Belkin WeMo Home Automation Switch for Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Reviews

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List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $49.88
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Update: 8/26/13: Thanks for all the positive comments.

... Mac Address (update): I did want to note I purchased a couple more of these from Amazon, and they still have the wrong MAC address (see below). I know for a while Belkin had a page up that showed some have the right one and some have the wrong one, and how to tell which is which. I can no longer find the page on their site, so I assumed it was fixed. It's not.

... IFTT (update): You can now access more than one device from the website.

... Extended WiFi network (update): If you extend your WiFi network by using multiple WiFi devices setup with the same NetworkID and password (if you do this, you'll know who you are). Belkin has fixed the problem that you can't properly access your devices externally.

... Device Firmware Update: Belkin has fixed alot of things with their most recent firmware update. From easier updates, cleaner UI for setting up events, properly saving WiFi information, and perhaps most importantly, the devices are rarely hanging. That said, they still do hang and need to be manually reset. It is nice to see Belkin continues to support the product actively.

... to all who appreciated the review, thanks for the kind words. ;)

Update: 12/16/12: There have been several firmware updates since the product first came out. The device seems to hang less often now than when I noted below... on the order of once every 2 to 3 weeks.

Original review:

I should note, I have several IP Power Switch boxes. I use them for things like controlling my network, network devices and stereo devices. These work off of wired ethernet, and have many plugs on the back that are addressable. I note this only to make clear I already understand some of the shortcomings of these types of devices.

OK, that said, these are really nice for the right application.

Power Throughput

First, since I searched high and low for this information (on Belkin's site everywhere) and could not find it... the device packaging indicates that it can handle 15A throughput. Amazon should really add that to the product description, since I consider it pretty important.

Setup (MAC address printed on the back is wrong)

There is a trick in the setup and it ended up wasting about an hour of time. That is, the MAC address written on the back of the device is off by one. I'm guessing that is because it probably has 2 wi-fi network cards in it. I'll note that in a second. But, if you have your wireless network setup to filter by MAC address, the address printed on the back is off by one... so add one to it for the wireless network you will need to "filter" (and for those not technical, remember it is HEX, so one more than 9 is A, and one more than F is like adding 10). you can use a hex calculator on the internet if that isn't enough. I won't bore you with how I figured this out... and they may change it at some later date, but that is the current situation.

Setup (Aside from the wrong MAC address)

It is (in my opinion) really nice. I think they have 2 wi-fi adapters in the device, because you first setup your iPhone (or other iOS device) to connect to the switch. I was assuming once you connected through the iOS app and entered your network information, you would loose connection and just have to assume everything worked, as it switched the single wi-fi adapter's settings and connected to your wifi network. But, conveniently, it stayed connected to my iPhone, helping diagnose the problem... thus I figured there were 2 wifi adapters. I think this is a really nice touch and will really help. Kind of nullified by putting the wrong adapter's MAC address on the back of the device but, we all make mistakes. The setup otherwise went smooth.

WAN Setup

Effortless I did nothing. No router settings, technical people will understand the weakness of this approach, but for everyone else, it is mindless... just worked.

IFTT (If This Then That)

Is a website not associated with Belkin other than that it supports their device. You should note, it only supports a single device currently. So, you can't get too complicated, but it does note it will support more than one at some time in the future. I really like this function. There is a fair amount of capability when a sensor is triggered (if you have the sensor device), or a switch was turned on/off. You can tell the IFTT website to do something, like send you and email notifying you of such. And conceivably significantly more at some point in the future.

How it Works

There is a nice iOS device that reports the state of the device (currently on or off, or in the case of the motion sensor sensing motion or not sensing motion). In the case of the power switch, you can change it's state from the iOS device or by pressing the "override" button on the device itself." In the case of the motion sensor, you can tell it what to do when motion is sensed... like power on a switch. It should be noted, the sensor and the power switch are two separate devices. The power switch that comes in the motion sensor pack, is the same power switch you can buy individually, and neither the sensor or the power switch are tied to each other specifically. That is to say, the motion sensor can control any belkin switch. It has a lot of potential.

How it Doesn't Work

It seems to have the same weaknesses that any wireless network device has... loosing connection after long periods. This may well be fixed in a firmware updated, but for me, right now, the power devices seem to crash after being plugged in for a couple of days. I had it on a nite light in our hall (just to test reliability). I setup a schedule to turn the light on at dusk and off at sunrise. Pretty simple, and something you'd want to work before heavily investing in them. It works for 2 or 3 days, then "hangs." Doesn't show up in the iOS app, and won't respond to the button on the device. After pressing the button, it would "reconnect" to the network after a minute or two, and be fine for another couple days. This didn't just happen once. Also note it is located in an area where the network has solid strength (current version Apple Time Capsule). Also, my wireless network is not setup directly to a cable modem... I have a router between, so the wireless network stays up 24x7, though the WAN may end up cycling itself. So, when it crashes, it saves it state on or off... just stops responding. That's really the problem, because you "really" want it to cycle itself if it can't reach a network. I should note, the motion sensor doesn't seem to hang, but I have to honestly say, it isn't as obvious a situation to test. But every time I tested it, no matter uptime, it was active and responded correctly. There is also a problem when you have multiple WiFi routers in used to extend your wireless network (and you want to access your devices externally). If this is your case, you should read their forums on the lack of a work-around.

So, I wouldn't use this for something mission critical... or said another way, something you need to work.

