The SmartThings Blog

Summer is heating up on both coasts and when the temperature rises, so does energy consumption across the US. Flex Connect, a demand response program powered by SmartThings Energy, can help ease the load. California and New York residents can now enroll in the program through SmartThings Energy and leverage their connected devices to participate. The program enhances our smart home solutions by giving users more options to conserve energy and promote eco-friendly living in their communities. Let’s take a closer look at what’s possible with SmartThings Energy Flex Connect.  Expanded Energy Management Solutions - If you live in New York and California you can now leverage your supported devices (e.g., thermostats, washer and dryers, refrigerators, etc.) in SmartThings Energy, a comprehensive energy management solution in the SmartThings app, to optimize your energy usage at times of peak energy demand. This automates your devices to participate in an event when a Demand Response (DR) signal is received, for example, when electricity demand surges due to extreme weather. Reduced demand on the energy grid helps balance the supply and demand of energy and stabilize the grid. Flexibility, Choice, and Control - With the flexibility to automate a large variety of loads such as plugs, AC, lights, TVs, and appliances in Flex Connect, you have even greater choice and control over your energy management. Plus, you can adjust your participation selections at any time. For example, you can schedule your dishwasher or washing machine to operate only during periods of lower demand. With these automation capabilities, you can effortlessly support the grid, without lifting a finger or sacrificing your comfort.. Save Energy and Earn Rewards - By taking advantage of the Flex Connect program, your devices will automatically participate in energy events, modestly adjusting your energy usage when it matters most. You’ll get energy usage data and alerts to help you scout out potential areas to save energy, and can earn Samsung Rewards for your participation.  Check Your Eligibility for Flex Connect and Enroll If you haven’t already, download the SmartThings app and activate SmartThings Energy in the Life tab to explore all that it offers! When you navigate to SmartThings Energy and click on Activity, you will see Flex Connect listed on the screen. Click on Flex Connect and scroll down to click Sign Up. If you have not provided your zip code in Settings, you’ll be prompted to provide it. If your address is eligible for Flex Connect, follow the prompt to get connected to the service. Once you have signed up, you can select the devices you want to participate. It’s quick and easy! More About SmartThings Energy SmartThings Energy boasts features that allow you to check your home energy use from anywhere and reduce your carbon footprint (and energy bills(!). You can check the energy usage of your paired devices and learn how to optimize their usage with automation features and energy-saving tips. If you forget to turn off a light when you leave for work, for example, you’ll be notified and can turn it off right from the app. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Energy Mode is an innovative feature within SmartThings Energy that can save you up to 70% on energy consumption for top Samsung products (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) and cycles by learning your routines and adjusting your devices accordingly. AI Energy Mode also uses machine learning to recognize when your energy use exceeds the targets you've set in SmartThings Energy, notifying you and explaining why that happened. “At Samsung, we are all about helping users obtain greater flexibility and convenience with their smart home devices,” said Chanwoo Park, EVP, Samsung Electronics. “SmartThings Energy empowers our users with tools and information to monitor their energy consumption and save money, and launching Flex Connect is a crucial step in creating a greener and smarter world. Customers can not only conserve energy with Flex Connect, but also earn Samsung Rewards for participating.”   Are you ready to join us in building a more sustainable future right from your smart home? Click on the link to see if you’re eligible and Enroll in Flex Connect today.  Android and iOS users click here You can read more about the Flex Connect program here.

SmartThings and Samsung believe devices should work together no matter the brand, and that’s where Matter comes into play. Matter ensures your smart home devices speak to each other, offering interoperability between devices and more flexibility.  With SmartThings, our ecosystem of innovative, consumer-friendly partners like AiDot, and the power of Matter, connecting compatible devices and systems to create a seamlessly integrated home is easier than flipping a light switch. AiDot, a leader in the IoT industry and trusted by millions of users, is a smart home platform that connects devices across brands and ecosystems. They offer a wide range of smart devices, including Matter-certified plugs, bulbs, switches, and more. Now, users can control AiDot’s products conveniently with the SmartThings app and make their smart home unified, more efficient, and fun. In our latest LinkedIn Q&A, we chatted with AiDot to discuss our partnership, how their products work with SmartThings, Matter, and more.  Browse the highlights below or keep reading for the full conversation.  The Highlights SmartThings: Since SmartThings and Matter devices from AiDot are compatible with one another, can you explain how to connect AiDot Matter products in the SmartThings app.  AiDot: Matter streamlines the device connection process for users. Before adding a device, ensure you have a supported Matter Controller. If a Matter device is in pairing mode, you may receive a notification in the SmartThings app, prompting you to begin the onboarding process. Alternatively, you can manually add an AiDot Matter device by opening the SmartThings app, selecting Add Device, and following the prompts to scan the barcode or enter the setup code. Once connected, you can customize settings such as the hub, room, and network, ensuring a seamless integration into your smart home ecosystem.  Connecting AiDot Matter products to SmartThings is super straightforward.  SmartThings: For someone who is new to the smart home space, what’s the first thing you would tell them about AiDot and Matter. AiDot: That's a tough question; there are so many great things about it! To sum it up, AiDot Matter delivers a number of benefits to smart home users including simple setup, unified device management, flexibility of hubs and voice assistants, and an open ecosystem that allows device selection based on features and pricing rather than compatibility. These advantages combine to create a seamless and consumer-friendly smart home experience with enhanced interoperability.  SmartThings: For those looking to explore your products for the first time, what would you recommend as the best use for AiDot in their daily routines? AiDot: We’re glad you asked! One of our favorite things is the endless unique automations that we hear our users have created. A great one that comes to mind is using a security camera’s motion detection as a trigger, and having that make lights inside and outside the home red to scare away intruders and warn the homeowner someone is in their yard.  