The first generation of XiaoK is the first similar product to push the smart socket to 99 yuan. When Xiaomi socket, IVYPLUG and other peers began to follow up on the cost performance, the second generation of XiaoK began to try plug-in.
The second generation of small K pulls out the "temperature, humidity, remote control, radio frequency" and other sensors that were originally solidified in the product into plug-ins. Users can choose to let small K get the corresponding functions, so that the socket can replace the remote control center, environmental monitor and other intelligent products. But what is its actual performance? Now let's have a look.
parameter
Size: 81*52*32mm
Input voltage: AC 90-265V 50/60Hz
Maximum current: 10A
Maximum power: 2200W
WIFI enhancement: 18dbm
Contact copper: phosphor copper, high polish nickel plating
Electricity statistics accuracy: 1%
Appearance and workmanship
Small K uses transparent plastic packaging, which is rare now, and only the product name is printed on the front and side.
At the bottom is the huge company name and address, as well as the QR code for software download.
Socket body, warranty and instructions. The packaging design is exquisite, and the cardboard on the top of the packaging box is actually part of the manual.
The length of the manual is a bit exaggerated, totaling 16 pages.
The surface of the socket is smooth black phenolic resin, with the highest fire rating of V0. Although beautiful, it is easy to scratch.
The bottom of the socket is made of frosted material and printed with current parameters. Up to 10A input is supported, and the maximum output of the USB port is only 5V/0.5A (the same as the USB port of the computer). The current is too small, so it is impractical to charge mobile phones.
The size of the socket is not exaggerated, and the power switch on the left side is equipped with an indicator light.
There are no keys or indicators on the right side. The jack board is one layer higher than the body , 3 night lights are hidden inside.
The top is a black and a white USB socket. The black one is the low-speed socket, the white one is the high-speed socket, and the function plug-in is inserted on it. They also support USB charging.
The 5-pin interface part has a child protection cover plate to prevent users from getting electric shock due to curiosity or cheap hands.
Function plug-in
Plug ins are also packaged in transparent plastic shells. There are four types of plug-ins launched, namely "remote control, induction, environment and RF".
The four plug-ins are packaged in different main colors.
Identical packaging style, with bar codes at the bottom.
There is a reminder of the socket position on the back of the package (different plug-ins need to be plugged into USB ports of different colors).
Inside the package is a thick foam sponge.
The plug-in body didn't print its own name. Once it is out of the packaging box, it is easy to "confuse fools".
The appearance of the infrared remote control plug-in is the simplest. The glossy black shell is also easy to scratch.
The seam of the plug-in is designed at the side.
The RF plug-in shell is frosted black, which is much easier to take care of.
There are transparent slots on both sides of the plug-in, and there are indicator lights inside.
There are many square grids on the surface of the environment plug-in, which are used to separate the external and internal temperature and humidity sensors. But it seems that it is easy to accumulate dust inside
The whole plug-in can be seen directly from a specific angle.
The top of the plug-in is a light sensor.
There is a "ball" sensor on the side of the sensing plug-in.
The sensor has a sensing angle of 120 degrees and a sensing range of 3-4 meters.
The connector of the plug-in uses plastic pieces of different colors, which can be used to distinguish which USB connector it should be inserted in.
There are slight size differences between plug-ins.
The effect of integration with the socket is relatively harmonious.
One socket intelligence and two plug-ins are combined. Of course, even if it does not fit, the smart socket itself can work normally.
The blue light will be on when the socket is turned on or connected.
The red light will be on when the power on switch of the socket is turned on.
The mezzanine design hides a small night light composed of three LEDs. This mezzanine is designed to allow the night light to shine directionally below, rather than on the front of the socket, so as to avoid "blinding" users.
The light color of the small night light is cold, but the brightness is sufficient and the directional direction is downward. This design is more intimate. It is worth mentioning that this light is UV biased in light color, and can even make paper towels and dust emit fluorescence.
Basic functions
The client quality of K also counts in the smart socket. There are iOS7 style animations and translucent ground glass effects everywhere.
Use the official "Little K Smart" app to input the on-site wifi password for the socket to connect (left figure). If there is no wifi, you can use the direct connection mode to connect (as shown in the right figure, the mobile phone is connected to the wifi of the socket, so this mode cannot control the socket remotely).
The client home page displays all plug-in and remote control entries with icons, and provides scene mode (this is an advanced function, which will be described in detail below).
The client also provides the "Device List" mode, but although it is different from the homepage, its function items are the same.
The basic smart socket functions include five items: "electricity statistics, wifi enhancement, charging protection, timing, and delay". Other small functions include power on switch and night light.
Electricity statistics, as the name implies, can see the electricity records of the whole year. In the current day mode, you can see the power of electrical appliances in different time periods and display the real-time power.
Wifi enhancement is actually to use the wireless module of the socket as a relay, and then send a wifi with a different name (the default password is the same as the initial wifi). In this way, a routed network can be divided into two wireless signals.
