind numbing to figure out some things. The UI is far from logical and when you find your devices located under a magnifying glass icon, the UI needs some serious work. Their logic for creating rules isn't bad, as it's a lot like Scratch from MIT, but you're doing all this in the "cloud" and then you have to sync the data with the gateway which takes a few minutes, even on a fast internet connection. It's also very time consuming to do, due to the poorly designed UI. On the upside it seems like at least their app does things locally when it's on the same network as the gateway, but it's just as limited as the Almond app, if not more so.
Wink has just been terrible in my experience and I don't get their app at all. The new Vera is zero improvement on the old hardware or software and although it has a lot of advanced features, what good are they when you can't figure out how to use most of them? I've also played with the Fibaro Home Center Lite and their firmwares are about as stable as not at all. A lot of the time it's not even possible to pair sensors and you have to reboot the gateway to add another sensors.
Just some things to keep in mind, as it seems like there's no such thing as a great solution out there today, at least not one I've used so far.
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... You have to use their very confusing web UI to add support for certain types of devices (like the WeMo) ...
The thing is, it may not be elegant, but it exists, and it works. You can use that web UI, to add support for anything. Maybe the device selection is poor in UK, but there are tons of people in the SmartThings community developing support for their devices. If someone else hasn't done it, you can do it yourself, and the community is vibrant and eager to help. If the native support for a given product isn't quite right, you can change it yourself, and someone in the community probably already has. They got the Securifi key fob to work in about a week, with zero documentation. SmartThings' own rules engine is limited, but a community member wrote a better one and it's available for everyone to use. It works with Harmony and Amazon's Echo out of the box.
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If someone else hasn't done it, you can do it yourself
No, I can't, I'm not a programmer and to be frank, I don't understand how most of the stuff in their web UI is supposed to work. I can't even get their so called WeMo Smart App to work, so imho it's quite dumb. For a company with the kind of funding they have, this is embarrassing imho.
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I think the wemo smart app, working flawlessly for me since I jumped to smart things two months ago, was disabled by Belkin. The switch I have on that platform has been "offline" for a week. No matter, since their switch was a clunky mess anyway. More Ebay-ware. While the disappointment you may have with ST is reasonable, to put that reaction in the same universe as the complete dumpster fire that securifi is isn't really accurate. There is a community of helpful people, helpful responsive and knowledgeable people, and promise of future growth, both organic and company lead. Securifi has Ashook, poor soul. I've built out three times aas many sensors and switches in a 5th the time with ST as I could ever with A+, and my replacement router is faster and more reliable. Amazon should drop this like a moldy potato.
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...There is a community of helpful people, helpful responsive and knowledgeable people, and promise of future growth, both organic and company lead. Securifi has Ashook, poor soul. I've built out three times aas many sensors and switches in a 5th the time with ST as I could ever with A+, and my replacement router is faster and more reliable. Amazon should drop this like a moldy potato.
Exactly this -- if you really can't code, but want something created, you could post the problem to ST's forums and someone would probably help you out, because someone else probably has the same needs. The point is, it's open and documented, you don't need to pay for a dev kit, or sign an NDA, or anything. Just buy the hub, and you're good to go. Yes, it's designed by programmers and they assume you get their mind-set, but that's just a learning curve, not a brick wall of closed systems and absent owners.
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Exactly this -- if you really can't code, but want something created, you could post the problem to ST's forums and someone would probably help you out, because someone else probably has the same needs. The point is, it's open and documented, you don't need to pay for a dev kit, or sign an NDA, or anything. Just buy the hub, and you're good to go. Yes, it's designed by programmers and they assume you get their mind-set, but that's just a learning curve, not a brick wall of closed systems and absent owners.
It is a brick wall if I don't want to learn how to program for their system and technically I shouldn't have to go and ask someone on a forum how to get something to work with my HA gateway.