A similar effect can be achieved with our water leak detectors, so in addition to a phone notification and an audible alarm, the lights in a room will turn blue if a leak has occurred. These particular ideas came from a hearing-impaired user within our community, and we just loved the ingenuity of them.  Our full conversation with AiDot SmartThings: Hey, AiDot Smart Home! Thank you for joining us for a Q&A today. First up, for those who are new to your brand, what is AiDot?  AiDot: Hey, SmartThings! Thanks for having us and a great first question. AiDot is a smart home platform that connects devices across brands and ecosystems. We also use Matter, a connectivity standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance), but we know SmartThings knows all about the power of Matter. SmartThings: We do! Matter is an important component of our ecosystem.  AiDot: Ours too! For anyone new to Matter, it establishes a cohesive smart home ecosystem, enabling devices from various manufacturers to operate seamlessly together, irrespective of their brand or communication protocol. Learn more about it at aidot.com/matter.  Can you help explain SmartThings to our followers who might not be familiar with the platform?  SmartThings: Of course! SmartThings is Samsung's smart home platform that enables users to connect, control, and automate a wide range of compatible devices through a unified mobile app. We are a comprehensive smart home solution, allowing connection and control of products from outside brands, too! For example, we are compatible with Matter devices from AiDot.  Since SmartThings and Matter devices from AiDot are compatible with one another, can you explain how to connect AiDot Matter products in the SmartThings app.  AiDot: Matter streamlines the device connection process for users. Before adding a device, ensure you have a supported Matter Controller. If a Matter device is in pairing mode, you may receive a notification in the SmartThings app, prompting you to begin the onboarding process. Alternatively, you can manually add an AiDot Matter device by opening the SmartThings app, selecting Add Device, and following the prompts to scan the barcode or enter the setup code. Once connected, you can customize settings such as the hub, room, and network, ensuring a seamless integration into your smart home ecosystem.  Connecting AiDot Matter products to SmartThings is super straightforward.  SmartThings: And, to make the process as simple as possible, you can #DoTheSmartThings and use the SmartThings app to scan the QR code on the Matter products. This process seamlessly integrates the AiDot Matter devices into the SmartThings ecosystem without any complicated setup. For users who are new to Matter, how can they identify a Matter product? AiDot: Identifying Matter products is easy! Just look for the official Matter logo on the product, its packaging, and its marketing materials. If it’s there, it’s Matter.  If an AiDot Matter user hasn’t set up their SmartThings Station yet, how can they get up and running? SmartThings: It’s simple to get started and the SmartThings Station offers so much for any smart home. After downloading the app, navigate to the Devices tab, tap Add (+), then By brand > Samsung > Smart Home Hub. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your hub to your Wi-Fi network. Once set up, use the app to add and configure your other smart home devices (and your AiDot Matter devices, too!)  Speaking of getting set up, can you explain how users can set up their AiDot Matter Smart Home? AiDot: Establishing a Matter-enabled smart home couldn’t be simpler. Begin by selecting Matter-compatible devices from leading brands such as Samsung, SmartThings, AiDot, and many more. The setup process is simple, as Matter provides easy-to-follow instructions to connect devices to your home network. Download the app for your smart home ecosystem of choice. Then simply add your Matter devices to the app, where they will seamlessly integrate into your smart home setup.  Come to think of it, we should probably talk about Matter Controllers. SmartThings: Yes! A Matter Controller is a multipurpose hub incorporated into other devices. AiDot: Exactly! It can be baked into other devices, removing the need for a dedicated single-purpose hub device. Some devices you already have may be, or have the capability to become, a Matter Controller. Examples include smart speakers, Wi-Fi routers, digital displays, home assistant devices, entertainment devices and more. Even the SmartThings wireless phone charger can serve as a Matter Controller. You may even see this technology introduced to the likes of fridges and TVs. And if you happen to have multiple Matter Controllers in your home, that will only serve to make your network even more powerful as they’ll communicate and work together rather than competing to control your smart home devices. SmartThings It’s great to see how much AiDot has incorporated Matter into its products. For someone who is new to the smart home space, what’s the first thing you would tell them about AiDot and Matter. AiDot: That's a tough question; there are so many great things about it! To sum it up, AiDot Matter delivers a number of benefits to smart home users including simple setup, unified device management, flexibility of hubs and voice assistants, and an open ecosystem that allows device selection based on features and pricing rather than compatibility. These advantages combine to create a seamless and consumer-friendly smart home experience with enhanced interoperability.  Since you mentioned automations, what kind of routines can SmartThings help users create? SmartThings: Dare we say… all of them? With the SmartThings app, you can automate just about anything. Whether it’s controlling your home's lighting, monitoring your pets, or setting up wellness routines, just like AiDot and Matter, we have you covered.  For those looking to explore your products for the first time, what would you recommend as the best use for AiDot in their daily routines? AiDot: We’re glad you asked! One of our favorite things is the endless unique automations that we hear our users have created. A great one that comes to mind is using a security camera’s motion detection as a trigger and having that make lights inside and outside the home red to scare away intruders and warn the homeowner someone is in their yard.  A similar effect can be achieved with our water leak detectors, so in addition to a phone notification and an audible alarm, the lights in a room will turn blue if a leak has occurred. These particular ideas came from a hearing-impaired user within our community, and we just loved the ingenuity of them.  Of course, these are just a few examples of the many custom solutions users can create with the AiDot app and AiDot products, and we encourage new users to give it a try themselves. SmartThings: Well, that was very informative! Thank you to our partners at AiDot Smart Home for chatting with us today! It was great learning about AiDot and how you're using Matter-enabled devices to enhance the smart home experience. Want to know more? #DoTheSmartThings and send us a message! AiDot: Thank you for having us SmartThings! 

