In 2015, the smart socket market continued to be hot in 2014 and continued to thrive. Xiaok smart socket has launched the third generation product on the basis of the previous two generations of hot sales. Hema smart socket should not be underestimated, and Xiaomi socket is also used to Xiaomi's high cost performance ratio, which is also booming, The product I want to experience today is the IVYLINK brand IVYPlug smart socket launched by Shenzhen Landin Technology Co., Ltd.
1、 Initial experience of socket
IVYLINK brand is launched by Shenzhen Landin Technology Co., Ltd., which focuses on the research and development of smart home and smart wearable devices. After watching its website, we found that the main products at present are smart sockets and smart couple rings, On the back of the outer package of the smart socket, there are detailed technical parameters of the smart socket and brief product instructions. In this way, it can be easily operated without looking at the manual. The QR code on the top corresponds to the APP download address of the smart socket. At the same time, the product ID QR code is printed on the package box, The function of binding socket can be easily realized by scanning the two-dimensional code.
For the specific technical parameters of the smart socket, here is an official picture to illustrate:
Opening the outer package of the smart socket still requires some tricks. Because the smart socket is designed as a snap on design and is relatively compact, it needs a certain amount of strength to open it. When you open it, you can see the simple manual of the smart socket. How to use the product and how to after-sales are all included in this small manual.
The placement of the smart socket itself is quite particular. The plastic packaging box made by a special opening mold is used. At the same time, the upper and lower half holes that are easy to take out the socket are carefully designed, which provides good protection for the transportation of the smart socket.
After taking out the smart socket, you can clearly see the shape and structure of the plastic packaging. The customized plastic packaging perfectly matches the smart socket.
The brand logo of the product is located in the middle of the top of the smart socket. This socket is a 10A standard model. The standard three port and two port five port mode is adopted, which is convenient for users to use three and two bit plugs. At the same time, this structure also ensures the small size of the smart socket. The black shell on the top contains LED indicators for displaying the status of the smart socket.
The side of the smart socket is printed with some technical parameters of the socket, basic model and product ID QR code information, which is convenient to scan the product ID for product correlation when the outer packaging is lost.
The back of the smart socket is a standard three position 10A plug. This product is mainly used to meet the general needs. If you need to use water heaters, air conditioners and other high-power equipment, it is recommended to purchase the 16A model to meet the needs of safe electricity use.
The smart socket has also made a very detailed design for the protection of the jack. It can be clearly seen that the five holes are equipped with protective shielding plates, which can effectively prevent children or themselves from accidentally getting electric shock when using them.
Don't worry about how to solve the problem of the smart socket. The manufacturer has repeatedly considered this kind of situation. On the side with information, a Reset button is provided, which can easily reset the smart socket.
After the smart socket is powered on, the red LED indicator lights up after the system is started, indicating that the socket is powered on at this time. After setting the smart socket using the mobile phone APP, the green LED of the smart socket will automatically light up.
2、 APP experience
By scanning the QR code on the package box, you can access the connection of APP download. Like most Android APPs, it is also a pile of permission calls.
When you enter the APP for the first time, you will be prompted how to use the APP, including account registration. You need to use your mobile phone number or email address to register, how to scan the QR code to connect to the smart socket, and how to bind the WiFi account password to the smart socket.
After entering, you need to register an account first. Of course, if you have an existing account, you can log in directly. The specific registration process will not be repeated. You can complete it step by step according to the prompts. After entering, there is a blank display device list.
At the same time, use the "+" icon below to open the camera to scan the QR code, connect the socket, and automatically enter the page of binding the WiFi SSID and password connected to the mobile phone at this time after the connection. Enter your WiFi password to start connecting.
After the WiFi is set successfully, the device list can normally display the socket list. Click "..." on the top right corner of the APP to see some basic information. Share processing, security alerts, user help and contact the manufacturer, APP version, and logout are also displayed here.
