YoLink Speaker Hub Comprehensive Guide
The YoLink Speaker Hub is a required component for YoLink smart home systems. It serves as the central hub, enabling YoLink devices to connect using LoRa (Long Range) technology, which provides communication over extended distances. This hub is specifically designed for YoLink devices.
Additionally, the YoLink hub connects to your home WiFi network to provide internet access, allowing for cloud based automations and remote control of your devices through the YoLink app or third party platforms like Alexa.
Without the hub, YoLink devices cannot communicate or access the internet.
Key Features of the YoLink Speaker Hub
Built-In Speaker for Custom Alerts
The Speaker Hub includes a built-in speaker that can:
- Play your own MP3 files for personalised alerts.
- Use text-to-speech functionality to deliver spoken notifications.
- Provide different tones or messages for various sensor conditions, such as water leaks, motion detection, or door openings.
The hub’s speaker is compact, making it ideal for providing alerts within a single room. It is not designed for producing extremely high volume, that would be required for e.g. a burglar alarm
WiFi Connectivity
The hub connects to your home network via 2.4GHz WiFi, enabling cloud and remote access to your YoLink smart home. The WiFi is not used to connect to YoLink smart devices. They connect using the LoRa (LOng RAnge) wireless technology.
Supports a Large Number of Devices
The YoLink Speaker Hub can support over 128 devices YoLink smart devices, making it ideal for both small and large smart home setups and commercial uses. More hubs can be added to increase the number of devices over 128 on your home network
Integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
The YoLink Speaker Hub integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, allowing you to control your YoLink devices using voice commands. This adds an extra layer of convenience to your smart home experience.
Connecting YoLink to Alexa or Google Home:
- Install and set up your YoLink devices in the YoLink app.
- Then, link your YoLink account with Alexa or Google Home by enabling the YoLink skill (Alexa) or adding YoLink via Google Assistant’s Home Control.
- This allows virtual access to YoLink sensors and devices through the respective voice assistant.
YoLink Hub Works With Home Assistant
YoLink smart home can be integrated to work with Home Assistant. This can easily be achieved by adding the YoLink integration in home assistant and then entering your YoLink user account details. Home Assistant will automatically detect all the smart devices attached to the YoLink Hub. The YoLink devices can then be used by Home Assistant.
Control D2D (Device-to-Device Communication)
YoLink’s Control D2D feature allows devices to communicate directly with each other without relying on the internet or cloud. For example, if the front door sensor is opened it can still trigger an audio alert on the Speak Hub.
Cloud Based Automations
While Control D2D handles local device interactions, most automations are cloud based. This allows for more complex routines and remote control. The hub itself doesn’t process normal automations locally.
No Subscription Fees
Unlike some smart home systems, YoLink does not charge subscription fees for using its cloud services, making it a cost effective choice.
Different Models for Different Regions
The YoLink Speaker Hub is available in models tailored for the UK/EU and the US, ensuring compatibility with regional standards. UK/EU speaker hubs model are YS1604-EC and US models are YS1604-UC
All devices that connect to the speaker hub must be in the same region. For Example, a US model door sensor will not connect with a UK/EU Speaker Hub.
LoRa Technology and Range
The YoLink Speaker Hub uses LoRa (Long Range) technology, which offers:
- A communication range of up to ¼ mile in open air.
- Reliable performance even in very large homes, gardens, or multi building properties.
LoRa range is considerably further than other smart wireless technologies, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee etc
Multiple Hubs for Enhanced Coverage
Unlike traditional smart home systems, YoLink allows you to use multiple hubs:
- Boost Range: Additional hubs can extend the range of your YoLink network, ensuring coverage for large areas
- Redundancy: If one hub fails, another can take over, providing a fail safe for critical systems.
Power and Setup
The YoLink Speaker Hub is powered via a Micro USB connection (5V, 1A). It can be plugged into:
- A USB 3.0 port. (e.g. on a broadband router or computer)
- A standard mains USB plug adapter.
Information on setting up can be found at YoLink Speaker Hub Initial Setup
Conclusion: YoLink Speaker Hub
A YoLink speaker hub is required if you are planning on using any of the YoLink smart home devices. The hub is able to reliably connect to smart home devices that are far away using LoRa wireless technology.
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