The list of devices supported on the US version of the SmartThings platform isn't bad, in the UK on the other hand, it's about a dozen devices that are officially supported and for some reason it seems like simple Z-Wave devices like door/window sensors won't work properly once paired, as the system don't recognize them for what they are. The same type of sensors works perfectly fine with the US version from my past experience. How good of a platform is that? Why the difference between the two countries? This is just frustrating.
Yes, Securifi has a lot of promises to live up to and I really wish they could make everything work, as the logic for creating rules etc. isn't bad, it's just not finished and I fully understand how annoying it is when you've spent money on something, especially so long ago and it's still not working over a year after you received the product.
That said, anyone having Wi-Fi issues ought to have contacted support by now and have had their replaced, as that's not really a software related problem.
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It's funny, but all that you want is there... I wonder if the iOS app is just ahead of the android version? I'm currently running rules such as "on at sunset off at 11:30" "on for motion, off for no motion plus 5 minute if between 5:15 am and sunrise plus 15 minutes" "siren if flood" among others that work with Sonos, myQ, harmony, and soon my echo. The only one that wasn't native was the myQ and harmony, and that was available to me to cut and paste. I'm no programmer. I'll soon have "shut valve if flood" and "water zone 3 if soil moisture less than 70%, no rain predicted for the next 24 hours, etc".
Anyone who wants my almond can have it for the Kickstarter pledge I made.
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It's funny, but all that you want is there... I wonder if the iOS app is just ahead of the android version? I'm currently running rules such as "on at sunset off at 11:30" "on for motion, off for no motion plus 5 minute if between 5:15 am and sunrise plus 15 minutes" "siren if flood" among others that work with Sonos, myQ, harmony, and soon my echo. The only one that wasn't native was the myQ and harmony, and that was available to me to cut and paste. I'm no programmer. I'll soon have "shut valve if flood" and "water zone 3 if soil moisture less than 70%, no rain predicted for the next 24 hours, etc".
Anyone who wants my almond can have it for the Kickstarter pledge I made.
You're right everything is there and works in ST V2 . The swede is right that there is no 1 central "official rules engine ".
That is semantics though. You don't have rules you have apps. I really don't see the difference myself in whether you want to call it a rule, a recipe, a robot or an app. Each platform has it's own preference for what it wants actions to be called.
I have not slung code in over 30 years, Okay I did play around with some Linux systems 10 years ago, but nothing serious. I don't think having to copy/paste code in IDE to add a new device ( type) to my system for the first time or a new app/rule as having to hack the system. The one thing that is missing is a centralized organized list of all the device types and "apps" . It is easy to get overwhelmed ,lost and discouraged .
The one thing I did get discouraged and give up on ( for now ) is getting my HEM to report to Plotwatt so I can get an actual graph of power usage. I can't wrap my old brain around having to creating 3 different virtual devices on 3 different websites and needing an Apple computer to create a custom curl code in order to get my 1 meter to report usage to one service. When I asked a question to clarify exactly what I had to do, the reply was something about me being an idiot for not owning an Apple and not knowing what a curl command is, and why after I had the first device I had to take that device code and go to another site and use that info to make another one, then put that info into Plotwatt site . Like I said I haven't coded in over 30 years
The one consistent breakdown in my system this week has been Echo, having to repeat commands 2-3 times and/or having "her" respond that "turn on __________" is not a valid command for that device. I am assuming that the price drop back to $95- $149 for the past few weeks and adding HA control to FireTv was too successful and Amazon needs to add more servers to handle the increase in traffic.
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Gotta admit, the ST worlds has lots of folks working it but I find the A+ much easier to implement when it comes to mildly complex tasks. The power plotting you mention is an example. I poll it and dump the data, push it over to the Pi and from there do whatever I want with it.
The Echo has many shortcomings, especially when you choose to go standalone but my A+ is driven by a Pi based system that can utilize 6 different voice recognition systems AND operate reasonably well in standalone mode. Again, with very little coding.
