Securifi Community Forum
Securifi Products => Almond+ => Topic started by: divpar on December 13, 2014, 10:54:22 am
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Why is it that it is taking so many weeks to come up with new updates. The rate at which the updates are coming out seems like it might be 2016 before all the features can be implemented. Simply frustrating.
I think more resources need to put in what is not working on the current model then to come up with new model to generate more sales.
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Apologies about the delays, we've just released the new beta firmware to our beta/dev backers.
The good news is that it includes the automation parts, somewhat earlier than we planned, so they can start testing that and give us feedback on it.
These things aren't as simple to do as it may look, but we should hopefully be releasing this as a beta for everyone to test shortly, we just want to make sure there are no major bugs.
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I believe I recall a post somewhere talking about getting your internal bug tracker publicized for backers (or maybe just beta testers?) access, so we can submit bugs or comment on their reproduction or fixes. There seem to be quite a few users who are handy with hacking around in the OS on the Almond+ and since it's all built on OpenWRT perhaps we as a community can assist with some of the implementation of fixes? Either way it'd be nice to see what actual bugs you have found, what severity they are, and whether we as users would be impacted by them. Any chance of this happening?
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I highly doubt we'd share our internal bug tracker and on top of that, these bugs are not related to OpenWRT, but rather to the proprietary Wi-Fi driver and the Wi-Fi offload code for the SoC. There's sadly nothing the community could help with when it comes to those parts and they're not covered under the GPL.
We might do a bug tracker for you guys at some point though, but it didn't seem to be a popular suggestion with the software team, since they feel like they'd have to manage it for it to work and that would require a dedicated person, which as of right now, we simply don't have.
It also means we'd have repeat entries for the same bug from multiple people, which we even get internally sometimes, but that would most likely be exponentially more common if we had a public bug tracker.
Please understand that we're still a small company, which might be easy to forget. I really wish we could implement this right now, but it's simply not feasible if we're going to make a good job out of it.
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Any updates on release of new firmware?
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We're working on fixing a few things, but it should be just around the corner.
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Before the new year?
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Next week is what I'm pushing for.
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Next week is what I'm pushing for.
God i hope so, got sensors that really i want to use and want to use it as my router but it's hopeless. Hope i don't get my stack box before then!
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Next week is what I'm pushing for.
How is the automation beta test going? What is the current release date of FW supporting that?
Are any new devices being added as a result of the HA inclusion and beta testing? Is the web resource of supported devices updated then?
Hoping to pick out a few before the New Year
Thanks,
-Chris
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The testing is going well, everything is pretty stable and we expect to release it in the next firmware, but it'll carry a beta tag, as it's still changing a lot.
I'm afraid I don't have a date, but as I mentioned above, I'm pushing for a release this week.
The automation itself might actually have slightly reduced support for sensors, as we have to add them one by one and make sure they work well. So far what we've tested and what works are binary switches, door/window sensors, flood sensors, PIR sensors, thermostats and locks, but the key fob should hopefully be done in time for the release alongside with some more things.
We have added support for in-wall dimmers and some new ZigBee devices and I'll get the Wiki updated once I know it's all there in the release firmware.
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Will this update be able to be done from the device, or will it be like 69 and require a manual update?
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Will this update be able to be done from the device, or will it be like 69 and require a manual update?
From what I've read 69 to 70 will be a like others, but from 70 on should be by LCD.
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You'll be able to update to the next firmware via the LCD.
It looks like it won't be this week, as our software team has a few days off for Christmas, but it should be next week if all goes well.
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When will we have Access Point functionality back?
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Next firmware
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I hope Christmas break went well for everyone.
I would really appreciate an update on the firmware. As it stands now, we have been using problematic firmware for several months now in regards to wifi drop outs and weak performance. This is causing my family no end of frustration.
If you are needing assistance with testing the firmware, please let me know.
Thanks,
KT
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Agreed. I've tried out 2 of the firmwares to this point and have had to go back to my previous Asus router due to the constant wifi issues and low bandwidth. I'm hoping that this is the #1 issue to resolve before adding support for new sensors. I just want a good ac wifi router at this point that I can rely on.