Smart lighting has redefined how we interact with and manage our homes, offering unparalleled convenience and control. We can automate lights to turn on only when someone is in the room and turn them off from our phones, no matter where we are. With smart lighting solutions from companies like Leviton, we can create safer and sustainable homes. For over 115 years, Leviton has developed thoughtful electrical, lighting, energy management, and more solutions to light, power, and connect everyday spaces. Now, users can control Leviton’s smart lighting devices conveniently and sustainably with SmartThings Energy, a comprehensive energy management solution in the SmartThings app. In our latest LinkedIn Q&A, we chatted with Leviton to discuss our partnership, how their products work with SmartThings, and more. Browse the highlights below or keep reading for the full conversation.  The Highlights  SmartThings: Which Leviton products work with SmartThings? Leviton: Leviton has Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee devices that work with SmartThings, with more products coming in the future! Users can explore our range of dimmers, light switches, outlets, smart plugs, and more on the SmartThings website!  SmartThings: How does Leviton work with SmartThings and our other partners to improve the smart home experience?  Leviton: Leviton seamlessly integrates with SmartThings and its app, offering users total control. By linking Leviton’s Decora Smart Z-Wave or Wi-Fi lighting controls to the SmartThings Hub, users can easily monitor and control their homes remotely via the SmartThings app. Plus, with SmartThings compatible voice assistants, users can manage Leviton smart lighting and other devices with simple voice commands, enhancing their home automation experience effortlessly. SmartThings: Knowing sustainability is a key pillar at Leviton, we're eager to hear about your efforts! How do you see smart lighting control boosting energy efficiency and sustainability today? Leviton: At Leviton, we're dedicated to sustainability and helping our customers do the same. Our products promote sustainability in buildings, factories, and homes, and with our CN2030 program, we're committing to Carbon Neutrality by 2030, reducing our environmental impact and building a greener future. Over the past five years alone, our residential dimmers have contributed to saving an impressive 52 billion watts of energy annually, resulting in a reduction of 44 million pounds of CO2e per year. Additionally, our innovative Sustainably Smart packs are making strides in reducing job site waste by providing environmentally friendly alternatives to individually packaged jacks. By eliminating over 2 million single-use polybags each year, we're proud to play a part in creating a greener future. But wait, there's more! Click the link below to discover even more exciting initiatives: https://leviton.com/company/sustainability  SmartThings: Since you bring up Leviton’s auto-shutoff features, that reminds us! With the days getting longer and summer on its way, we know a lot of people are going to be out later and enjoying outdoor spaces more. Which Leviton products are must-haves for the summer season? Leviton: All of them, for sure, but if we had to choose, definitely our Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug that has superior weather resistance and a built-in light sensor to automatically turn lights on during evening hours, perfect for outdoor lighting such as string lights to enjoy those summer evenings in your backyard. With the aid of SmartThings, essentials like our switches, dimmers, and new outdoor smart plug empower users to remotely monitor and control their lights from anywhere. Our full conversation with Leviton SmartThings: Hey Leviton! We have some questions we’ve been dying to ask you. First up, for those who are new to your brand, what is Leviton?  Leviton: Hey SmartThings! Thanks for having us. At Leviton, we are pioneers in creating innovative solutions that revolutionize how we illuminate, power, and connect everyday spaces. From electrical wiring solutions to lighting, data networks, and energy management, our comprehensive range of products caters to the diverse needs of our customers! SmartThings: Thanks for the intro! We’re thrilled to have you as a part of the SmartThings ecosystem. Which Leviton products work with SmartThings? Leviton: Leviton has Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee devices that work with SmartThings, with more products coming in the future! Users can explore our range of dimmers, light switches, outlets, smart plugs, and more on the SmartThings website!  On that note, can you tell us a little bit more about how SmartThings helps create a fully integrated smart home experience? SmartThings: Great question! For us, it’s all about our amazing partners, like Leviton, who help to complete the experience, by allowing users to connect to whatever smart products they need to seamlessly move through their day. Thanks to Matter and our diverse array of partners across various sectors, collaborating seamlessly through our app, we achieve comprehensive automation of every facet of smart home living. Speaking of partnerships, how does Leviton work with SmartThings and our other partners to improve the smart home experience?  Leviton: Fantastic question, SmartThings! Leviton seamlessly integrates with SmartThings and its app, offering users total control. By linking Leviton’s Decora Smart Z-Wave or Wi-Fi lighting controls to the SmartThings Hub, users can easily monitor and control their homes remotely via the SmartThings app. Plus, with SmartThings compatible voice assistants, users can manage Leviton smart lighting and other devices with simple voice commands, enhancing their home automation experience effortlessly. SmartThings: That’s great to hear! Next, let’s talk about sustainability, as it is Earth Month and we’re focusing on our SmartThings Energy initiative. Knowing sustainability is a key pillar at Leviton, we're eager to hear about your efforts! How do you see smart lighting control boosting energy efficiency and sustainability today? Leviton: At Leviton, we're dedicated to sustainability and helping our customers do the same. Our products promote sustainability in buildings, factories, and homes, and with our CN2030 program, we're committing to Carbon Neutrality by 2030, reducing our environmental impact and building a greener future. Over the past five years alone, our residential dimmers have contributed to saving an impressive 52 billion watts of energy annually, resulting in a reduction of 44 million pounds of CO2e per year. Additionally, our innovative Sustainably Smart packs are making strides in reducing job site waste by providing environmentally friendly alternatives to individually packaged jacks. By eliminating over 2 million single-use polybags each year, we're proud to play a part in creating a greener future. But wait, there's more! Click the link to discover even more exciting initiatives: https://leviton.com/company/sustainability  SmartThings: Wow, that’s impressive! Leviton certainly has an incredible history. Since its start, how would you say the company has evolved to meet the demands of connected living? Leviton: With 118 years of success, we stay connected to our customers and adapt to the ever-evolving smart home scene. Anticipating needs, we deliver innovative smart lighting solutions for every scenario. Safety-conscious users find peace of mind by controlling lights through scheduling or even motion detection, ensuring they always return to a well-lit home. Plus, our lighting controls include thoughtful features such as auto-shutoff capability for energy-conscious users, so they never have to worry about leaving lights on. It's a win-win!  SmartThings: Since you bring up Leviton’s auto-shutoff features, that reminds us! With the days getting longer and summer on its way, we know a lot of people are going to be out later and enjoying outdoor spaces more. Which Leviton products are must-haves for the summer season? Leviton: All of them, for sure, but if we had to choose, definitely our Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug that has superior weather resistance and a built-in light sensor to automatically turn lights on during evening hours, perfect for outdoor lighting such as string lights to enjoy those summer evenings in your backyard. With the aid of SmartThings, essentials like our switches, dimmers, and new outdoor smart plug empower users to remotely monitor and control their lights from anywhere. SmartThings: Love that. So smart plugs, switches, and dimmers - got it! Speaking of your products, anything new that we should keep an eye out for? Leviton: We’re glad you asked! We’ve just introduced our new Decora Smart Z-Wave 800-Series Switch and Dimmer, a great solution for SmartThings customers looking for Z-Wave lighting controls. Our new devices feature the latest in Z-Wave technology for security and interoperability including SmartStart enrollment, which makes it easier than ever to enroll. SmartThings: A huge thank you to our partners at Leviton for chatting with us today for the SmartThings Live Chat! We enjoyed learning all how Leviton is enhancing the world of smart devices, doing so sustainably, and more than anything, how wonderfully our partnership works together! Want to know more? #DoTheSmartThings and send us a message! Leviton: Thank you for having us SmartThings!  To learn more about our partners visit partners.smartthings.com/supported-devices. Interested in integrating your devices with SmartThings? Visit developer.smartthings.com. 