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It is a brick wall if I don't want to learn how to program for their system and technically I shouldn't have to go and ask someone on a forum how to get something to work with my HA gateway.
That's a distinction of something that _could_be_ done and something that _can't_be_ done. In the ideal world, everything should be supported and work perfectly. Failing that, you're comparing a platform that allows users to do it themselves (if they're willing and able) versus a platform that doesn't, and hasn't released an update in over six months (nevermind that the hardware is already obsolete since it doesn't support z-wave+).
Can't speak for you obviously, but I know which I prefer.
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I shouldn't have to be a programmer to use any HA gateway, this isn't unique to SmartThings unfortunately, as Fibaro has similar requirements if you want to use their "extended" features, although it only works with their high-end gateway.
As for Z-Wave+, it's not as if the first generation of SmartThings gateways support it either, so this is kind of an unfair comparison.
What I'd like is a gateway that 1. follows the standards 2. has a system that allows you to create rules, scenes, events, triggers, etc. without having to write code.
I'm not expecting the impossible and I'm not expecting everything at day one from a new company, but I think the two of has very different definitions of what "works perfectly" means.
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I never claimed or implied that ST works "perfectly" . The simple fact that most controls are cloud based is a big deficiency on the part of ST compared to A+. Supposedly more control is going to be moved and handled locally, but we all know how far a promise takes you when it comes to features "coming soon ".
The 2 things I miss most moving all HA off A+ and onto ST is the local control and LAN access IF the cloud or internet go down. However the number of supported devices and integration with other platforms ( Hue, Echo, Harmony, TCP connect, Honeywell ) . Having to add a Raz Pi as @SecureComp suggests in my world just adds another possible ( likely ) failure point, and again requires custom coding to work.
I am convinced (unless somebody can actually prove otherwise) that most if not all my issues with A+ were caused by me overloading it . In the ( wow) almost 3 months since I removed all HA off of A+ the router has been 99.5% stable and only needed to be rebooted maybe 4 times. ( I just checked at uptime on A+ is 19 days, 7 hours 10 minutes. If I remember correctly that reboot was just the result of moving plugs on Powerstrip and had nothing to do with A+ performance. ). No more dropping of WAN ,WiFi or LAN clients at all and even my network HDD is actually working again. It is not freezing up and not responding when I attempt to open a large file, not just disappearing from file explorer, things it always did since I got A+. I always blamed it on WD not on my network router. I was actually able to move the HDD back down into the basement where it belongs instead having it sit on my desk where I could powercycle it so it would reconnect every time I wanted to access a file on it.
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I never claimed or implied that ST works "perfectly" . The simple fact that most controls are cloud based is a big deficiency on the part of ST compared to A+. Supposedly more control is going to be moved and handled locally, but we all know how far a promise takes you when it comes to features "coming soon ".
The 2 things I miss most moving all HA off A+ and onto ST is the local control and LAN access IF the cloud or internet go down. However the number of supported devices and integration with other platforms ( Hue, Echo, Harmony, TCP connect, Honeywell ) . Having to add a Raz Pi as @SecureComp suggests in my world just adds another possible ( likely ) failure point, and again requires custom coding to work.
I am convinced (unless somebody can actually prove otherwise) that most if not all my issues with A+ were caused by me overloading it . In the ( wow) almost 3 months since I removed all HA off of A+ the router has been 99.5% stable and only needed to be rebooted maybe 4 times. ( I just checked at uptime on A+ is 19 days, 7 hours 10 minutes. If I remember correctly that reboot was just the result of moving plugs on Powerstrip and had nothing to do with A+ performance. ). No more dropping of WAN ,WiFi or LAN clients at all and even my network HDD is actually working again. It is not freezing up and not responding when I attempt to open a large file, not just disappearing from file explorer, things it always did since I got A+. I always blamed it on WD not on my network router. I was actually able to move the HDD back down into the basement where it belongs instead having it sit on my desk where I could powercycle it so it would reconnect every time I wanted to access a file on it.
