Securifi Community Forum
Securifi Products => Almond+ => Topic started by: smitch019 on August 31, 2015, 05:27:09 pm
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I'm sure much of the community would like to get some kind of update as to when the next stable release will be or at least where things are as of now. I'm sure no one thought that even though this is a new venture that updates would be this delayed.
Thanks!
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Amen!
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I concur.... you guys should seriously consider a more regular firmware release cycle that doesn't involve having to sign an NDA. I am willing to deal with a little instability as long as the firmware keeps moving forward.
Right now there seems to be too many issues, and the extremely slow firmware release cycles just leads to frustration.
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Yup, seriously looking at other routers at the moment.
Most frustrating is the lack of a roadmap or even a global indication of possible firmware releases.
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Moving this back to the top until we get some kind of response.
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I noticed the Almond + 2015 is on version 88, while us backers are stuck at 80. What gives @Securifi?
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Looking forward to the update once the beta release finally goes live. I hope it delivers.
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Gonna keep on bumping this up there until someone from Securifi provides some information. We certainly deserve to know what is going on (or not going on).
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The lack of customer support, much less backer communication is abSURD. I'm gonna get on line for a Smart Things V2 hub.
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Did anyone else who used to have beta access also lose it when they started this recent push of signing NDA's?
I concur.... you guys should seriously consider a more regular firmware release cycle that doesn't involve having to sign an NDA. I am willing to deal with a little instability as long as the firmware keeps moving forward.
Right now there seems to be too many issues, and the extremely slow firmware release cycles just leads to frustration.
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And...back up to the top. It has become a test of wills now I guess. Not sure why they want to anger customers.
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Still waiting...
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My almond+ will be worn out by the time the firmware has caught up with the hardware. I should have let it sit in the box unused for 2 years first. I try not to check on here too much or I'll drive myself crazy. Oh well.
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Dudeness, exactly, and then the hardware will be obsolete soon after. It really is puzzling why no one from Securifi does us the courtesy of a response to these questions and concerns. More than puzzling, it is troubling.
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The lack of any real progress, or even information on any progress coming. With the exception of " big changes coming" , is why I've decided that the A+ touchscreen UI is not worth it. When it comes to HA integration, Securifi has not only missed the boat, but it appears that they did not even get tickets for the cruise.
With no integration with anything other than ( limited ) Hue, I am pretty much looking at a $200 clock. A device that was promoted as the one and best, only do everything interface. Turned out to be a fairly decent router with very limited HA ability. No user customization of anything, No IFTT, NO Logitech Harmony, No Amazon Echo, the list goes on of all the things that don't work with A+. Heck I can't even get an acknowledgement as to why loopback doesn't work on over 1/2 my devices,so I can't see what is on 1/2 cameras if I am in the house. I can't control Tivo or Honeywell HVAC with phone/tablet unless I shut off WiFi and connect remotely.
I have no issues with Beta testers being required to sign NDA. That is SOP. No company wants things ( good or bad) leaked out that might not end up being in the final release.
I am forced to think about that Win98 133Mhz HP Desktop I bought almost 20 years ago. Proclaimed as the biggest and best , fully expandable. "The last computer you will ever need to buy. "
The fact that this forum is DEAD, with the exception of a few holdouts ( myself included) tell me where A+ is headed. Look at how many of the posts are related to using A+ as a secondary AP or extender. It seems almost nobody is using A+ as their primary .
Over a year since limited pre-release and over 9 months since public release and we are still waiting for basic functionality. Why have USB ports for NAS if we don't have functional DLNA server ? How can we have an internet clock and weather, but not have the ability to set sunset/sunrise rules ? This time of year I am having to reset the timers on my lights at least once a week to keep up with the changes in sun.
I just ordered my Harmony Ultimate Home and ST V2. Almond and A+ will be relegated ( almond already is) as just accessories. Not happy with myself for having spent $300 on a couple of clocks, that don't even have alarms. At least they still have some use .unlike the Wink Hub and Wink Links that are sitting on a box in the basement.
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Well said, ridreams. Still in a holding pattern waiting for someone at Securifi to speak.
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Just ordered the Onhub , its due to arrive thursday.
anyone want my almond+ with whole bunch sensors let me know and i'll be glad to get rid of the almond+ and all the sensors i never used for a good price
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The upcoming update is a big one. Most of the beta testers are very pleased with it. The invitation for beta testers is still open as long as you don't work for our competitors. We expect to send out updates once in 3 months give or take.
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Just ordered the Onhub , its due to arrive thursday.
anyone want my almond+ with whole bunch sensors let me know and i'll be glad to get rid of the almond+ and all the sensors i never used for a good price
I think I am done with consumer grade stuff period. Going to move to the enterprise lite stuff and go to Ubiquiti. They have flaked on their customers previously, but definitely have been more communicative about it and seem to be pushing hard right now.
