Wink device users must subscribe starting next week

Users of Wink’s smart home equipment will now have to take out a subscription if they want to continue using their devices. The company asks five dollars a month, otherwise the lamps, sensors and other devices can no longer be used.

The changes will take effect on May 13 of this year, the company writes. According to Wink, the company is currently struggling due to “long-term costs and recent economic events.” That is why from May 13 this year it will charge a monthly fee for all users. That’s 5 dollars. It is unknown how many euros it is.

The subscription is required to control Wink devices from the app via voice control or the api. Also, automations will be removed from the app if users don’t pay. If users later decide to take out a subscription, they can still access devices, settings and automations.

Wink says it won’t sell user data, and the subscription model is an alternative to that. The company apologizes that there is now “uncertainty about the reliability of users’ smarthomes.”