Wow, I think I've only had to power cycle once since owning the A+, all others have been softboots. Now you have me curious about loads, I think I will hit my A+ with several hardwire connections and pump so more video through it. Already streaming vid to 6 devices and no hiccups at all. Maybe I'll throw some load testing software at it. The hardware is what it is but I really don't expect to crush it that easily. I wonder if early backers were whacked with some different hardware revs or something.
As for a Raspberry Pi and stability. They run like bricks, so long as you aren't overclocking/overheating, they are plenty robust. Not to mention any linux box would do, doesn't have to be a Pi, they're just cheap and easy but so is any old PC or laptop. I do hear you about the coding and that's part of the DIY thing, out of the box, no one is bringing what is needed to the table just yet. I'm actually looking to start working with a well known US University of a few things and am hopeful. Can't believe we are so off the mark in 2015 but maybe some brute forcing will push that forward. Even the Japanese haven't impressed me yet. Some cool stuff for sure, but the user interface or MMI for the old timers is still weak as can be. I've actually productized my efforts and am almost ready to make an product offering that doesn't compete with Securifi but would absolutely work with it and many other things. I really wanted to bundle it with the Almond products just because of the touchscreen interface the good will built up on Amazon but it seems that most of that has been squandered at this point. That and the 3/5yr NDA just to help them Beta, which is outrageous to my mind, disheartening to say the least. Even so, I'll offer a few more apps, some online support, hang tough until the release software comes out, though I have put a personal deadline on that, and remain optimistic, at least a little longer. Especially since Smart Things, Verde and a bunch of others are more than a little underwhelming. Community support is awesome but it also means the product itself should offer so much more out of the box.
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Based on Amazon's sale and Costco's sale, I am fairly certain Securifi is getting rid of Almond+ in preparation for something new. Also, the beta update to me seems like something in preparation for new hardware rather than supporting existing users.
While, I am happy with my Almond I think Securifi has done a very very poor job of treating their customers. Very slow updates, very incremental changes. The worst part is the NDA. I still don't understand why we had to sign the NDA when every single feature of the new beta firmware was already published here by Ashok.
Here's the worst part. Even though I am a satisfied customer (very very rare here in the forums), I am certainly going to think very long and hard before I purchase any Securifi products. To me that's the worst part. Securifi has actually managed to lose a satisfied customer by their lack of communication or road map or engagement.
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Based on Amazon's sale and Costco's sale, I am fairly certain Securifi is getting rid of Almond+ in preparation for something new. Also, the beta update to me seems like something in preparation for new hardware rather than supporting existing users.
Likely so, after all the A15 came out, wouldn't surprise me a bit if the next Almond has some home automation capability. You roll the dice with crowd/community funding efforts, it's a risk and any that think otherwise haven't played the game long enough.
While, I am happy with my Almond I think Securifi has done a very very poor job of treating their customers. Very slow updates, very incremental changes. The worst part is the NDA. I still don't understand why we had to sign the NDA when every single feature of the new beta firmware was already published here by Ashok.
Quite so.
Here's the worst part. Even though I am a satisfied customer (very very rare here in the forums), I am certainly going to think very long and hard before I purchase any Securifi products. To me that's the worst part. Securifi has actually managed to lose a satisfied customer by their lack of communication or road map or engagement.
That is in fact, very disturbing, very true, short sighted and indicative of a style of management with which, sadly, I am all too familiar. Clearly something "happened" between CES, the establishing of the forum and some personal changes and none of it for the better.
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You roll the dice with crowd/community funding efforts, it's a risk and any that think otherwise haven't played the game long enough.
... except A+ has been out of the crowdfunding phase and sold at regular retail for a year now. Once they started taking orders through Amazon, I really don't think it was reasonable to expect the same kind of risk tolerance from customers as for a kickstarter.
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... except A+ has been out of the crowdfunding phase and sold at regular retail for a year now. Once they started taking orders through Amazon, I really don't think it was reasonable to expect the same kind of risk tolerance from customers as for a kickstarter.