As Earth Month continues, SmartThings Energy and our Works with SmartThings certified partners will help keep your smart home sustainable and efficient. People today are more deliberate in their energy use, but we may not always know how to be more efficient with our everyday devices and appliances, like heating and lighting.  Are you looking to build better energy routines but not sure where to start? First, activate SmartThings Energy in the SmartThings app. This service tells you which devices take up the most energy, offers tips to save energy with (AI) Energy Mode, and assists in automating your routines for maximum efficiency. Next, read through our tips to build green routines you can start now. Windows & Shades Windows contribute 25%–30% of the energy consumed for heating and cooling in residential spaces due to heat gain and heat loss. With the inconsistent weather this time of year, you may be fiddling with your windows and AC more often and may forget the status of every window.  Fortunately, Aqara’s Door and Window Sensor will alert you if a window is left open, so you remember to close it before you leave the house. Their smart curtain controllers save you energy, too. Natural light from the sun may warm up your home, leading you to turn up the AC. Aqara’s curtain controllers allow you to easily open and close the curtains from wherever you are, using the SmartThings app. Smart Plugs Forget to unplug the coffee maker before work? With Eve smart plugs and power meters, you never have to worry about wasted energy again. Use SmartThings to control these Matter-compatible devices from anywhere, track their energy consumption, and even set timers for them to optimize energy usage. By monitoring individual devices' power usage and monthly costs, you can make informed decisions to lower utility bills. For example, create a routine that triggers plugged-in appliances to switch on and off based on whether someone is coming or leaving home.  Smart plugs also reduce “phantom power” - the electricity devices drain even when you think they’re off. Dimmers & Switches If you forget to turn off a light before leaving a room or going on vacation, turn it off from wherever you are in the SmartThings app, thanks to TP-Link | Kasa Smart light switches and dimmers.  Create a routine to automatically toggle a switch upon detecting someone entering or leaving a room and activate the switch when it detects motion. SmartThings and our innovative partners will help reduce your carbon footprint, cut down on electricity bills, and make your smart home as comfortable and kind to the planet as possible.  This Earth Month, do #DoTheSmartThings and download the SmartThings app in the Google Play or Apple Store to activate SmartThings Energy and build a greener, more sustainable home.

It’s Earth Month, which means now is the best time to activate a sustainability routine with SmartThings Energy.  Did you know? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American shells out $2,000 every year on energy bills. But guess what? Some of that money could be going down the drain because of how we use energy at home. With SmartThings Energy, you can save money while creating automated energy-saving routines. Enjoy peace of mind knowing you're making your home and the planet better for you and your family. Read on for tips on how to get the most out of SmartThings Energy, your smart appliances, and devices that work with SmartThings. What is SmartThings Energy? Ever wish you had a personal energy assistant? That’s SmartThings Energy. Available in the SmartThings app, SmartThings Energy helps you take control of your carbon footprint and cut your energy bills by letting you check your home energy use from anywhere.  Use the service to manage the energy usage of any of your devices that work with SmartThings, create energy-saving routines, get impactful energy-saving tips, and use AI Energy Mode to maximize your energy use. Besides helping your devices run smarter, SmartThings Energy also supports you in larger energy-saving efforts. In times of high energy demand, energy suppliers may charge you higher rates, known as Demand Response. With SmartThings Energy, you can configure your #smart devices, such as your Nanoleaf lights, TP-Link plugs, and smart thermostat, to run less during these peak times. This not only cuts your energy bills but also helps the environment.  SmartThings Energy can also help you leave more money in your pocket. By simply monitoring and cutting down on your home energy use, you could score cash rewards and lower your utility bills with our energy savings programs! Stay tuned to learn more. What is AI Energy Mode? Artificial Intelligence (AI) Energy Mode is an innovative feature within SmartThings Energy, which can save you up to 70% of energy consumption on select products and cycles. AI Energy Mode learns your routines and adjusts your devices to save energy without you lifting a finger. It uses machine learning to recognize when your energy use goes beyond the targets you've set in SmartThings Energy. Plus, it gives you insights into why it happened. Let’s look at some of the ways AI Energy Mode helps with your everyday routines. Washer & Dryer: From your workout clothes to the kids’ athletic gear, it can feel like you’re constantly doing laundry, which means you're using a lot of water. Thankfully, AI Energy Mode optimizes your Samsung Bespoke Washer & Dryer. The Bespoke AI Washer adjusts wash cycles based on load size, potentially reducing energy usage by up to 70%. Meanwhile, the Bespoke AI Dryer monitors temperature and humidity, with AI Dry potentially cutting energy usage by up to 20%. Refrigerator: Your fridge is a major energy consumer in your home, running constantly even when you're not there. But what can you do about it? Turn to AI Energy Mode. It ensures you’re using your Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator efficiently by optimizing compressor speed, defrost cycles, and temperature settings, potentially reducing energy usage by 15% during operation and an additional 15% when not in use. Whether you're out of town or simply away for a while, rest assured that you're conserving energy while keeping your groceries at their ideal temperature. Air Conditioning: Typically, 43% of a home utility bill goes to heating and cooling. Now, with many of us working from home, our AC usage tends to increase, especially as warmer temperatures approach. With AI Energy Mode, your Works with SmartThings thermostat becomes smarter, adjusting settings based on your usage patterns, room temperature, and humidity. No need to compromise your comfort to save energy. TV: Whether you’re watching a movie at night or the baseball game during a bright, sunny Sunday with your Samsung Frame TV, AI Energy Mode ensures you always have the perfect brightness for the best viewing experience. Activating AI Energy Mode triggers your TV’s processor and sensors to detect and analyze your room’s environment and adjust the relevant settings, potentially saving up to 20% energy. No more fiddling with brightness settings. Plus, if you accidentally leave the TV on in another room, it automatically dims its brightness when it detects no viewers for more than two hours. This is just scratching the surface of what SmartThings Energy can do for you. Any way you use it, SmartThings Energy takes care of the little details so you can focus on what truly matters—living your life to the fullest. This Earth Month, #DoTheSmartThings and download the SmartThings app in the Google Play or Apple Store to activate SmartThings Energy and start living a more sustainable life.  

