Wink Challenges Google, Apple to Rule Smart Home

Between Google's Nest Labs and Apple's new HomeKit automation suite, it's clear that the biggest tech companies want your home to be fully connected. Those two titans aren't the only ones in the smart home market, however, and Manhattan startup Quirky could make your household more seamlessly connected than ever with its upcoming Wink software.


Set to debut July 7, Wink is an Android and iOS app that provides a single interface for controlling any Wink-compatible devices in your home, such as locks, lights, garage doors, video cameras and sprinklers. The software stands out for its wide compatibility range, as you'll be able to use Wink with roughly 60 devices from brands like General Electric and Honeywell at the time of launch.


MORE: 13 Amazing Smart Home Gadgets

Despite coming from a small startup, Wink should see some serious pickup from retail shoppers. Appliance superstore Home Depot is Wink's official technology partner, and it will carry Wink-enabled products in almost all of its 2,000 U.S. locations.


Wink products will be labeled as either 'Wink App Ready' or 'Wink App Compatible.' Devices labeled as the former will work with Wink out of the box, while the latter will require a Wi-Fi enabled hardware hub that Wink will sell at Home Depot and Amazon for $79.


Quirky's Wink arrives at a time when top manufacturers are making smart home products a bigger priority than ever. Apple's upcoming HomeKit for iOS 8 will allow you to control groups of devices with voice support via Siri, and Google's Nest is growing its smart home resources with its recent acquisition of surveillance company Dropcam. Still, with lots of support from major device makers and retailers, Wink could very well end up being your go-to home automation app.


via The New York TimesFollow Mike Andronico @MikeAndronico and on Google+. Follow us @TomsGuide, on Facebook and onGoogle+.

Between Google's Nest Labs and Apple's new HomeKit automation suite, it's clear that the biggest tech companies want your home to be fully connected. Those two titans aren't the only ones in the smart home market, however, and Manhattan startup Quirky could make your household more seamlessly connected than ever with its upcoming Wink software.


MORE: 13 Amazing Smart Home Gadgets

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