Totally agree.
Rules should have been out of beta before going retail.
I can't speak to the glitchy 5gig issues, haven't been impacted by them but that should have been run to ground quickly after going to retail as well.
Securifi will live or die by it's management decisions. I've got shelves full of obsolete hardware, some of it never really delivering on promised performance. This isn't the first, nor the last I'm sure. But again, my routing, WiFi and essential Home Automation works like a champ and I've been able to get it to play nicely with a voice response system. Just want the API and Rules with Scenes out of Beta and working.
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Wow, I think I've only had to power cycle once since owning the A+, all others have been softboots. Now you have me curious about loads, I think I will hit my A+ with several hardwire connections and pump so more video through it. Already streaming vid to 6 devices and no hiccups at all. Maybe I'll throw some load testing software at it. The hardware is what it is but I really don't expect to crush it that easily. I wonder if early backers were whacked with some different hardware revs or something.
I have never claimed to have a light system, but I really do not think it is that out of ordinary in 2015. The 4 LAN ports on A+ were 1 to desktop ,1 to TCP connect hub, 1 to WD Mybook live HDD, last went to a WD 8port switch in the basement. On that switch in the basement there are 3 Actiontec Moca adapters, cat6 line to another WD 8port switch in main entertainment center, cat6 line to 4 port switch in daughter's entertainment center and my 16 channel CCTV DVR, IP camera NVR . 8 port switch in my entertainment center has TV, Tivo, Blue-ray player, FireTV, IP camera, ( and now ST hub ) . 4 port in Daughter's entertainment center has Tivo, Blu-ray player, IP camera. There is another 4 port switch at the other end of 2 of the MOCA lines . 1 in daughter's daughter's bedroom with her TV and Tivo attached. One in our bedroom with Tivo, Roku, Blue-ray player . The third Moca line goes to the daughter's office with an original Almond as a wireless AP and her desktop computer plugged into it.
I have now moved the TCP connect hub to LAN port on original Almond in the daughter's office since all the TCP bulbs are in her side of the house and the WD Mybooklive to the 8port switch in the basement. Replaced the TCP hub on my desk with a Hue Hub plugged into A+, network printer in the last port.
So add them up and I have over 2 dozen devices on hardwire LAN , not that they are ever all being used at the same time. I am not even going to try and count all of the wireless devices from phones, tablets, thermostats IP cameras, but A+ is showing 33 wireless clients right now. I have 3 tablets set up as permanent monitors streaming the CCTV 24/7 , 3 Amazon Echoes streaming music , etc etc.
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Shouldn't be an issue, in the office at Securifi (at least when I worked there), there was a 24-port Gigabit switch that was fully populated and another switch hanging off of that, a NAS, a bunch of computers, a security system, various home automation gateways, about 40-50 wireless devices, and a bunch of other things, plus sensors and it didn't miss a beat.
Honestly, it sounds like you got a dud and there were a few of those, but not that many. If you'd contacted the support team, they would've swapped yours out for you and maybe they still will. Yes, the software had some stability issues too, but clearly if the hardware was as bad as you're saying, I think everyone on Kickstarter would've asked for a refund and I would personally not be using mine today.
Keep in mind that the SoC has a dedicated Wi-Fi offload processor so under normal Wi-Fi use, if you log in via SSH to the router and run the top command, you're only going to see 5-10% CPU usage. In your instance, it shouldn't be using more than maybe 50% with a bunch of things going on. The hardware is actually not bad, but sadly the software support from Cortina was less than stellar and Securifi got screwed over by them, as what they "sold" wasn't what was delivered.
I still have some software issues and I'm as eagerly waiting for a new firmware as everyone else here, so fingers crossed for this next release...
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I have talked with support multiple times Ashok called me at least once or twice because you told him to call me after I posted an issue in the forum and once after I sent in logs that raised a few eyebrows I guess .