I want to like the Almond+, but I can't even get the DMZ to work properly (my PS4 still shows NAT type 2)... I'll just shelve it for now and hope that they get it together later.
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Appreciate the information @Ashok! However, any time frame on when that update will be?
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@Ashok - Did you say product updates once every 3 months? That would be good as a maintenance schedule for a complete, full-featured and stable product. Almond+ is still missing tons of features and feels kind of beta. Delivering missing features every 3 months doesn't sound right at all. So, would beta tester group be the only mechanism to receive product updates more frequently?
Andy
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@ Andy,
I could understand what you are trying to say, however, as mentioned earlier the next update is going to have good number of new features. Yes, for now users can get the Beta firmware only through Beta group. However, If you are comfortable in using the Beta firmware then you can get them by signing the NDA and filling the basic details.
Just an update, we already released two Beta firmwares and more are yet to be released..
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@ smitch019,
We just released second Beta firmware today and hopefully, we would be releasing one more soon and depending upon the bug fixes, it would be released to everyone.
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" Big update coming" " Lots of new features " . These are the exact type of non-announcements that I was referring to. No roadmap or hint at what direction Securifi has decided to go , other than to keep its customers completely in the dark.
As others have said quarterly updates would be fine if things were working and just pushing minor stability or security updates. However giving the current state we should be getting weekly or at least biweekly updates. No, lets pile up all the problems then push out one BIG fix. This way we won't actually know which one of the patches is causing the problem when something doesn't work. Then again we don't know if this " big update" is even addressing all of the problems we are having or if it is a new UI, new app, just adding more compatible devices.
With all of the past issues with firmware updates and how many of us had to roll back a release or two to get things (relatively) stable. I really have to question the rationale that led to the decision to hold back any fixes for 3 months then push out one big update. Not give your customers even a hint of what solutions they might expect to see in the promised "big update"
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Exactly
I can tell you this
i bought and installed the Onhub and my oh my my Issues went away.
my dead spots are better (and my Almond+ and Onhub were exactly in the same place)
My speeds are very consistent and while i've only had this thing for 3 days. no reboot. Almond+ Starts having issues weekly. So i've yet to hit the mark but kudos to Google . this thing is good.
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I too just bought a Google On-Hub. However, it replaced my router on the third floor of my house. I had better signal strength on the main floor of my house from the On-Hub then I did from the Almond+ which was sitting in the middle of the first floor (it was a bridge to the router on the third floor). That's just wrong...
... and I haven't dropped the signal on my wife and son using the on-Hub, both using iPhone 6's... I had to reboot daily for the Almond+ to keep a signal on their iPhones.
I really want the Almond+ to work... but it's just unreliable right now. Even the home automation stuff, every now and then it would just stop reporting that my doors were opening and closing via Android notifications.
Looking forward to the "big update"... but sadly, I held my breath as long as I could, and then bought the on-Hub to replace it. Guess it'll be just for my tinkering now...
:(
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So I got one of these a year ago as a Beta Backer whatever. There was a note saying the features I wanted were not complete and an update would be available. I just plugged it back in and checked for updates and there are none? The website says it is a range extender or wireless bridge. Mine does none of that >:(
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@ Gramps,
You might have got an old firmware on the Almond+, which may not allow us to update software directly through LCD UI. Hence, you may have to update the firmware to R080 through Web UI and there onwards, software update would work directly from the LCD UI. Once the software is updated, you could setup the Almond+ in Range Extender mode with out any concerns.
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Three months tomorrow. I want someone to admit this product wasn't ready when marketed. Wow.
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Three months tomorrow. I want someone to admit this product wasn't ready when marketed. Wow.
No worries " Big things are coming, you will love it "
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Just Purchased the New Samsung SmarterThings hub from Amazon. Should be shipping soon. Has integration with, Bluetooth, Wifi, Zwave & Zigbee and the Amazon Echo right out of the box. So long Almond Plus, No Roadmap, No Progress, No more waiting.
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Just Purchased the New Samsung SmarterThings hub from Amazon. Should be shipping soon. Has integration with, Bluetooth, Wifi, Zwave & Zigbee and the Amazon Echo right out of the box. So long Almond Plus, No Roadmap, No Progress, No more waiting.
You forgot IFTT and Harmony . So soon you too can unlock your front door and have the TV already on the evening news before you get into the den. TheST drivers for the Schlage 469 locks actually work too, so you will finally get the push notifications of who unlocked the door and add or remove codes.
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I think the SmartThings is just so far ahead that i just don't see Securifi catching up to them at all. That being said, for my needs the Almond+ does work well and I am pretty happy with it.
I do think Securifi is extremely responsive and helpful and are working hard, but in terms of what can be supported, SmartThings is just so far ahead. IFTTT, TCP, WeMo, Echo, Harmony. (Seriously, look at this http://www.smartthings.com/compatible-products).
