Well that, and we’ve all got these wall plates wired in our homes anyway. Are we seriously suggesting that all light fixtures be permanently wired on with no way to cut power besides the circuit breaker? Because that’s the only way a “just use smart bulbs instead” stance makes any sense.
As well as when we have guests over, we do want them to be able to control the lights with out giving them access to an entire security platform.
There are also people who live in house holds that while we want some automation, having a physical switch is necessary. Think homes with senior citizens, they want to be able to turn on a light or fan without having to remember how to work a smart phone or an assistant’s voice command.
A smart switch linked to a Wyze bulb would be perfectly fine with me, my original suggestion was to have it have the option of being battery powered so that internal wiring needn’t be used. My reason is mainly that existing switches are sometimes in inconvenient spots, like next to the wrong door of a room. And the previous reply is correct, not everyone has the capacity to use a phone every time they want to turn a light on or off.
Something like the pico remote (Lutron switches) would be an awesome idea. even better if there was a small, low power display (think paper white kindle, not touch sensitive) that you could put a room name or something on, so you know which remote goes to which room.
Agree. Even if I’m willing and able to use fancy automation features on my phone, Alexa, Google, Siri, etc., the rest of my family, or my guests, may not be so inclined. Smart switches need to look and behave like regular low-tech switches so all users know how to operate them.
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The wifi outlets are beginning to emerge from more companies. While this will diminish the need for the smart plug-ins, there still will be a bunch of people that don’t have the skill to take-out/install an outlet and would be unwilling to pay an electrician $80+/hr.
Personally, I like the KASA wifi switches and they work very well. They now have an outlet, but in my opinion, still too pricy. And I’m a bit concerned about the lower-cost models and adding yet another app to my phone. My preference is to remain with one supplier and I do like Wyze products, but they are small and slow in keeping up with the market.
--Jerry
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Before I was turned on to Wyze, I bought 4 or 5 Martin Jerry smart switches (some dimmable, some not) on Amazon. I love these things. The only problem I have with them is that they’re not Wyze… They integrate just fine with Alexa and everything, but I realized that I have so many different apps on my phone for my different home automation things and I’m determined to eventually switch everything over and have a more centralized setup through Wyze. I have their bulbs, but they’re just not super useful for your typical home lighting fixture - you have to leave the switch on and you can only use Alexa or your phone to turn them on/off. I guess what I’m saying here is please make this a thing, @Wyze,
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There are also conditions like an internet outage, that depending on the hub you are using for automation, where your automation rules may not function. especially where I am at in NJ, it’s not uncommon to be running on a generator for several days during hurricane season, It’d absolutely suck to not be able to turn lights on and off because the automation rules are stored in the cloud and because your home internet is down.
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There are applications for both smart bulbs and smart switches. For example, I want to control my exterior lights with a smart switch. Since most of my outdoor light fixtures are not protected from the weather, and several are floodlights, a smart bulb wouldn’t work.
I was following this conversation and thought you were saying smart bulbs and switches on the same fixture. In the home overall, yes, I could use both. Although their are a few features unique to each. Smart bulb - change hue and/or color. Smart switch - never without power. Someway to combine those two things so you can change the hue of the bulb without someone flipping the switch on you removing power.
Your right, I forgot you have to switch it on and off three times for pairing. They should be able to change that. I’ve had mine installed for several months now.
Pleaaaase make 2 and 3 gang switches too
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Compete with the Lutron Caseta and if you have that type of functionality…it would be awesome. Lutron Caseta is so expensive so if you guys developed a more affordable version that links w/ the Wyze bulbs…totally worth it!!
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Really need a scene controller that is hardwired (e.g. to control a group of Wyze bulbs with a simple switch) and does not require a load.
What you are referring to is currently made by Inovelli. A wired switch that controls smart bulbs
If you’re going to go through the effort to put a smart switch in place, why continue to use smart bulbs? color adjustment is the only thing I can think of, but not sure if I would really want to have double the expense.
When you install a smart bulb, your wall switch can become a nuisance. If you or someone else uses your standard wall switch to turn off your smart bulb, the lights will turn off. However, the power for your bulb’s wireless communication will turn off too. Therefore, you will lose any ability to control the light with your smart home until you manually turn the switch back on. So, Smart Switch for the win.
Plus, if you have guests or family over and you don’t want to give them access into your entire ecosystem to control their lights, then you are screwed. And some friends and family may not be familiar with the proper commands for voice control, only complicating things. Everyone knows how to use a light switch.
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I think switches are key as its makes things easy for guests. I think Wyze really needs to find a way to build a switch like the one RunLessWire built for Hue. There isn’t a lot of options on the market for wall switches that fit and look like a normal light switch but can control smart bulbs with either Zigbee, Z-Wave or Wifi since they need constant power. With Wyze building color bulbs I think its critical to offer a switch at the same time.
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This is the exact reasoning behind why I really want this product from Wyze and why I’m still hanging on to some Hue bulbs in my living room, dining room, and kitchen. Would lose to replace those and be fully Wyze.
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I’ll give you a few very specific reason for a smart switch as opposed to just a smart bulb, even if they did come out with a variety of smart bulb wattage options.
First, for those that have irregular lighting types. For example, we have under cabinet accent lighting that requires a very unique and small bulb, G4. This is likely too small to ever use wireless technology. There are also more than a dozen of these bulbs that make up the array under the cabinets. So that’s just more of an expense than most would want to have to buy and set up, when a switch could easily do the job.
Another reason is outdoor Christmas lighting or other outdoor applications. I have a switch that controls an outdoor outlet in the eaves. My existing Christmas lights are LED but they’re still just dumb lights. I could upgrade my whole lighting there, but I’m not really interested in taking on that expense while they’re still relatively new in their lifecycle and a smart switch will allow simple control with the existing outdoor lighting setup. I have a smart plug, but this wouldn’t work since the plug is not rated for outdoor applications.
Lastly, simple outdoor porch and driveway lighting. While bulbs could work (there are a variety of sizes and wattage types on those as well) the reality is those bulbs are exposed to the elements and just need to be replaced more frequently. It’s easier for the cost to be in the switch inside that will last forever and just keep buying dumb LED’s for my porch and driveway lighting.
I really don’t understand those that don’t understand the applications where a smart switch wins out from a usability and necessary smart home product.
Please WYZE, make this product already! I’d like to get rid of my WEMO and the other cheap Chinese brands. 2 and 3 gang options would also be incredible, but I’ll take what I can get. Thanks!
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