Weaknesses

It is big, I can't use the other plug in a typical 2 or 4 outlet setup when it is plugged in. There are work arounds, but you get the point. The reliability. I can't see using this for much home automation.

Strengths

It is ALOT cheaper than other similar products, and it has a lot of potential to do things because of the "programming" type if/then abilities it has. For example, my more expensive IP Switches have a function to "IF" it cannot reach a website (either immediately or after a certain number of time or tries), "THEN" cycle a power outlet... or many power outlets, or the device itself. This is a lifesaver for any technical person. I have it setup to watch google's DNS servers (8.8.8.8). If it can't reach that site for at least 5 minutes, then recycle the cable modem. If after 5 recycles of the cable modem, I have it recycle the cable modem and the network router (and switches). So, my network fixes itself. The belkin could do this with a little more smarts for only $50! That would be a virtual must have for anyone technical. I also think if they would add in wall light switches to the "system" I think you could get a lot further along. Perhaps multiple outlet devices, etc.

You can feel the potential.

Summary

If you have a non-critical device or system that you want to control: this is your device. If you want to put a sensor by your front and back door, and get an email when it triggers, then turn on a couple of lights (say in 2 minutes, then turn off in 5)... then this is your device. Just know, for now at least, it could hang and not do what you expect.

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drops wifi way too often, and needs re-setting up each time so this really is not reliable or useful for essental security lighting or something that has to be shut off or on remotely, a little expensive, great idea if it actually worked, perhaps they will come out with one that works reliably, we had both sensor and just switch but both lost connection every 3 hours to 2 days or so, belkin service and tech support no help, returned without problems at the apple store, bad belkin, good apple store

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I'm glad I only bought one of these to try out, I would be happier if I had bought none. I wanted to use it to shut off power to an irrigation system on my ranch (200 miles away from home) when my wifi camera indicates that my cistern is running dry. The problem is that anytime the WEMO drops the Internet connection it turns itself off. It would make much more sense for it just to maintain its current state (off or on) until the connection is restored or make it an option for the user to select the behavior. This thing drops the connection with maddening frequency even when plugged in just several feet from the router. The other issue is that at least half of the time the software can't find the switch (compared to my wifi camera which is always available). When it does work it functions as advertised so I am sure it is all installed correctly. The problem is that it is totally unreliable. I would not recommend it to a friend (or enemy, just too cruel). Very dissatisfied.

Honest reviews on Belkin WeMo Home Automation Switch for Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod

A great idea, horribly implemented. The switch drops off my Wi-Fi network 2 or 3 times a week. When this happens, you must repeat the setup process and it stops functioning until you do. Belkin tech support had no good answer, other than to change my Wi-Fi router. The other half-dozen devices in my home have no problem with my network, so I'm confident it's the piece of junk WeMo, not my router.

Think about it. The whole idea of this switch is so that you can control it when you're away from home. But if it consistently drops offline, what is it good for? That's right. Absolutely nothing. Save your money.

-Update April 25, 2013 --

After many (too many to count) firmware updates, the WeMo switch is finally reliable for me. It's a shame that Belkin stained their reputation by releasing such a poor product, but I give them credit for eventually fixing it.

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Configuration of this device requires switching your phone/tablet to a different wifi network, then switching back, manually, twice. The WeMo app (v1.1.2) can't seem to do this by itself; your instructions are to use the iOS Settings app to do it, then go back into the WeMo app. I wonder if this is because of Apple's app sandboxing rules, but whatever: this is not a product I could ever give to my family or friends and have them set it up.

If you are connecting to an Airport Extreme Base Station, make sure the "allow network to be extended" checkbox is ticked on your router. Note that this must be done with Airport Utility 5.6 on a Mac. Airport Utility 6.0 doesn't have that checkbox, and neither does the iOS version of Airport Utility. On newer AEBS devices I believe this is the default setting, but make sure this is done before you start configuring your WeMo devices.

The WeMo device's configuration wireless network is left on after the device is set up. Even though the device supports WPA2 security, the configuration network is an open network. Doesn't that mean someone else can change my device's set up from outside my house? The configuration network should at least be password-protected, Belkin. The password can be printed on a sticker on the device, as is typically done for self-installable wireless routers. I think you sell a few of those, yes?

But since the device's configuration network is left on, if the main WiFi network goes away (say, due to a router reboot) your phone/tablet will automatically switch to the device's configuration network, which is not connected to the Internet. The phone/tablet must be switched back to your normal WiFi network manually using the Settings app. To prevent this from happening again, use the phone/tablet's Settings app to cause iOS to forget the WeMo device configuration network.

All of these problems would be remedied by a simple design change. Instead of using a pair of WiFi networks, this device should use Bluetooth for initial configuration. No network switching would be needed, as an iOS device can pair with the WeMo while maintaining it's wireless network access. The range of Bluetooth networking would make it nearly impossible for someone else to reconfigure the device. Better yet, a physical switch on the WeMo could disable the configuration network after it is set up.

Other commenters report that they required a phone reset (or deleting and re-installing the app) to get this work. The WeMo app crashed on me multiple times, usually during the same tasks each time. There is no good reason the phone has to be reset, or the app reloaded. Reproducible crashes are completely avoidable. And when did it become OK for companies to ship a product that is unusable until you perform a firmware update?

After over an hour, I never got my WeMo devices working. In fact, I think one was bricked during the firmware update. I'm not going to spend another second on this. This product is clearly not ready for customers, but the dual WiFi hardware design means it can never be fixed to work in a reasonable and secure fashion. My WeMo devices will be returned to Amazon, or junked.