If you have Almond and you are looking for a basic HA, I think this will serve your needs well. However, you are likely to outgrow this pretty soon.
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If you have Almond and you are looking for a basic HA, I think this will serve your needs well. However, you are likely to outgrow this pretty soon.
I will agree that Securifi CS ( Lars and now Ashok ) are responsive and do the best they can. I still remember posting a problem here in the forum months ago and since Ashok had me phone # off my my email signature from a earlier issue he called me to talk me through trying to fix it. Now that is top customer service. I can not think of any other CS anywhere that actually keeps customers information and will call them to fix a problem posted in a public forum.
It is just that the backend techs are not keeping up with the curve when it comes to getting the A+ to actually work. What was ( is) an awesome piece of hardware just does not have the software needed to actually work . If you just want a simple all-in-one timer to turn your lights on every night at 6pm than A+ will work for you. If you want a complete HA hub ,than I am afraid Securifi has decided to go in another direction.
Since R080 even the wifi is mediocre at best. 6 months ago I could stream video unbuffered from 2 houses away. Yes I did that real world test. I had a 5G signal to the street where it switched to 2.4 and I did not drop to 1 line of signal and start buffering until 2 houses away. Then I walked my property line and never dropped below 3 of 5 even at the furthest corner of the fence.
Now I can't even stream music to my hottub ( 25' through a floor and 1 window from the A+ ) without buffering. Forget about trying to post or view a picture from the back yard unless you switch the phone to 4G or walk up to the window 5' from the router to get a strong enough wifi signal.
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I will agree that Securifi CS ( Lars and now Ashok ) are responsive and do the best they can. I still remember posting a problem here in the forum months ago and since Ashok had me phone # off my my email signature from a earlier issue he called me to talk me through trying to fix it. Now that is top customer service. I can not think of any other CS anywhere that actually keeps customers information and will call them to fix a problem posted in a public forum.
I agree. I hope Ashok and team understands that the occasional frustration is with the product direction and not indicative of them personally. I believe Ashok and team are doing a great job in continuing to engage and try to resolve what they can.
Forget about trying to post or view a picture from the back yard unless you switch the phone to 4G or walk up to the window 5' from the router to get a strong enough wifi signal.
This is news to me. I have had no problems with the router at all. There is one very remote corner of the house where connectivity is weak for 5G, but 2.4g works perfectly fine. I had a problem with this once when I tried to use it in an apartment community. There was a lot of overlap on the channel which caused the wifi performance to degrade. Maybe someone else moved nearby and that is causing interference ? You can use inSSIDer to check and see if there are any available bands and try to use them.
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You must've gotten a good one.
Using WiFi Analyzer on Samsung Galaxy , I can watch 5ghz channel drop off by 10db at 10 feet from router , by the time I'm 30' from the router I'm at -90 with no other networks in sight . This is open LOS within my house. If I walk 25 feet from the router to the back door, step into the sunroom and close the glass door behind me I am at -90db. Only one other signal in the spectrum and it is not overlapping.
My neighbors ( stupidly) have an open guest network . Yesterday I was trying to figure out why I couldn't login to my LAN IP camera from Kindle. Checked and it was connected to their guest network . So their Charter Cable modem has a better wifi signal in my bedroom from 100' down the street, than my A+ does from my diningroom.
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What you describe in the way of db drop off is in no way even close to my experience with the A+.
My setup covers generally greater distances that you describe, through more obstacles and I am still streaming video without buffering as an example.
If you were interested in working the Signal issue on the A+, I'd be interested in seeing a much more detailed survey of a Line of Sight test because there is just no way 30ft is going to drop you to -90dbm with most any Tx running at 20dbm from the source.
Maybe reset your country/region to Bolivia for a few minutes and see how much of a change there is. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK and remember to switch back to your normal country/region immediately after testing.
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You must've gotten a good one.
Using WiFi Analyzer on Samsung Galaxy , I can watch 5ghz channel drop off by 10db at 10 feet from router , by the time I'm 30' from the router I'm at -90 with no other networks in sight . This is open LOS within my house. If I walk 25 feet from the router to the back door, step into the sunroom and close the glass door behind me I am at -90db. Only one other signal in the spectrum and it is not overlapping.
My neighbors ( stupidly) have an open guest network . Yesterday I was trying to figure out why I couldn't login to my LAN IP camera from Kindle. Checked and it was connected to their guest network . So their Charter Cable modem has a better wifi signal in my bedroom from 100' down the street, than my A+ does from my diningroom.
What is a good signal strength tester for iOS? I recently put in a second modem in the house due to poor range on the A+, and the range on the second modem appears to be twice that of the Almond!!
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Three months one week and counting.
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What is a good signal strength tester for iOS? I recently put in a second modem in the house due to poor range on the A+, and the range on the second modem appears to be twice that of the Almond!!
WiPry if you want to get serious about WiFi analysis but given that it's costs a couple hundred dollars U.S., it is beyond the interest of most folks.