With homes becoming more connected than ever, SmartThings and LIFX are revolutionizing the way consumers experience their living spaces.  Through their collaboration, the companies are emphasizing the 'futuristic' experiences you can create today, right at home. Users can experience situations like stepping into their kitchen after a long day at work and being greeted by the perfect ambiance of lighting, their favorite playlist in the background, and a carefully curated selection of recipes and cooking tips suggested by their Samsung devices awaiting them. The collaboration between SmartThings and LIFX is not just about illumination; it's about creating immersive lighting experiences for day-to-day activities, without even having to think about it. LIFX’s Smart Lighting meets SmartThings Smart Home Connectivity With LIFX's unique 'SuperColor' technology, users can bring the most potent, stunning lighting moods together with sounds, creating a synchronized experience with other devices in their smart home ecosystem. No matter your users’ routines and schedules, SmartThings and LIFX aim to elevate everyday moments into enjoyable experiences. This integration allows for the creation of personalized experiences, tailored to specific lifestyles. Recently, LIFX launched an outdoor range of lighting options which creates additional opportunities for consumers to personalize their outdoor setup with SmartThings. From indoor ambiance to outdoor enjoyment, the possibilities that users have to personalize their lighting experience are endless. Outdoor lighting options include string lights, path lighting, spotlights, and flex edge lighting. Driven by the mission of empowering users, this partnership aims to adapt their home environments to suit their ever-changing needs, moment to moment. SmartThings and LIFX are paving the way for highly dynamic lighting experiences by seamlessly integrating smart devices with these innovative features. The impact of effective lighting also goes beyond aesthetics - more than just decoration, lighting serves as a powerful environmental cue that influences mood, productivity, and overall health. By enabling lighting shifts tied to different home experiences, SmartThings and LIFX are introducing a level of smart home automation that has the potential to transform how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. In addition to the purpose of revolutionizing home experiences, the partnership was formed with sustainability in mind. All lighting products use LEDs, meaning they require a fraction of the energy use and cost of older technologies such as incandescent.  Through the use of energy-efficient LED technology, the products also offer reductions in energy consumption and cost compared to traditional lighting options. With the average cost to run their LED products significantly lower, the partnership not only benefits consumers financially but also contributes to a more sustainable future. By fusing technology and design, the companies are empowering users to unlock the full potential of their homes, shaping the future of smart homes and redefining what it means to live in a connected world. Together, SmartThings and LIFX are working towards creating smarter, more intuitive living spaces for consumers.

In a world where the average home has 16 connected devices, people need simple and easy control otherwise smart home management can become overwhelming. That’s where we step in. Our latest feature makes it even easier for users to manage the entire lifecycle of their Samsung devices. SmartThings has transformed the shopping, device management, and home control functions making connected living even easier than ever before. Device Purchase Tracking From the moment you click "purchase," SmartThings takes the reins, tracking the product from checkout to your front door— all while providing real-time updates on the status of your delivery, enabling users to know exactly when a device is out for delivery, when it's arrived, and even how to set up their devices for optimal performance.  Also, it’s no surprise that device maintenance is often overlooked in the fast-paced world of technology. Say goodbye to unexpected breakdowns and hello to a well-maintained smart home ecosystem. Peace of Mind Once your Samsung device arrives, SmartThings simplifies the setup process; as soon as your product is turned on, your Samsung TV or Galaxy will register the new device and request to add it to your smart home’s ecosystem. You can even register multiple devices at once, saving valuable time and ensuring that every device in your home is seamlessly connected. Once your Samsung device arrives, SmartThings simplifies the setup process; as soon asyour product is turned on, your Samsung TV or Galaxy devices will register the new device and request to add it to your smart home’s ecosystem. You can even register multiple devices at once, saving valuable time and ensuring that every device in your home is seamlessly connected. Smart Living Assistant Beyond device registration, this new feature provides an in-depth understanding of the devices in your home, and the SmartThings app becomes your personal assistant by suggesting behaviors to improve your daily routines, making your smart living experience truly intelligent and personalized. Watching your favorite series? SmartThings will ask if you’d like for it to turn off your lights or close the blinds for an elevated viewing experience. SmartThings ensures that your devices continue to deliver peak performance, enhancing their longevity and maximizing your investment. From purchase tracking and device maintenance to device registration and intelligent living suggestions, this innovative solution is set to redefine the way we interact with our smart devices. Embrace the future of smart living with SmartThings and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a seamlessly connected, intelligent home.