Like I said earlier ( in this thread or another) , since I removed all HA off of A+ it has been reliable and stable as just a router with a nice clock.
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I have talked with support multiple times Ashok called me at least once or twice because you told him to call me after I posted an issue in the forum and once after I sent in logs that raised a few eyebrows I guess .
Like I said earlier ( in this thread or another) , since I removed all HA off of A+ it has been reliable and stable as just a router with a nice clock.
Guess I missed that part before. You are using it as a router and you think only the HA stuff was giving you grief ?
I'll wager there is something else afoot. Not that it matters at this point. I have stayed away from the TCP Connect hub, have several other types working without issue and plenty of lights and sensors. If it really is the HA side of things, should be pretty easy to monitor the ZWave/Zigbee processing and see if something was looping and choking the system. A fun puzzle for sure but given that you moved on, no point in trying to noodle it out now. It is unfortunate, sounds like a nice setup and a consistent problem is a solvable problem, it's the intermittent ones that are a challenge.
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Guess I missed that part before. You are using it as a router and you think only the HA stuff was giving you grief ?
I'll wager there is something else afoot. Not that it matters at this point. I have stayed away from the TCP Connect hub, have several other types working without issue and plenty of lights and sensors. .
I only have about half dozen TCP connect bulbs, they were one of the first steps into HA and were quickly upgraded. That said I have never really had any issue with the TCP connect , they arewere just limited when it comes to integrating with other devices, no integration with A+. That is why they are all in the daughter's apartment now. My only issue with HA on A+ was the limited number of supported devices, inability to integrate with other systems. ( again had to give the daughter all the TCP connect lights and replace them with GE/Cree bulbs, Leviton switches )
I was having all the " usual " issues with WiFi and LAN cutting out, A+ losing connection to modem, ridiculously slow connection speeds, WiFi signal dropping off 20 feet from the router. After I removed all HA from A+ it has been working fine as just a router, WiFi. Wifi signal on both 2.4 and 5Ghz is strong and stable throughout the house and even in the back yard again. So IMHO the workload of the HA devices was over taxing the A+ hardware. The A+ poor WiFi performance was why I ended up re-purposing the old cable TV RG6 for Moca to get internet throughout the house with all the network switches .
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the same problem here. what a piece of bs they sell.
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the same problem here. what a piece of bs they sell.
Problem?
Which one?
You eliminated all HA stuff and now the router works well?
Sorry to hear your experience isn't as good as others. Mine is working very well. Not flawlessly, but very well. Plenty of HA stuff, Rules, Apps, WiFi. Slowly working on loading it up some more.
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I started a thread about moving the WIFI antennas to the outside of the unit and buying higher gain antennas, I wonder if there could be any interference between the antennas (zwave and zigbee are both 2.4 ghz)
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@ hashish,
Zigbee works on 2.4 GHz, but Z-wave works completely on a different frequency, which keeps changing from region to region.
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Shouldn't be an issue, in the office at Securifi (at least when I worked there), there was a 24-port Gigabit switch that was fully populated and another switch hanging off of that, a NAS, a bunch of computers, a security system, various home automation gateways, about 40-50 wireless devices, and a bunch of other things, plus sensors and it didn't miss a beat.
I think you just hit on the magic number there Mr Lars. I've been doing more upgrades and adding more toys to the house. Added 3 Echo Dots on 3/31. As of April 1 we're up to 67 active IP leases on A+. Ever since I topped 50 it has gone back to dropping WiFi signal and traffic slowing to a crawl . If streaming music on one of the Echoes or Video to a TV, every other device is for all intensive purposes offline. They might as well be on old 28.8 dial up or late 90s cellular data.