Should also mention that almost all IOS Apps that call themselves WiFi Scanners or Analyzers, are not. They do little more than PING the network and scan for IP's.
You are better off getting an old Android device, even several years old, and loading some WiFi scanner on that.
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@Ashok
Do your truly think it is fair to all of us who have backed this project since the beginning to only receive updates ONCE every 3 months??? I see many here already choosing other alternatives and some are even beta testers! That doesn't exactly make me feel very confident with the progress or even in the product. I don't think it is asking too much to receive at least a monthly update. For example, letting us know if the 3rd beta firmware was sent out yet and its status, etc. At least that way we know there is progress instead of having no idea of where things are at. I have been very patient as many others have here, however, I am also close to looking into other HA options.
Looking forward to hearing an update soon.
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Ashok, can you also comment on the lack of new apps for the LCD UI? Are any developers (backers?) doing any, either? This thread has been way to quiet for a thriving community. http://forum.securifi.com/index.php/board,11.0.html (http://forum.securifi.com/index.php/board,11.0.html)
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@ smitch019,
I would agree to the point of posting an update regarding the Beta release, we released two Beta firmwares so far which has support for Scenes, Nest, improvements with Rules engine and support for sensors on other UI's etc..,. Hopefully, we would release one more Beta this week and depending upon the feedback, it would be released to every one.
I would ensure to update the status of every Beta release on this post.
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@ mr23,
Ashok, can you also comment on the lack of new apps for the LCD UI? Are any developers (backers?) doing any, either? This thread has been way to quiet for a thriving community. http://forum.securifi.com/index.php/board,11.0.html (http://forum.securifi.com/index.php/board,11.0.html)
Allow me some time to get back to you after discussing this with our team.
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Sorry, but I am tired of hearing about Beta this and Beta that. All that means is that those few of us left that did not sign up as beta testers have zip. I'm ordering the ST hub and moving on. What a disappointment.
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@ mr23,
Allow me some time to get back to you after discussing this with our team.
Thank you.
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@ mr23,
I just got the update from our team that we are going to release the Web Socket based API in a month's time.
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@ mr23,
I just got the update from our team that we are going to release the Web Socket based API in a month's time.
This is good news indeed.
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Three and a half months for software updates that fix known issues and play catch up to the rest of the pack. Now mine is dropping WAN connections too.
When good ideas go bad.....
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@ mr23,
I just got the update from our team that we are going to release the Web Socket based API in a month's time.
Thank you.
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@ smitch019,
I would agree to the point of posting an update regarding the Beta release, we released two Beta firmwares so far which has support for Scenes, Nest, improvements with Rules engine and support for sensors on other UI's etc..,. Hopefully, we would release one more Beta this week and depending upon the feedback, it would be released to every one.
I would ensure to update the status of every Beta release on this post.
Ashok, any update for this update?
Thanks.
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@ smitch019,
I would agree to the point of posting an update regarding the Beta release, we released two Beta firmwares so far which has support for Scenes, Nest, improvements with Rules engine and support for sensors on other UI's etc..,. Hopefully, we would release one more Beta this week and depending upon the feedback, it would be released to every one.
I would ensure to update the status of every Beta release on this post.
I just saw this thread. I am not sure about the point of NDA if the details are made publicly available :-). Not that I mind, just that the beta testers did not really have to jump the hoop
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@ d.kiran,
I just saw this thread. I am not sure about the point of NDA if the details are made publicly available :-). Not that I mind, just that the beta testers did not really have to jump the hoop
I only meant the Beta firmware releases and their status, not the new features which are added in to it because even I don't have any authorization to reveal about the new features, as they have to be properly tested and once I get the approval only then I could update about them. Coming to the other features which are discussed here are already updated to every one in other post.
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Ashok, any update for this update?
Thanks.
Yes, our team is still working on it and we are yet to release one more Beta firmware to our Beta testers.
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Yes, our team is still working on it and we are yet to release one more Beta firmware to our Beta testers.
Any idea when the next beta will be released?
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So software release soon, sometime soon, or non-existent?
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@ Fire69,
Any idea when the next beta will be released?
Hopefully, this week once our team approves would release it.
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@ atrueresistance,
So software release soon, sometime soon, or non-existent?
We are still working with the Beta firmware and if everything goes well, we may release one more Beta firmware to our Beta Testers and upon which depending upon the bug fixes and feedback, it would be released to everyone. I am hoping for the best and it could be soon.
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Updates should be consistent not sporadic!
To date, the almond + is a fancy range extender for me.
Not very pleased.
This is how you roll out updates from your supposedly competitors site...
http://support.getvera.com/customer/portal/topics/666697-release-notes/articles
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What i would live to know, will the next update consist of an updated OpenWRT, a version with package support?
