Smart home platform Wink today announced the introduction of the Wink Hub 2, which the company says is "better, faster, more reliable, and more secure" than the original Wink Hub. In communication with a connected app, the device acts as a central location for users to connect a variety of smart home electronics in one place.

The 25 percent slimmer Wink Hub 2 now supports both 2.4 and 5GHz networks, and comes with an Ethernet port for smoother network connections. Wink also improved the Hub 2's wireless capabilities, so it now supports Kidde, Lutron Clear Connect, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, and has an improved Bluetooth Low Energy connection. Cryptographic verification, and other hardware security features, have been added as safeguards against tampering, "and ensure Wink Hub 2 only runs trusted software."

wink-hub

“Wink’s mission is to make the smart home accessible, and empower users to harness the real world benefits it provides in everyday life,” said Nathan Smith, Wink founder and CTO. “Wink Hub 2 enables users regardless of their technical know-how to buy the products they love from the brands they trust, and know with confidence they’ll work together seamlessly through Wink.”

A faster processor and 8x more memory than the original Hub helps Wink Hub 2 run "advanced automations" including daily "Schedules," so specific devices turn on or off at set times, and "Robots," so the activation of one product triggers actions in other products. Wink Hub 2 includes support for products from brands like Amazon, Philips, Nest, Kwikset, GE, and more. The company said that since these processes are running locally on Wink Hub 2 they gain "increased speed and reliability."

wink-hub-5
The company is also updating its iOS and Android Wink app to version 5.0, introducing a streamlined setup system for new users, and a no-hassle hub-to-hub transfer process for existing Wink Hub owners.

Wink Hub 2 will be available in late October for $99 at The Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, and Wink's own website. The company will also continue to sell the original Wink Hub for $69 at the same retail and online locations "while supplies last." Users can download the free Wink app from the iOS App Store [Direct Link] now, and the update is said to be launching sometime soon.

Update: Wink 2 is now available for $99 from Wink.com, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Amazon.

Top Rated Comments

ipedro Avatar
92 months ago
Terrible ecosystem that's been nothing but trouble for me. They fixed a lot of the problems recently but it's too late. I'm all in with HomeKit and Wink doesn't seem interested because they want to build their own ecosystem. Good luck competing against Apple.

I've been replacing what I have left which now amounts to a Relay on the wall and a door sensor. I'll be replacing the Wink Relay with an iPad mini mounted to the wall with the Home app on and the door sensor will be replaced by an El Gato HomeKit sensor.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ziggy... Avatar
92 months ago
Why has no one come out with a homekit enabled zwave hub? I am currently stuck with Smart Things hub running "homebridge" a piece of software that emulates a homekit enabled device. It works rather well, but would appreciate something with support from a reliable company.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djearlybird Avatar
92 months ago
...and still no home kit integration. :(
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
92 months ago
I have the ring video doorbell and the philip Hue/White light bulbs. I am also looking to get smart locks, maybe 2 thermostats (not sure since I have radiators on one and forced air for cooling on the other). I also researching smart vents and window sensors. Given the state of the industry, I am thinking that Wink is the only thing today that can tie it all together, because Homekit has been a bust for the last few years since its announcement. I am ready to give up on Homekit and move on to something better. From the comments here other than the homekit integration, I do not see anything negative. So maybe this is the way to go....
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
92 months ago
Elgato door/window sensor has horrible reviews on Amazon. It seems it didn't used to notify you or trigger when the door is opened, but told you the open/closed state of your door only if you ask the device about it. Supposedly, iOS10 update fixes that shortcoming, but no good review has been posted since then. Please let us know about your experience.
Yes, it seems like it was a HomeKit shortcoming. Another one I found is that HomeKit doesn't yet have an option to set a thermostat off when a door open sensor is triggered and back to its previous mode when the door is closed.

HomeKit is still very much a work in progress.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yamahaglock Avatar
92 months ago
I am a current Wink user and think this is great news.

Until HomeKit speaks other industry standards beyond wifi and bluetooth, like zwave and zigbee, it will not be a very complete smart home solution. They could probably accomplish this fairly easily by building zwave and zigbee into their next Applet TV.

For now, I think the best way to build a DIY smart home is with platforms like Wink and SmartThings, even with their shortcomings.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Preliminary Weights and Dimensions

Friday September 29, 2023 12:34 pm PDT by
MacRumors has obtained preliminary information on the weights and dimensions planned for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The information corroborates previous reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Current information suggests that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will maintain the same...
uk bank account apple wallet 2

Apple Wallet's New Bank Account Feature Likely to Expand to U.S.

Friday September 29, 2023 8:11 pm PDT by
Starting with the iOS 17.1 beta released this week, iPhone users in the U.K. can add debit and credit cards from select banks in the country to the Wallet app and view their available balances and latest transactions for those accounts. Apple calls this feature Connected Cards, and it's currently available in the U.K. only, but there is now evidence to suggest it will expand to the U.S. in...
iPhone 15 Pro Cameras

Apple Says iPhone 15 Pro's Titanium Frame Does Not Contribute to Overheating Issue

Saturday September 30, 2023 11:10 am PDT by
Apple today said it plans to release an iOS 17 software update with a bug fix for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, and the company has since shared additional details about the matter with MacRumors. Importantly, Apple said the issue is not related to the titanium frame. Contrary to a report this week, Apple said the iPhone 15 Pro's design does not contribute to...