5G channel is useless, it drops off for from 5-30 second ( just long enough to reset the tablets monitoring IP cameras ) every 10-15 minutes until I reboot A+. Then it will be stable for a day or two, and then go back to cycling on/off again until I reboot it again. Let me clarify the Tablet 5' from the A+ monitoring IP cams almost never loses connection. The tablet 15' from the router monitoring IP cams constantly loses connection just long enough to drop signal from cameras. Using WiFi analyzer on tablet, I can watch the 5G signal cycle on/off . It looks like a heart rate monitor that flatlines every few minutes
It has gotten so bad that we have disabled wifi on our phones and tablets that have mobile data, because wifi in the house is so unstable. To control Harmony, Hue or TCP lights in their native apps I have to connect over 4G through the cloud. Which disables 1/2 of the functionality ,because a lot of functions require you to be on same LAN. Sometimes if device is on 5g I can connect to the hubs that are all on 2.4 or Cat6. If device is on 2.4 it will never connect, just spins until it times out.
Surprisingly I can use the ST app over LAN without any issues. Hub is on Cat6 and it doesn't matter whether control device is on 2.4g or 5g.
Network printer on static IP Cat6 has to be rebooted before it can be connected to by hardwired computers, but laptop on 2.4g finds it fine every time.
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For me the product is not much much dead but as time moves on many of it's functions are getting replaced with our devices. For example I recently install a UniFi AP-AC-Pro and the wifi performance leaves the Almond+ in it's dust. Basically mine is only now a nice switch and limited sensors.
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For me the product is not much much dead but as time moves on many of it's functions are getting replaced with our devices. For example I recently install a UniFi AP-AC-Pro and the wifi performance leaves the Almond+ in it's dust. Basically mine is only now a nice switch and limited sensors.
I've said that before, they make a nice ( if overly expensive) clock ( with a built in network switch) to sit on the desk. They just need to add an alarm or timer function.
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I've said that before, they make a nice ( if overly expensive) clock ( with a built in network switch) to sit on the desk. They just need to add an alarm or timer function.
Yep mine could end up like that in time! I have it hanging off one of the network ports in the house and have a slower network devices e.g. sonos bridge, pi & ATV3 sharing the 1 GB.
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That's what I had done with mine until a short time ago. It was feeding my Ring video doorbell exclusively. The constantly dropped connection/slow speed made this no longer feasible.
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I think these kinds of characterizations are really overstating the problems folks have had.
Understanding that folks with loaded up, 150+ sensor environments, have migrated to another automation hub is one thing, calling the Almond+ an alarm clock is another.
As an example, I'm a Kickstarter Backer and have been using my A+ since day 1 as a full time WiFi Router and Home Automation Hub. Utilizing both bands on a daily, full time basis for video streaming and data use. I work at home for the most part and it is a critical piece of infrastructure that has not failed me as WiFi Router, not once. Perhaps that day will come but it hasn't yet.
Using several dozen sensors has been enough for me to generate dozens of rules and scenes that have complimented my home automation goals nicely. Not as complex as some installations to be sure but far more than the average home at this point in time.
What I'm really looking forward to is expanding my WiFi range and meshing a second controller to increase range in my setup and that of a few family members.
Automated lighting systems that respond to my departure or arrival and respond differently when various family members arrive or depart are just some of the features I have enjoyed implementing. Security systems and the ability to monitor and control sensor remotely via my smartphone or tablet have been useful on many occasions, especially when on vacation.
Would I like integrated video monitoring, yes. Is it a show stopper? No. My phone has a couple hundred apps on it already, 1 more doesn't make a difference and isn't exactly a hardship to use.
WiFi coverage issues are easily worked with various solutions that are and have been common place for years and years. A compact form factor without an external antennae shouldn't be expected to blow the industry out of the water with super amazing coverage. I have found it no worse and in cases, better than the well known WiFi router it replaced.
And for the folks complaining about WiFi drop outs based on smartphone WiFi analyzers, those observations are nearly irrelevant. If you have device lose connectivity, I get it and that stinks but smartphone WiFi analyzers are notoriously poor tools in the world of professional heat mapping of WiFi networks.
Here's an example of a rock solid WiFi network that you average smartphone user would think has major issues.