Snippet: Wink Switches to Subscription Service on Short Notice ☇

Wink (via Jason Snell):

In order to provide for development and continued growth, we are transitioning to a $4.99 monthly subscription, starting on May 13, 2020. This fee is designed to be as modest as possible. Your support will enable us to continue providing you with the functionality that you’ve come to rely on, and focus on accelerating new integrations and app features. Should you choose not to sign up for a subscription you will no longer be able to access your Wink devices from the app, with voice control or through the API, and your automations will be disabled on May 13.

Years ago, I had a Wink setup and enjoyed the possibilities of it. Between a lack of updates, some partners going out of business, and ultimately HomeKit, the hub sat unused on a shelf and I eventually got rid of it.

I understand that services have costs to keep things running and 6+ years from a one-time $50 hub purchase is probably untenable, but the time frame is ridiculous. Even though I technically have an account, I didn’t receive any sort of communication and wouldn’t have known about this other than the post on Six Colors. Most things like this usually give customers a few months to prepare. In this case, it feels like a shakedown.