I bought this Router+HA combi because it was announced as an open-source platform, yet due to chip-driver issues we are stuck with outdated binary packages unable to compile the simplest network tools for this router. This alone is unacceptable for me, due to that i have not bought a single HA sensor yet and that thing is resting at a dark place atm.
Can anyone tell me if this soon (sarcasm hits you) update actually adresses any of this?
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I wouldn't count on a platform update. From what I understand, the OpenWRT bits came from Cortina, not Securifi, and Cortina is no longer around (bought out by Realtek). I would be surprised if anyone's still pouring engineering resources into what is a four year old chip at this point, especially since the A+ seems to be the only CS7542-based router out there.
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If we don't hear any positive news coming this week, as I believe we were supposed to hear if the last beta was released late last week, then I'm going another route. I am interested in HA but fairly new to it. What would any of your recommend as a new route? STv2? I have zigbee and zwave sensors (mostly bulbs, door locks, garage door sensor, thermostat). Refuse to purchase anything else until I know which direction this is going.
Thanks all!
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FOUR MONTHS... and counting...
and yeah.. I know... another beta was released today and hopefully we can see a final release very soon. Depending......
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FOUR MONTHS... and counting...
and yeah.. I know... another beta was released today and hopefully we can see a final release very soon. Depending......
::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) +1
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I wouldn't count on a platform update. From what I understand, the OpenWRT bits came from Cortina, not Securifi, and Cortina is no longer around (bought out by Realtek). I would be surprised if anyone's still pouring engineering resources into what is a four year old chip at this point, especially since the A+ seems to be the only CS7542-based router out there.
Not only that but the chip vendor "strongly" recommended not going with a more recent version of OpenWRT. Most unfortunate.
Cortina Listing of SoC
http://www.cortina-access.com/products/36-digital-home-processors
Early Press
http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2011/08/cortina-systems-unveils-cs7542cs7522-chips-for-converged-carrier-services-home-gateways-127834758.html
This guy would have more than a little insight to the issues
http://www.indeed.com/r/Deyi-Dong/fd8a2fd2f2d42eaa
Some discussion of the details
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7700/securifis-almond-platform-update-integrates-cortina-soc-with-qca-radios
A little perspective from a well known router company that promised an open source ready platform that likely will not deliver the goods. Meaning OpenWRT support isn't as easy as many would like to think.
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/01/linksys-resurrects-classic-blue-router-with-open-source-and-300-price/
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It's obvious (at least to me), that my Almond+ is basically a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs) at this point.
Should have bought a Vera Edge in the first place.
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It's obvious (at least to me), that my Almond+ is basically a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs) at this point.
Should have bought a Vera Edge in the first place.
I just can't agree largely because my Almond+ is stable, works as a household router and performs the automation with the devices I have attached. The rules engine works for most of what I want to do the concerns I have are relatively minor.
Can't tell if I'm just lucky or if we have a few vocal folks making a lot of noise that are not representative of the larger user base.
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Can't tell if I'm just lucky or if we have a few vocal folks making a lot of noise that are not representative of the larger user base.
Router functionality seem to "have their days". In my experience this issue is far from exclusive to Securifi.
IMHO the biggest complaints are of the broken promises of this being the best thing since the invention of the internet with an open interface. A simple all-in-one does everything hub. A promise that it definitely has not lived up to.
Here we are 2 years into it's original scheduled release and we have nothing more than a mediocre router with a very limited HA engine. It is still the only device in a class by itself. Maybe there's a good reason why nobody else has really put much effort into producing a hub and router in one. Okay we have the new TPLink Google Onhub, but the reviews of that have not exactly been stellar, if you discount the paid reviews and the simple " it's great because it talks" reviews.
You can find plenty of favorable reviews for Quirky Wink products too and we don't have to go there.
I am sure you can find plenty of favorable reviews for Harmony Home, people that are ecstatic that they can automatically dim their TV room lights when they put in a movie . If that is all they want and are happy, than good for them.
I will agree that if you want a basic router, don't have heavy traffic and just basic HA to turn lights on/off at specific times or when a door opens/closes, than you should definitely still consider the A+. However if you want a complete central control hub for advanced systems then A+ can not do the job. It has been requested since day 2 that people much smarter than myself have access be able to create device types and a better rules engine to be able to incorporate more advances HA functions. This has been discounted .
I never thought of myself as a high end user, but with 40+/- internet connected devices between TVs, TV boxes, phones, tablets, computers, cameras, DVRs ,NVRs. NAS I guess I am. Then add the 50+ ZW and Zigbee lights and sensors, you can see where it actually is a fairly heavy workload that the A+ just can't handle. At least not to the extant that I want it to.
Now if they at least opened up C2C so we could integrate other systems and simply use A+ as the central control hub we were promised, then that would be a completely different story.
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...IMHO the biggest complaints are of the broken promises of this being the best thing since the invention of the internet with an open interface. A simple all-in-one does everything hub. A promise that it definitely has not lived up to. ...
