Tags
hub, hub upgrade, iris system, Lowe's iris, Lowes, Lowes.com
Between family life and starting with a new company. I’ve been trying to find time to work with Iris and recently just logged into the portal and found a few new things.
1) The following Pop up message when I logged in.
2) Firmware update for the Hub, so I had updated from 3.06.47 to 3.06.49
3) Additional products when you try to add more devices.
Even though these news updates where kind of nice to know that they are working on releasing new things, but it’s frustrating to understand why they send these messages out when the products aren’t even on lowes.com yet, like the LED lights.
Also the more scheduling magic rules that can be set for sunrise and sunset. Where it says “you might just use it to turn on your porch light for a couple of hours when it goes dark.” Well I have a GE dimmer and I still haven’t found where I can try this new feature. Does this exist?
Just for fun I’ve checked Lowe.com and found that they hiring for Technical Manager, Technical Director, and a Operations Project Manager for the Iris division. I really hope they find the help they need to fix some of these problems with releasing products and updates. They seem to really need the help.
I agree, it’s frustrating they tease these new products that will integrate with Iris and give no indication when or if any of it will actually be available.
As for the sunrise/sunset thing, I guess they expect us to find that on our own because it’s not documented anywhere. I found through watching the new videos of products they advertised but haven’t released that sunrise/sunset are in the time drop downs for a new event. So on your GE dimmer you’ll click “Add Event” and on the time you’ll see sunrise and sunset at the bottom of the hour drop down.
Thanks John! I checked one of the videos and I see it now. I had be on the home page > Controls > Select a group or device and would see the option for Schedule.
As for the Sunrise/Sunset option I need to click on the time drop down menu and you would see the option at the very bottom.
I kinda sympathize with them. I suspect that are managing the roll-out of new hardware in stages. It sounds like they send a (relatively) small set of the new devices to a select set of stores before making it available everywhere. But, since they don’t know who will go to one of these stores and buy one of the new devices, they have to make the software update available to everyone.
Yeah, they could do a much better job of communicating this, but that has its own pitfalls. So, suppose they say the new devices will be widely available in mid-October. But, they start to get reports of problems. Now, they could delay the public roll-out while they do more testing, but then they have to tell everyone that they’re having technical problems.
Hopefully, the fact that they’re hiring means the product is successful and growing and not a sign of problems.
Yea! I hope the hiring is a sign of growth.
The Yale locks that have been ‘coming soon’ for several months was a product I wanted for my home, but I opted for the Schlage and Kwikset door locks instead. I had no idea how long it would be before the product would hit the shelves.
They are very slow with updating their website with new products and the availability of their ‘coming soon’ products.
I have 2 key fobs for myself and a guest. When you arrive home, you can push the ‘home’ button twice and it will turn off the alarm and the second press will unlock predetermined doors. I didn’t know about this feature until I called customer support about another issue. My point is, they need to update their YouTube videos as features are added. And they are very slow in getting information to their customers.
Thanks for the tip on the 2nd press to unlock the doors. I totally agree with you that there needs to have more videos, but at this time I’m treating them as Easter eggs and hopefully it’s a nice surprise.
The sunrise/sunset is there…if you program a switch under the hour you can scroll all the way down. And I agree completely on the “new features”. Don’t release the info or videos until it is on the way to the stores. Or let us order online and have it shipped
Thanks Chris. I had figured it out.
I found a few new items on this video posted 2 days ago.
how about an actual ipad app? any chance of that in the future? 🙂
What you don’t like your buttons abnormally big? LOL
Thanks this looks like the same CES as other videos but it has some closer view on some of the products.
I was watching the youtube video for the Tilt Sensor and when they flip it over it shows the manufacturer. Looks like it is made by NYCE Control, part # Garage Door Sensor (NCZ-3014). Doesn’t look like the product is released yet (at least for generic Zigbee) so it might not just be Lowes but their partners why things are getting delayed to market.
http://nycecontrol.com/products/
Nice catch! Thanks.
At lowes today they also had the LED light on display but none in stock. Here is the part number for the LED, Sylvania Part # LED11BR30/DIM/iQ/827. Can’t seem to find it anywhere online though.
It will be cool to be able to selectively turn off my ceiling lights when watching a movie.
I agree too. I have recessed lighting at home and would give it the extra cool factor. 🙂
I found the Iris Sylvania LED light bulb on Lowes.com here: http://www.lowes.com/pd_484719-3-78960_0__?productId=50057367
It doesn’t say Iris on that page, but it does on the search results page (look for the one that says “Compatible with the Lowe’s Iris system”).
http://www.lowes.com/Search=sylvania+11-watt?newSearch=true&Ntt=sylvania+11-watt#!
If those links don’t work, try searching for “Sylvania 11-watt” or just put in the Item# 484719.
One more for you. Looks like the blinds controller is by Somfy. Again you can see this on the Youtube video as it shows Somfy on the display. Looking at there website it looks like they may have an option for existing blinds so hopefully that is supported.
http://www.somfysystems.com/en-us/home/our-products/product-solutions/draperies/drap.html
Lowes released an infomercial promoting the Iris system. They asked me to be part of the customer testimonials so I said yes. There’s mention to a garage door monitor with remote opening/closing. Maybe with the release of the infomercial, they will finally get some of their ‘coming soon’ products on the shelves.
I contacted Bali Blinds and asked them how to get the Iris enabled blinds. Here’s their response.
Thank you for contacting Springs Window Fashions.
We offer motorization on the following products:
· Cellular Shades
· Roman Shades
· Pleated Shades
· Solar Shades
· Roller Shades
· Horizontal Blinds in wood, aluminum, vinyl and acrylic (Please note that horizontal blinds are tilt only)
We offer a RTS Interface devise that works with the Iris Home Automation system available through Lowes.
The RTS Interface is a communication device that acts like a translator for the home automation system. The RTS Interface “talks” to the motor of the blind/shade and tells it to raise, lower, or stop as instructed by the home automation system.
The Interface devise that we have is compatible with the Iris system and is called ZRTS11
We attached the specifications of the ZRTS11 devise below. For additional pricing and information please visit,
http://www.baliblinds.com and click on “Where to Buy” or go to the following link: http://www.baliblinds.com/buy_bali/WhereToBuy.jsp
Please visit our web site listed below for additional Motorization option information and our new Motorization “How To” video series.
If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at the phone number below, or by replying to this email address.
Sincerely,
Sue
Customer Service
Motorization Support Team
Motorization.Support@springswindowfashions.com
Springs Window Fashions, LLC
8467 Route 405 Highway South
Montgomery, PA 17752-0500
Phone: 800-221-6352
visit http://www.baliblinds.comto view the Motorization “How To” video series – Consumer
Did you know that October is National Window Covering Safety Month?
Safety is always in style. Go Motorized or Cordless.
The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) urges parents and caregiver to “Make the Right Choice” and install only motorized or cordless window coverings in young children’s bedrooms and sleeping areas. For blinds, shades and draperies manufactured prior to 2001, the WCSC offers free retrofit kits. For more information about retro fit kits, call 1-800-506-4636 or visit http://www.baliblinds.com/safetyor http://www.graberblinds.com/safety