UPDATE: Recent SmartThings User Experience & Platform Performance

[bago (John)]

Could it be that SHM supports a subset of users whereas platform reliability affects everyone? Maybe that explains the priority.

[slagle (Tim Slagle)]

@Ian_84

I hear you, but according to the most recent status update, you guys are postponing efforts to fix SHM and focusing yet again on platform reliability. Is this not the case?

It’s all one thing. Fixes for SHM will help stability and fixes for stability will help SHM.

[bamarayne (Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)]

@Motley

I have filed a bug for the issue with getting “unexpected error” banner when trying to create a rule and you click the back arrow before you complete the rule setup. If you complete the rule setup without hitting back it seems to work. Confirmed and repeatable with RM and Button Controller on Samsung Galaxy S6 with Marshmallow update

That’s a carry over bug from the last version. It also affects other apps, not just RM.

[bamarayne (Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)]

@slagle

We are still working on it and we won’t stop working on it until we get it right

And I for one am extremely happy to see QA in action.

[beemer]

Two things:

1. SHM is the heart of the device for some but not users. I personally have no real need for SHM although I do tinker with it using only contacts and motion, nothing else.
2. In some municipalities, a registration fee is charged for a security system regardless of the type (DIY or professional) and all system must be registered. There are additional fees for false alarms and too many (usually more than 2) there can be fines so if someone is using SHM in these municipalities with the current problems, they could be in for a lot of legal headaches. Even without the fines issue, SHM false alarms is not going to help with good neighbour relations. It might be best to remove SHM until the problem is fixed or at the very least disconnect any audible sirens.

I’ve had ST for a year coming from the Winkening. It has been rather stable and relatively problem free until late February. It seems all of the hubs have problems some worse than others. I know some here have more than one brand of hub so that is always an option until ST settles.

[bamarayne (Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)]

@Ian_84

I have tried to be patient as possible but when they post a status update saying that they are working on fixing SHM specifically and then a few days later post another status update saying that they decided not to fix SHM right now and rather continue working on things that were supposed to have already been fixed is extremely frustrating.

I must of missed that update.

[Mr_Lucky (Bob)]

@Boston_B

I’m still getting an unexpected error has occurred with the new update

Ouch, that’s not good! Since I made that earlier post, I remembered that one of my Android devices is rooted, so I took a backup and then took the plunge with the new mobile app. It’s better (so far), but not 100%. I have a backup of the 2.1.0 apk if anyone wants to roll back.

[Ian_84 (Ian)]

On the box the ST came in and on their website it describes the reliable SHM alarm features as if they work all the time. It no where on the box said " security features are in beta, we recommend you by another device for security in the meantime." And that is my real frustration here. I know there are problems from time to time. I also know there are other issues going on other than my own. That doesn’t mean the feature in which I purchased the unit for getting sidelined should not upset me. I have patience for new tech but not when it is advertised for purchase as a fully working device. not to mention that other companies are going to be scared to get involved with ST if they see these problems continuing. I am surprised Scout Alarm isn’t pulling out yet

[Mr_Lucky (Bob)]

@Ian_84

according to the most recent status update, you guys are postponing efforts to fix SHM and focusing yet again on platform reliability.

If you’ve read my posts, you know I’m not an ST fanboy (LOL!). But fair is fair… the status page doesn’t say that at all:

we are delaying those releases in favor of deeper testing and other improvement measures targeted at platform reliability.

IOW, they are testing to ensure they get it right AND incorporating other improvements to achieve stability. It’s a platform update, so they want to get it done right and once. I don’t think anyone is happy about a delay, but if they are true to their word, then I think we should give them a chance.

Did I just say that?