Add to that some poor design choices, like building an entirely different interface for each of LCD, local web, cloud, and iPhone/Android apps, meaning that every feature update has to be done multiple times, and often only appears on one interface. So you can reboot the router from a phone, but not add rules there. You can crate rules on the local web, but not reboot the router (or has that been fixed - it's on the cloud web UI, which can't do rules). You can only add sensors from the LCD. New HA devices may be controllable from one interface and not others.
The need to custom-integrate every HA device that comes along is something Securifi may have justifiably underestimated. The hassle of updating five different UIs is a problem of their own making.
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Speaking of due for an update, https://blog.securifi.com/ (https://blog.securifi.com/) hasn't had an update since practically when Lars left. Almost 5 months now.
Although that isn't functionality we need in the A+ or app, it is telling.
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@ mr23,
It is true that we have not updated anything new on it, which would be taken care off. However, please note that whenever there is any new response on the blog, it has been acknowledged.
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Add to that some poor design choices, like building an entirely different interface for each of LCD, local web, cloud, and iPhone/Android apps, meaning that every feature update has to be done multiple times, and often only appears on one interface. So you can reboot the router from a phone, but not add rules there. You can crate rules on the local web, but not reboot the router (or has that been fixed - it's on the cloud web UI, which can't do rules). You can only add sensors from the LCD. New HA devices may be controllable from one interface and not others.
The need to custom-integrate every HA device that comes along is something Securifi may have justifiably underestimated. The hassle of updating five different UIs is a problem of their own making.
I don't know that the common interface makes it much easier across platforms, for example IOS/Android development. HTML5 support across the board would help. But to be honest, it hasn't been that much of a headache for me. I only setup one device at a time and adding it at the console wasn't much of a problem given that the sensor was usually close by anyway.
Sure there's stuff I'd change, it's just not giving me the heartburn it seems to give others.
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I don't know that the common interface makes it much easier across platforms, for example IOS/Android development. HTML5 support across the board would help. But to be honest, it hasn't been that much of a headache for me. I only setup one device at a time and adding it at the console wasn't much of a problem given that the sensor was usually close by anyway.
Sure there's stuff I'd change, it's just not giving me the heartburn it seems to give others.
There are tools (PhoneGap, etc) that make it easy to deploy a web-based app to multiple mobile platforms. Using such a tool, Securifi could develop their web UI to be an adaptive design (works on desktop and mobile), and kill multiple birds with one stone. Their current design appears to have a completely separate development for each supported device (Apple, Android, Cloud UI, local UI). To say the least, this is resource intensive and easily explains the time delay between releases.
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There are tools (PhoneGap, etc) that make it easy to deploy a web-based app to multiple mobile platforms. Using such a tool, Securifi could develop their web UI to be an adaptive design (works on desktop and mobile), and kill multiple birds with one stone. Their current design appears to have a completely separate development for each supported device (Apple, Android, Cloud UI, local UI). To say the least, this is resource intensive and easily explains the time delay between releases.
Sure there are plenty of tools out there for cross platform development, and yes, that would likely decrease the software development cycle. Then again, the cross platform stuff does have plenty of limitations and doesn't allow you to leverage some features on the specific platforms.
As for time delays between releases, I'd say it has to do with any number of other factors. For example, coders experience levels. I'm familiar with the work of some of the folks and can recognize junior programming efforts from the horizon. Not that it's a bad thing, lots of companies do it to meet budgetary constraints. No, there are other forces at work here.
Even so, there appear to be a number of beta folks working the issues and the upcoming API release leave me ever the optimist. That and the "complex" stuff I'm doing beyond light timers is really just a bunch of simple shell scripting so the apparent limitations of others aren't causing me any grief currently.
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@ mr23,
I just got the update from our team that we are going to release the Web Socket based API in a month's time.
So should we expect an update within the next 9 days?
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Well, with the lack of regular updates that we were told we would receive, like when betas go out etc, I have finally decided to move on.
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Here's to the hope that the websocket API is actually released in the near future.
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@ mr23,
I just got the update from our team that we are going to release the Web Socket based API in a month's time.
Ashok, can you provide an update on the Web Socket API? Tomorrow is a month.
How is the beta->release looking?
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@ mr23,
I am waiting for the update from our team, I would check with them and get back to you with the latest update on this.
We released one more Beta firmware and it's been 2 days, so far the feedback has been good.
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Got some update on this, Web Socket based API may not work with the current firmware and it would work with our next release. Hence, once our next firmware is released then the Web Socket based API would be releasing.
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Got some update on this, Web Socket based API may not work with the current firmware and it would work with our next release. Hence, once our next firmware is released then the Web Socket based API would be releasing.
So the $50,000 question is ... when will that be???? (I'd add a smiley, but I can't bring myself to).
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So the $50,000 question is ... when will that be???? (I'd add a smiley, but I can't bring myself to).
If I recall it was ( supposed to be) released in September.