Daylight Savings Time is here (yay for more sunlight!), but if springing forward has knocked your sleep schedule off track, we can help with that. With just the tap of a button, SmartThings will prepare you for the best night’s sleep—and show you how to make your routine easier for everyone.  Read on to learn how you can #DoTheSmartThings and enjoy restful nights ahead.  What is Our Circadian Rhythm? While one hour may seem inconsequential, the time shift can disrupt our circadian rhythm—also known as our internal clock. Humans and other mammals adhere to circadian rhythms, natural 24-hour cycles governing sleep, appetite, and mood. These rhythms hinge on exposure to light, synchronizing with natural light-darkness cycles for optimal sleep and health. Sudden time changes can disrupt our sleep, causing circadian misalignment and sleep debt–the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep regularly–harming overall health. Sleep, after all, helps your body and brain repair, restore, and re-energize.  Fortunately, with the SmartThings Station, our app, and your connected smart devices, you can transition smoothly into the time change, keeping your sleep routine consistent and uninterrupted. Set Your Sleep Routine with SmartThings SmartThings enables you to automate your home, streamlining your mornings for ease and ensuring peaceful nights. First, connect your smart devices to the SmartThings Station so you can control your sleep-related devices with a simple touch of a button. Then, in the SmartThings app, you can create custom routines designed to streamline your sleep adjustment process by setting up your Works with SmartThings-certified devices to react and respond automatically. For example, you can create a night routine where one tap turns off the Philips Hue lights, closes the Somfy blinds, adjusts the Nest thermostat, locks your doors, switches on your security system or outdoor Aqara motion sensors, and turns on any night lights if you have little ones. You can also create a morning routine that opens your blinds, turns on your Samsung TV or your alarm, and starts brewing coffee right from bed! Programming these routines to occur at the same time every day will help you stick to your sleep schedule. Want to know more about our Works with SmartThings-certified partners? Check them out at partners.smartthings.com/supported-devices.  You’ve created your bedtime routine. Now, you might be wondering, how do I determine my ideal amount of sleep? Samsung Sleep Coach While it’s commonly recommended that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep nightly, each person actually has a unique sleep pattern or preference shaped by genetics (this is crucial for aligning with our body clocks). To help you better understand your sleep preference, Samsung partnered with the National Sleep Foundation to analyze your health with advanced and actionable sleep insights. Samsung Galaxy Watch6 This series of watches features the Sleep Coaching Program, which analyzes your accumulated sleep pattern data and provides you insights like a trainer. The program tracks your progress and offers you tailored advice on how to improve your sleep habits, whether suggesting you meditate before bed or use natural light to wake up.  The SmartThings-integrated watch also incorporates a Sleep Mode, which disables any notifications from your connected devices and dims the screen to avoid disturbing your sleep with light. Sleep Smart As we navigate through the changes brought by Daylight Saving Time, prioritizing our sleep health is crucial. SmartThings and Samsung’s innovative smart home solutions give us greater control over our sleep environment, letting us rest easier and more deeply, and enhancing our overall wellbeing.  So, this week, #DoTheSmartThings and download the SmartThings app in the Google Play or Apple Store to set your sleep routines for healthier, more restful sleep.

With the rise in extreme weather events, increasing droughts, inflation, and energy prices going through the roof, people are more concerned than ever with their carbon footprint’s impact on the world—and their utility bills. Head of SmartThings, Mark Benson said it best: “Sustainability is at the core of everything we do.” SmartThings is always building and partnering with innovative, user-centric solutions for a more sustainable future. This commitment is exemplified through SmartThings Energy, a comprehensive energy management solution in the SmartThings app, and our recent partnership with Loop Global. Loop is the first Electric Vehicle (EV) charging company within the SmartThings network. Now, users can control Loop’s advanced, user-friendly EV chargers conveniently and sustainably. In our latest X (Twitter) Q&A, we chatted with Loop Global to discuss our partnership, how their products work with SmartThings, and more. Browse the highlights below or keep reading for the full conversation. The Highlights SmartThings: What makes Loop and your chargers different? Loop: Here at Loop, we are building the next-generation energy network. Our goal is to become a global leader in the electrification of transportation by bringing to market a suite of smart, simple, and affordable electric vehicle charging solutions for everywhere drivers go, whether at home, at work, or on the go.  Loop: For new or existing SmartThings users, how do you go about setting up Loop chargers in the app? SmartThings: Getting set up is simple! Download the SmartThings app on your phone, click “Connect” and search for devices. You can then establish routines, or customize existing routines, to get the most out of your smart home. SmartThings: Sustainability is hugely important to us and our SmartThings Energy initiative. We know it is just as important to you. Tell us more about your sustainability efforts. How can smart charging solutions contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability? Loop: With Samsung and SmartThings integrations, Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers can set up optimal charging schedules from their car, their office, or anywhere they have service with their mobile phone. This lets drivers start charging when the cost of energy is the lowest, and it helps reduce load on the energy grid. Not only does this help the environment, but it also helps the driver’s bottom line!  Our full conversation with Loop SmartThings: We’ve got some burning questions for you! First up, what makes Loop and your chargers different? Loop: Thanks for having us. Here at Loop, we are building the next-generation energy network. Our goal is to become a global leader in the electrification of transportation by bringing to market a suite of smart, simple, and affordable electric vehicle charging solutions for everywhere drivers go, whether at home, at work, or on the go.  SmartThings: Thanks for that introduction. Which of your products works with SmartThings? Loop: Nearly all of our Level 2 charging solutions are compatible with SmartThings. Our EV-Flex Lite is our most popular at-home option, but we also provide our cellular-enabled EV-Flex and our new EV-Flex Plus, featuring 40 amp charging capacity. For new or existing SmartThings users, how do you go about setting up Loop chargers in the app? SmartThings: Getting set up is simple! Download the SmartThings app on your phone, click “Connect” and search for devices. You can then establish routines, or customize existing routines, to get the most out of your smart home. Loop: That’s great! And will this process work for all of our products? SmartThings: Yes! The process to set up any Loop products is the same. We love making things easy! Loop: Easy is best! So, how do Loop products work with other smart home devices within the SmartThings app? SmartThings: Our goal is that everything works together seamlessly so you can get the most out of our app and the SmartThings experience. Once you are connected, you can control all Loop products from your smart devices.  On that note, is there a limit to the number of chargers that can be connected to the SmartThings app? Loop: Nope! Once connected to the app, Loop will find all home chargers and automatically populate them within SmartThings!  SmartThings: Sustainability is hugely important to us and our SmartThingsEnergy initiative. We know it is just as important to you. Tell us more about your sustainability efforts. How can smart charging solutions contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability? Loop: With Samsung and SmartThings integrations, Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers can set up optimal charging schedules from their car, their office, or anywhere they have service with their mobile phone. This lets drivers start charging when the cost of energy is the lowest, and it helps reduce load on the energy grid. Not only does this help the environment, it also helps the driver’s bottom line!  Switching gears, let’s talk about trends. What are some emerging trends in the evolution of smart homes? SmartThings: We see the future of smart homes and smart products evolving with more powerful automations that simply just work and smart home technology as a way to uplift your everyday living and meaningful moments. The next 5-10 years will mean working with partners, like Loop, to streamline and advance the future of smart living. So, where can SmartThings users learn more about Loop and your products?  Loop: Our blog is the best place to learn more about our products and what’s next. Visit https://blog.loopglobal.com/ or send us a DM with any questions!  Last question from us! Where can EV drivers learn more about SmartThings and how to integrate our chargers?  SmartThings: Make sure you are following SmartThings on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram or you can learn more about our partners on our website: partners.smartthings.com. Huge thank you to our partners at Loop Global for joining us today! If you have any questions on how Loop Works With SmartThings, reach out! Loop: Thank you, SmartThings! Visit partners.smartthings.com for more about Loop Global and additional partners, products, and services.