[Ian_84 (Ian)]

I hear ya man. And you are right. I paraphrased incorrectly. But it was still close enough. I am trying to be patient with all this and have sent abundant supportive and encouraging emails to the ST support team. But I mean damn, I can only be patient for so long and have been for a long time now. And now there is another delay, at least in fixing my issue. Just frustrating. I feel like send Sam son bought them that they should loan them some of their engineers and hardware to knock this out real quick. I know it is never that easy but it should be when they slap there name on something. Imagine if your new galaxy S6 or S7 had these kinds of issues, people would throw a fit and it would be fixed so fast you would barely even know what happened. Anyway, enough ranting on my part and best of luck to the ST teams working on these issues.

[beemer]

True that ST is described in a positive light with no mention of current or potential problems. Last year this time I had a bricked Wink hub and with all the problems with that company, they lost some partners but they appear to be bouncing back. Now, we bought Nest thermostat before it was bought by Google who also bought Revolv. The owners of Revolv will have a nice paperweight on the 15th. Those folks are left scrabbling looking for a hub to control their devices. This is still new territory and promises are being made that shouldn’t be. When I bought my first ST hub it said not to use it as a security system. Then with Hub 2 and SHM, the security system was pushed but it really didn’t have all the kinks worked out. All of the DIY hubs have their problems and all of them are marketed to a higher level of performance than they currently achieve. If you want stable, dependable and reliable security system, then the home automation DIY systems aren’t it. If you want the fun and convenience factor in your home, then the DIY systems are great. Of the DIY systems, ST has the most potential once they get things fixed.

My ST system is a hobby with nothing critical on it and all devices that can be used with another hub. SHM was nice when it was working. Have you tried Smart Alarm smartapp? It might at least get you what you want until they get SHM fixed.

[bamarayne (Jason "The Enabler" as deemed so by @Smart)]

@Ian_84

I hear ya man. And you are right. I paraphrased incorrectly. But it was still close enough

That was only close if you’re talking intergalactic distances…

Sorry, I’m not playing fan boy, but come on, really?

[Shelley_Powers]

@slagle

Guys, personal attacks are not allowed on this community. Continued personal attacks will not be tolerated

He doesn’t need to reference “…and Ladies” because we ladies learned a long time ago that personal attacks only reflect poorly on the attacker.

But…it’s open season on devices.

[Shelley_Powers]

I disabled SHM and am using SmartLights because supposedly this is more reliable. Evidently not.

Last night I had a basement outlet spontaneously come on, and I turned it off. Seemingly that may have triggered one of the motion sensors. Doing so between certain hours is supposed to turn on a siren. It did not. I’m using Smart Lights, which is supposedly more robust.

Also had a deck door show as open at the same time, but wasn’t. Had to reset that physically this AM. Again, though, was supposed to trigger alarm, and didn’t.

This continuously occurring random failures are getting more frequent. And the last attempt to add security has failed, so I’m going to remove all of it.

SmartThings is getting perilously close to becoming a brick.

[Motley (Michael)]

Sorry, I don’t mean to sound rude or anything but what makes Smart Lighting a replacement for SHM? I could be missing something here but I thought Smart Lighting is for setting up rules to control your lights/switches and not a way to notify you of security issues. Is this another hack of some sort to work around SHM issues?

[Mr_Lucky (Bob)]

@Motley

what makes Smart Lighting a replacement for SHM?

I think that was probably a typo for Smart Alarm.

[Mbhforum (Marc)]

Just alone today, my Good Morning routine didnt’t run, neither did the mode change when I got home a little while ago. SMH then went wacky and my SImplisafe alarm started arming when I was home and it’s only 1pm ET today.

[nomisr]

I think i’m going to wait for Vera Plus or Secure to come out and go entirely local… people on the Vera Lite was complaining about 1 sec delay on the sensors and I’m here thinking… man that’s nothing compared to what we get!

[Shelley_Powers]

No, Smart Lighting. If motion is detected between 11pm and 5am, turn on lights and sirens. That’s notification.

And from what I can see, Smart Alarm and other third party apps are having same issues. No more third app workarounds. I’m trying to use ST tech.

[Shelley_Powers]

No, I wrote Smart Lighting, and I meant Smart Lighting.