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I love it how I had a major discussion (argument) with Lars months ago about how the Almond+ kickstarter is nothing more than an alpha/beta disguised as a retail product and months later:
- a beta programme is officially launched
- features are still missing
- firmware has stopped updating (or has been delayed indefinitely)
Despite the lack of support, they went ahead with the retail sale of the Almond+ on Amazon AND launched their Almond 2015.
Every participant in this forum with some shred of decency should go to Amazon and post their honest review of how great/bad this product has been for them.
Ps. If all you use the Almond+ for is a basic router (god bless you, but you paid waaaaaaaay too much for a below-average router) and are perfectly happy with it, you probably wouldn't need to be trawling this forums.
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@ mr23,
We released one more Beta firmware and it's been 2 days, so far the feedback has been good.
It's been another week, please update on the beta/release. Thanks.
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@ mr23,
It's been another week, please update on the beta/release. Thanks.
As off now, we have not released any other new Beta firmware and once it is released, would let you know.
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Ashok,
This is getting comical and I mean not in a good way. It sounds like your visibility is as limited as it is for anybody else here.
What is your function while spending time in this forum?
Why doesn't Securifi understand the necessity to communicate with their less and less confident user base on
- current development efforts / potential blocks (not assuming there aren't any)
- future roadmap and "where we are right now"
- release schedules
- bug tracking
But maybe this is completely out of the ordinary?
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In my mind, it seems they are trying to hit a home run with the next release instead of putting out small incremental releases.
In today's fast pace, releases should be coming every couple of weeks. Not once a year.
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As long as they're actively working on it, and it'll be out soon, that'll be great. The weird secrecy and the slow pace of development are a little worrisome, but I'd rather they not cut corners on QA testing and end up with a firmware that cuts wifi performance or any such thing. I don't at all understand the business reasons for not releasing beta versions to those of us who are interested, without all the security concern and NDA nonsense. Is there really something so secret and important in development that must be kept under wraps? As has been noted earlier in the thread, other companies put out public betas without all the fuss.
But I'm excited about the websocket interface and think it'd finally get me the functionality for which I was hoping when I bought the device. If Securifi really extends the websocket interface to allow remote scripts to get the status and toggle/set connected sensors, that'd suddenly make the Almond+ a useful automation hub controllable via node-red or openhab or other systems -- without us having to depend on Securifi's graphic interface or development process. Once they have this system in place I'll stop worrying too much. I'd then be getting decent wifi performance, VPN, and z-wave and zigbee interfaces that I can control with software of my choice.
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I wouldn't call five months since the last beta er.... update .... anything close to "actively". Mine's going on ebay.
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czyzczyz, "out soon" expired a LONG time ago! The lack of communication is unconscionable.
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@ mr23,
I am waiting for the update from our team, I would check with them and get back to you with the latest update on this.
We released one more Beta firmware and it's been 2 days, so far the feedback has been good.
With three weeks since the last news of a beta release can we start looking forward to a public release?
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It's very frustrating that this product is as buggy as it is. I had the first gen Almond(s) (two of them, one as router and one as AP) and loved them. Now the two Almond+'s (:() I have barely ever work as promised. I even recommended Almonds to a bunch of people who were looking for new routers. Sadly any trust or good will people had towards me or my opinion is pretty much shot at this point in time, as people who went out and bought this version have been upset and venting to me about them.
It would be great if there was a series of small bug fix firmware updates, bunny I'd be fine with a fairly regular notching from R80 to R81, R82... But sadly this doesn't look like the case. It's been MONTHS since the last update and this product isn't getting any more stable. And honestly, I'm getting kind of sick of the lie that the new firmware is coming "in the next few days" (plus a couple days more). Frankly I feel bad for Ashok, as he has to put himself out in front of us and then look like a fool when the promised dates slip past.
I'm giving this product and company until the end of the year to make this product work, after that point in time I'm going to write them off as a failed experiment and another reason to stay away from crowd funded projects.
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Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Move on, I did.
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How is the Almond2015 features/stability compared to the A+? I took a peak at https://forum.securifi.com/index.php/board,37.0.html (https://forum.securifi.com/index.php/board,37.0.html) but it seems A15 has many issues as well.
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It's very frustrating that this product is as buggy as it is. I had the first gen Almond(s) (two of them, one as router and one as AP) and loved them. Now the two Almond+'s (:() I have barely ever work as promised. I even recommended Almonds to a bunch of people who were looking for new routers. Sadly any trust or good will people had towards me or my opinion is pretty much shot at this point in time, as people who went out and bought this version have been upset and venting to me about them.
It would be great if there was a series of small bug fix firmware updates, bunny I'd be fine with a fairly regular notching from R80 to R81, R82... But sadly this doesn't look like the case. It's been MONTHS since the last update and this product isn't getting any more stable. And honestly, I'm getting kind of sick of the lie that the new firmware is coming "in the next few days" (plus a couple days more). Frankly I feel bad for Ashok, as he has to put himself out in front of us and then look like a fool when the promised dates slip past.