During CES 2024, SmartThings unveiled innovative features aimed at creating a more immersive TV experience, allowing for enhanced convenience without interrupting content viewing. The living room serves at the center of many households for families to come together, and SmartThings’ latest enhancements create a more connected living room experience, enabling users to effortlessly monitor and manage all of their smart devices conveniently from their TVs. Unlocking Greater Smart Home Control with TV as a Hub With the TV functioning as a SmartThings Hub, your television turns into a seamless control center for all your connected devices. Your TV can now effortlessly detect your smartphone, turning it into an instant remote, eliminating the hassle of searching for multiple controllers. The SmartThings TV Quick Panel is a non-intrusive interface for quick access to core functions via a remote control, bridging the gap between Samsung TV features and comprehensive connectivity, without compromising content viewing. The TV Quick Panel allows users to manage devices, view cameras, and even ring their phone to locate it within their home. Users will be empowered to oversee their entire smart home without diverting attention from their screens. For instance, as you approach your television, it intuitively turns on, presenting not only your home's entertainment, but also critical information about your devices and appliances. From your television, you can view your home’s camera feed, temperature, and remaining time in your laundry cycle, all at a single glance. Creating Next-Level Entertainment Experiences  Now, users can step into their living room and experience seamless connectivity with the cutting-edge Now+ display – automatically syncing with TVs to effortlessly guide users through switching music sources from their Buds to the TV, speaker, or Sound Bar. Moreover, Now+ offers a comprehensive summary of the home, including insights into security cameras and energy consumption. With TV Hue Sync, users can create an immersive viewing experience through the TV by syncing TV content and ambient lighting – bringing movies, TV shows, and games to life Picture yourself watching a thriller where the room comes alive with vibrant colors matching the on-screen animation, or relaxing at the end of your day in a space filled with calming hues. As technology continues to evolve, televisions will become more than a household device - they will serve as a gateway to more connected, immersive, and dynamic experiences for the whole family. From staying informed about your home’s status to enjoying more captivating movie and TV sessions, SmartThings is introducing users to a lifestyle where entertainment and home efficiency easily coexist.     Learn more at partners.smartthings.com.

A new option to share your smart life with family, friends, and guests by providing a QR Code Imagine sharing your smart home devices and routines with family, friends, and guests through a simple QR scan; and tailoring their experience based on their preferences. In the evolving landscape of smart home technology, convenience and personalization have become more important than ever. As reliance on smart devices grows, so does the need for seamless integration and effortless control. Today, SmartThings revealed a groundbreaking feature to transform how we interact with our connected environments. Introducing SmartThings Together, a new way to easily share your smart living through QR customization. The introduction of QR codes as a way to easily share access to devices within the SmartThings ecosystem marks a significant step in automating daily chores and at-home tasks. Issuing home control through QR codes offers a new level of flexibility, enabling each member of a household and any guests to control specific devices and create their own routines. SmartThings QR Codes are all about better connecting your devices and the people you love. This is another meaningful step in removing barriers to enter and expanding the access people have to smart home technology.  Tailored Control for Every Family Member The QR codes make it easy to add new family members or caregivers to your home interface, which will allow them to conveniently control relevant smart home devices for a pre-defined duration. This way, your guests can unlock the door, set the thermostat, and make themselves comfortable. Many homes have one person who is the “smart home” tech aficionado, and the rest of the family has to work around their knowledge and expertise. Now, through SmartThings Together, all users can manage the smart home based on their individual needs and preferences.  For example, parents or homeowners may use their smart home to monitor energy use, check that security features are engaged, or to make sure the coffee goes off at the right time in the morning. A child in that same household might only care about control over the entertainment features - this can be granted by the parent through a QR code, allowing their child to record a TV program or play music through a shared speaker.  Simplified and Secure Guest Access and Management SmartThings Together also allows you to securely share the devices and experiences you want, and control who has access to them and when. This makes it much easier to host guests whether you have a friend visiting, or someone staying at your vacation rental for the weekend. Instead of sharing complex access codes or walking guests through arduous setup processes, a quick QR Code scan grants temporary access and control over designated devices and routines. Whether it's adjusting room temperatures, controlling lighting, or accessing entertainment systems, guests can safely and easily navigate and enjoy the smart home experience without a hassle. Effortless Automation and Device Control With SmartThings Together, users can streamline automation and device configuration. Location owners can designate device lists shared to each member of the household. After scanning a QR code, each family member can trigger an allowed, shared routine among those shared devices. For instance, users may activate a "Goodnight" routine, adjusting lights, thermostats, and security settings according to individual preferences for room temperature, night-lighting, background noise, and more.  It also allows for enhanced security. Each QR code is available to one person only, meaning several people could not scan a QR code at the same time. Additionally, the QR codes are only available for five minutes before they regenerate, creating a reduced window of vulnerability.  Whether you’re creating individualized environments for family members, simplifying guest access, or streamlining automation, SmartThings Together makes sharing the smart home experience with everyone in your home easier and more secure. SmartThings’ QR code sharing will revolutionize how everyday people interact with their smart homes and the people around them, setting a new precedent for more intuitive and controlled homes. Read more about SmartThings products and services at partners.smartthings.com.