Timing and delay tasks are actually to control the switch of the socket through the alarm clock and the countdown.
The night light is the LED light hidden at the bottom of the socket, which can be controlled remotely or switched by a timed task. The matching plug-in can also be automatically opened when sensing someone nearby. But strangely, there is no night light switch on the socket
Plug in expansion function
The environment plug-in has three built-in sensors: light, temperature and humidity. Its function is to record and display the "light, temperature and humidity" data of the environment in real time.
The client will display all the "light, temperature and humidity" data within 24 hours in a line chart, but there is no historical data viewing function temporarily. Data maniacs deeply feel that the historical data recording function is necessary.
The sensor plug-in is a sensor for moving objects. When someone approaches at night, it will automatically light up the night light to illuminate the road. With the client, it can be used as a security plug-in, which can push object detection alerts to mobile phones, and count the number of object movements per hour.
The remote control plug-in is an infrared controller that supports TV, air conditioning DVD、 TV box and almost all other infrared control equipment. The user can match the button function through the remote control learning function (click the virtual remote control button and press the corresponding button of the original remote control to "learn").
After matching, you can even control the previously evaluated air cleaner . However, the current remote control database is not rich, and it is hoped that more models of automatic matching can be added later.
In addition to the six types of common remote control templates provided by the application, you can also use the buttons provided to "design" a remote control (right figure).
The function of the RF plug-in is also remote control, but this time 433MHz and 315MHz RF are used to control curtains, garage doors and some special remote controls. Here we also use the learning method to match the buttons.
The official also cooperates with smart key, magic bean routing and other manufacturers, and plans to launch Bluetooth and Zigbee plug-ins in the later stage so that other manufacturers can connect with the small K 2.
advanced function
The highest level of intelligent equipment is automation, and this advanced function is to approach the ultimate ideal of automation.
The client home page has a scenario task function that allows the device to perform different series of actions under different circumstances, just like writing a script (or IFTT, Tasker on the phone).
For example, when you click Action 1 when you drive home, the app will automatically open the garage door, lights, and TV; Select channel CCAV 5 for TV, and set the volume to medium; Turn on the water heater after 10 minutes, and turn off automatically after 10 minutes.
First, select the execution location (bedroom, living room, study, etc.), then select the module to perform the task, and select the function.
For the remote control plug-in, you can also record key actions (as shown in the left figure), which will be played automatically when executed. When executing, you can see the real-time progress of task execution (right figure).
In this way, TV and stereo can select a certain volume of a song; Let garage doors, curtains, etc. open to a certain extent, or even let them close again in how long. However, it is a pity that scene tasks are only delayed for the time being, and there is no option to execute them regularly. I hope they can be supplemented later.
Price and competitors
Although there are many smart sockets on the market, their functions are basically "remote operation, timing, delay, wifi relay, electricity statistics", etc. The price of the second generation of small K is 99 yuan, and the plug-ins are purchased separately. Each plug-in is 29 yuan. Here are the prices of some famous products:
BroadLink's SP2 is 179 yuan, and SP mini is 79 yuan (without wifi relay and power statistics functions)
Hongyan IHC8310B is 178 yuan (no wifi relay and electricity statistics, but supports 16A high current)
The price of IVYPlug has not been announced, and it should be 60-70 yuan according to the price on the crowdfunding page
The price of Xiaomi socket is also not announced, and the most rumored price is between 39-59 yuan
The second generation of small K is in the middle of the price range, much cheaper than the BroadLink SP series, but more expensive than new products such as IVYPlug and Xiaomi socket. However, the plug-in expansion function is unique for the time being, and the price of each plug-in is more conscientious.
summary
advantage:
Plug in expansion and night light function are the only one for the time being, and the plug-in supports hot plug
The price of 99 yuan is not expensive among similar products
Small size, good design
Its own wifi receiving capability and the transmitted relay wifi signal are good
The heating of socket body is smaller than that of other similar products (but still hotter than that of ordinary socket)
The software interface is cool and stable, with advanced scene mode functions
Disadvantages:
The polished shell is really easy to scratch, and the dust and fingerprints will be conspicuous.
The plug-in needs to be connected via a separate USB port (it cannot work after being inserted reversely), and it may not be found
There is no doubt that the second generation of small K is the strongest smart socket at present. The software and hardware functions are relatively complete, and the functional plug-ins are optional. After buying all the plug-ins, the infrared and RF controllers, environmental "temperature, humidity and light" sensing and mobile object monitoring functions are integrated in a disguised way, and the plug-ins themselves are inexpensive.
However, if you only need simple "remote operation, timing, delay, wifi relay, and electricity statistics" functions, Xiaomi and IVYPlug will be cost-effective choices. If you need functions such as "remote control, environment and mobile monitoring", the small K 2+independent plug-in will be a choice worth considering.