I'm giving this product and company until the end of the year to make this product work, after that point in time I'm going to write them off as a failed experiment and another reason to stay away from crowd funded projects.
I am also waiting until end of year
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This is really sad. Great hardware, great promises. Software on the verge of offering some level of independence from Securifi's automation interface.
Updates have become so slow it makes me wonder if there's even a development team.
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This is really sad. Great hardware, great promises. Software on the verge of offering some level of independence from Securifi's automation interface.
Updates have become so slow it makes me wonder if there's even a development team.
Sure there is !! They even have a Facebook page. Well, the employees do and they mention the development team. Though to be honest, it is feeling like it might be more of a one man band at the moment.
In any event, progress is substandard and not satisfactory.
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Name a successful software or hardware producer that waits 6 months after the release of a half baked beta firmware version to release an update. Then name one that did it successfully without a public roadmap to get there,
I'll wait.
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Well, beginning with your description of "half baked"...essential router functionality was available and firmware updates did not take 6 months initially. So I'm not taking your point there. If you are referring to the time following release 80, yes it has been too long but again, essential router functionality is there and the home automation certainly works with the Securifi products as well as some others. The Rules are Beta, not release version.
As for public roadmaps, you have got to be kidding me, most companies don't release "public roadmaps" for software or hardware. They barely have internal roadmaps and yes, that includes successful companies. DEC, Compaq, HP, NEC, IBM, they've all done it with various hardware devices and retail software and so have many many others.
I realize you are axe grinding, and I don't blame Kickstarter backers for being angry, not a bit. What I don't understand is the hostility to those that differ from you in experience or opinion and the constant derailing of threads without providing value to the OP's, this thread not withstanding.
But I can only speak to my experience and that of a half dozen implementations I have supported and they are all functional.
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@ mr23,
As off now, we have not released any other new Beta firmware and once it is released, would let you know.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's been another 4 weeks.
Is there an ETA for a release?
Thanks.
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I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's been another 4 weeks.
Is there an ETA for a release?
Thanks.
Indeed, silence is deafening.
Ashok, please say something - at least the backers/customers deserve minimum level of transparency from your employer.
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I realize you are axe grinding, and I don't blame Kickstarter backers for being angry, not a bit. What I don't understand is the hostility to those that differ from you in experience or opinion and the constant derailing of threads without providing value to the OP's, this thread not withstanding.
I'm sorry to seem hostile, particularly to other owners. It's not my intention. Somewhere it has become acceptable that this level of function be sold. More people than can be counted cannot get reliable wifi connections, myself included. Random reboots, and lack of z-wave stability are other issues. And beta rules engine at this point is really unacceptable, particularly when your peers in the industry have this functionality out of the box.
It's fine... I come here to find out if the promised update will ever allow me to hook the thing back up again as an access point, or at least put it on ebay. Live and learn.
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@ All,
To the best of my knowledge, there won't be any Beta release this week and in fact, we are completely focusing on releasing the public firmware. Hence, I am just eagerly waiting for our team to give me permission, so that I can release it.
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@ All,
To the best of my knowledge, there won't be any Beta release this week and in fact, we are completely focusing on releasing the public firmware. Hence, I am just eagerly waiting for our team to give me permission, so that I can release it.
Does the release event include the websocket api publication, or will we have to wait further for that?
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@ mr23,
Does the release event include the websocket api publication, or will we have to wait further for that?
Most probably, we may have to wait for some more time. However, would update the status at the time of firmware release.
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@ mr23,
Web Socket API is released.
https://wiki.securifi.com/index.php/Websockets_Documentation
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@ mr23,
Web Socket API is released.
https://wiki.securifi.com/index.php/Websockets_Documentation
Thank you Securifi, and Ashok for your help with communication.
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Great!
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When is the next release planned? December was the most recent.
Thanks,
-Chris
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Yes. The latest firmware works great, but some insight into future developments would be interesting. Even a rough roadmap would be great,
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@ mr23,
When is the next release planned? December was the most recent.
Thanks,
-Chris
Most probably a final Beta firmware would be released in 2-3 days and depending upon the feedback the public firmware would be released.
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@ All,
I just wanted to update everyone as it's been a bit late and apologize for the delay, we are still working on the release and the moment I receive any information, would be happy to post it. Thank you!
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Thanks for the update! Looking forward to any improvements :D
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Any word on increasing the static lease limit from the current limit of 20?
Is there anyone even working on that? It was not adequate or acceptable when I first purchased this router, and becomes less and less so with every connected device I add to it.
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@ Shazster,
Not yet as of now, but I am hopeful that our team would work on it through future firmware updates.
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Any update on that update?
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@ meberlein,
Not yet, still waiting for an update. However, as per my understanding may be any time next week I guess.