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Second that!
Almond+ still the box for over 2 months here.
Tried 2 firmwares but bad connections with apple devices and instable with laptop, so boxed it again.
Need at least a solid basic function of a wireless router which is a stable fast wireless network...
This is taking long, don't miss your window...
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ETA of the new release with Portforwarding fix?
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Also wondering about an ETA. It has been in the works and about to be released for some time now. :)
Thanks.
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We'll be releasing a public beta firmware within the next 24h which will include the new Wi-Fi drivers, home automation rules and more. It's not feature complete, but it's a big jump from R069.
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Sorry, I don't think we're going to be able to get that firmware out as expected. We'll have something shortly though.
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Please tell us its a joke. Why saying in the first place if your not 100% sure?
I'm getting a bit tired of all the apologies and excuses, too much imo.
And this last one wouldn't be necessary if you just waited (like we do for ages) ...
Oh and a happy new year ;-)
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Well, I was told one thing this morning another this evening. Trust me, I'm as frustrated as you are about this.
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Doesn't sound like a solid management.
As a backer for this idea/ product we knew we would be early adaptors and the "benefits" of it.
Imo the communication (with good intentions) is the 'thing'. After the recent history with delays, excuses and apologies the credit for these kind of things is running short.
This beta youre talking about was promised several weeks ago. And when its finally announced, a few hours later another disappointment.
Or are the expectations I have too big?
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I for one, like watching the sausage being made, at least tech sausages.
Lars is letting us know what he knows when he knows it. I love it.
My Almond+ is working as I need for now. Looking forward to the home automation update so I can geek out with my friends with SmartThings hub.
Kickstarter is not a store to buy finished product (go to Amazon for that). Kickstarter is for the geeks who like sausage.
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Or are the expectations I have too big?
No, not really. This was poor internal communications and I'm really sorry about that.
We don't want to release another flaky firmware like R067, but the beta was supposed to be a done deal from what I was told, but it turned out some things hadn't been tested thoroughly, so it was decided that it wouldn't be released yet due to that, as a lot of changes has been done compared to the version we released to the beta testers.
We have a stable internal build that we're testing now and it should be released next week.
Again, apologies for the delays, I know how frustrating it is.
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I've boxed mine (due to poor wifi, and lack of home *automation*), and went back to Netgear NightHawk. I bought a Wink hub with GE light bulbs when it was on sale for $30! Controlling light bulbs and thermostat using the Wink app. I know Wink has limited support for generic ZWave devices (like no motion sensor support) but, so far it's better than Almond+ (with current firmware)
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My Almond+ is just a wifi router at the moment. I'm guess I'm lucky in that the current wifi works well enough for my needs. I haven't bothered setting up the zigbee sensors I purchased, as they really wouldn't 'do' anything with the current firmware. Sure, I could look at the status page and see they've changed, but that's hardly 'automated' and not the point of them.
My home automation needs are taken care of by Vista Automation Module that ties into my home security system, as it's very reliably for z-wave devices and it also ties into the internet.
The wink was added as a secondary z-wave controller as it's not so reliable.
Perhaps once the Almond+ gets automation (and the ability to be a secondary z-wave controller), I'll consider setting up some of the zigbee sensors. Until then, it's a router.
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It's been month and half since last beta. I think this rate of update is a joke. As my earlier thought this is going nowhere for next couple of years as far as all around well working firmware, which can be dependable will come out. Seems like one guy is working on this firmware updates part time.
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I posted some screenshots here http://forum.securifi.com/index.php/topic,1974.msg9910.html#msg9910 of the new automation UI.
These things takes time to get right, but we're very nearly there.
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I'm pretty frustrated with the Almond+. I don't even need any of the automation - just need reliable, fast wifi. Currently the router is performing worse than our old Airport Express from around 2007. All in all it seems like the firmware releases are taking a long, long time and the product wasn't ready for primetime when it was released. You take a chance when you support something on Kickstarter but I assumed that, at the very least, the Wifi router would work for, you know, Wifi.
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:-\ :-[ Sorry, I wish I had something else to say, but if all goes to plan, finally, we should have a public beta release next week.