It can be clearly seen that the maximum current of this smart socket is 10A, and the maximum function is 2.2Kw. The user's help details how to bind the socket, share authorization, and how to unbind the socket.
How to bind sockets and share detailed instructions on authorization and unbinding. It is quite clear.
There is relatively clear information in the contact with the manufacturer, but the color here is slightly dim. It is estimated that the manufacturer does not like too much contact with customers, which also indicates that the manufacturer still has some confidence in the products.
Long press the socket to delete the device, and click the socket icon to access the specific functions of the socket. When entering for the first time, the first prompt is the firmware upgrade. The firmware upgrade has just been received, indicating that the manufacturer should attach great importance to the firmware upgrade.
Download and automatically complete the upgrade. During this process, APP cannot perform other operations. After the upgrade is completed, enter the system, and you can see the current voltage and power. Real time image display is displayed, and the button to close and open the socket is directly above.
Smart socket still attaches great importance to the statistics of electricity consumption. You can see the statistics of electricity consumption and the electricity charge required by this socket. It has perfect metering function.
The reservation function of the socket can easily set the opening and closing time of the socket, which can be set repeatedly or used once.
After setting, it will be displayed in the reservation list of the socket and executed according to the design. Plug in the mobile phone charger, and you can see that the current is 30mA, the power is 3.15w, and the power is the calculated active power, that is, the part we usually need to pay.
Since the charging standard is different in each place, the smart socket also provides the electricity charge setting. There is also a corresponding page for the settings of the socket itself, which is mainly used to set the alias of the socket. At the same time, you can also set the icon of the socket, and you can choose to take photos or choose pictures. The function of sharing the device can share the socket with your relatives for operation.
For the display socket of consumption, two methods are provided: curve diagram and plan diagram.
At the same time, the corresponding records of day, week, month and year are provided, so that you can clearly view your electricity charges and usage of electricity on the smart socket.
3、 Summary
After a week's trial, the IVYPlug smart socket is relatively stable, and its small size is also convenient for daily use and carrying, The APP is also relatively stable. The reset function of the socket is simple and easy to use. At the same time, it provides a complete query function to facilitate daily query of your own electricity and electricity usage. At the same time, it can display the current and power in real time, adding some luster to the function of the socket. The sharing function can easily add relatives to it, Achieve the goal that family members can check the use of sockets at any time. However, the IVYPlug smart socket also needs further function enhancement to meet the user's needs. First, let's talk about the problems in use:
1. Scan the product ID, and the two-dimensional code of the product ID of the socket shell scanned for many times cannot be bound, but the two-dimensional code on the scanning box can be easily bound, which may be related to the location of the two-dimensional code;
2. Firmware cannot be successfully upgraded using China Mobile optical broadband. After repeated tests, the upgrade fails when the upgrade reaches 90%. During the upgrade, the reset button was also used, and the firmware upgrade could not be completed normally. However, if the company uses Tietong broadband, it can easily upgrade. It is estimated that the firmware server is not very friendly to China Mobile's line support.
Suggestions or expectations for products:
1. Do not simply use WiFi as the control connection of the smart socket, but expand its wireless relay function through firmware to realize the function of WiFi signal amplification in the room;
2. The QR code ID of the socket should be placed on the front of the product as far as possible, but currently it is placed on the side. It is troublesome to scan, and in some cases it is difficult to scan. This is especially important for users who discard the outer packaging after receiving the product and starting to use;
3. Since it is possible to set the electricity charge, whether to consider setting the gradient electricity charge? It may be better for 10A products. Once the air conditioner or electric water heater is used, it is likely to exceed the power consumption of the first gradient, while the current electricity charge design method is slightly inadequate;
4. As a 10A smart socket, I think it is necessary to have one or two USB outlets to meet the charging needs of daily digital equipment, while 16A is mainly used for air conditioners and electric water heaters;
5. Add the night light function. One of the functions used by the smart socket is the night light function. According to the size of the current IVYPlug smart socket, it should be feasible to add the night light