At CES 2024, SmartThings is unveiling its highly anticipated Map View feature, designed to streamline home management by integrating actual floor plans into its interface. This first-of-its-kind innovation elevates smart home control by visually representing devices within the layout of a home – leading to easier and more convenient smart home management. Today, the average U.S. home has 16 connected devices, and that number is increasing rapidly. As the number of connected devices people have in their home increases, so does the effort in managing them. Map View simplifies device management across the smart home. It allows users to see their entire home at a glance, and all the devices in it, right where they are in the real world, whether via mobile or household device. Users can choose to have the Map View feature activated on their TVs or mobiles, granting immediate access to important home status information. This includes real-time monitoring of cameras, temperature, remaining laundry time, and other essential data. It also provides energy usage data so users can manage their energy consumption from a birds eye view. Previously, managing devices required navigating and scrolling to find individual devices. Now, users can easily generate a 3D map populated with all of their devices, reflecting their real positions within the home. Users can also customize by adding furniture, enabling easy device monitoring and control directly from the map interface. Another exciting feature are the new AI characters that users can create in Map View. These characters can mimic the family members and even pets in the home, and provide an intuitive and fun way to monitor your smart living. For example, if your home is too warm, then your AI characters will appear to be sweating. Not only has Map View made managing your smart home easier, but also more delightful too! Anyone can easily create a 3D layout of their home in Map View using AI technology. For homes with internet available floor plans, users can input their address to automatically create their layout. If they only have a physical copy or image of a floor plan, they can simply take a photo of it and SmartThings will automatically convert it to a 3D layout. Users can even sketch their floor plan in the app to generate the layout.   Samsung’s LiDAR enabled devices, including the Jet Bot vacuum or the Ballie AI robot demonstrated at CES 2024, can be used to scan the home, generating a floor plan automatically, and in the case of Ballie, even placing devices in the right position. The Map View, created by mobile phone or tablet, can be used to check or control the status of each space and smart devices with a synchronized Map View across mobile phones, tablets, TVs and refrigerators – enabling easier, more convenient connectedness throughout your entire space and providing users with the same map view experience on all devices. In 2024, Samsung's focus on SmartThings emphasizes a more immersive and user-centered experience, with easier, more intuitive features. With seamless integration of the SmartThings Hub into TVs and soundbars, it’s even easier for users to start and grow their smart home journey, with the need for a separate smart home hub eliminated. Map View makes the smart home even more friendly and more familiar, and is a great tool for both beginners and power users to manage their smart homes. We’re excited to see how users incorporate the feature to create easier, more connected living experiences.  Learn more about Map View at partners.smartthings.com/map-view.

At SDC2023, SmartThings announced three new APIs, empowering developers of all kinds to leverage SmartThings’ robust infrastructure as a platform for their innovative solutions. The SmartThings APIs serve as the foundation for building solutions that interact with SmartThings infrastructure effortlessly. Whether building an app, device, or platform, SmartThings APIs streamline the process, making building connected solutions more efficient and accessible. The new SmartThings APIs announced are: The SmartThings Home API  — With the Home API, developers’ apps can directly interface with devices connected to SmartThings hubs, letting you create applications that offer seamless device management whether users are local or remote.The Home API eliminates the demands of building and maintaining your own cloud or Matter Controller by using SmartThings’ hub and cloud infrastructure as your own. And you don’t have to make tradeoffs between efficiency and innovation. The Home API allows you to pass custom features to your app using "Manufacturer Specific Clusters". The SmartThings Context API — This powerful tool unlocks the benefit of SmartThings’ new Intelligence Platform, and an exciting new level of automations for users. Harnessing AI, sensing, and connected devices to infer context-like presence and frequent activities allows SmartThings to recommend new and helpful experiences that increase engagement with your devices.The Context API allows developers to receive inference results in real time, and use them to help their devices respond more intelligently. Intelligence Platform features and developer access is always subject to user consent, and developer terms and conditions. The SmartThings Enterprise API — The Enterprise API enables developers building solutions for multi-family, rental, and hospitality environments, to leverage SmartThings’ infrastructure and ecosystem, including Samsung appliances, to cost-effectively build and deploy scalable solutions. Enhancing SmartThings Build, the Enterprise API offers full programmatic access so you can build your own platform and app, without requiring individual SmartThings accounts. And your platform can be more flexible than ever, with role-based policies defining access from the device level up, allowing you to adapt to the needs of different customers. Location groups and large-scale access tokens further enhance scalability of your solutions and the businesses you support. The new SmartThings APIs represent a significant step forward in the smart home ecosystem. Developers of consumer smart home devices and apps, as well as smart building and MDU solutions providers, now have access to a robust infrastructure that simplifies development, enhances user and property manager experiences, and saves valuable resources. Whether looking to control devices locally or remotely, leverage AI to make your devices behave more intelligently, SmartThings enables you to build smarter, scalable products, while letting you invest more in doing what you do best — developing innovative solutions for smart homes. Developers interested in gaining early access to these new SmartThings APIs can contact partners@smartthings.com

At SmartThings, we believe your smart home should work effortlessly for you. Our innovative "Hub Everywhere" strategy ensures Matter Controllers are more accessible than ever, making it easier for everyone to start and grow their smart home with SmartThings. We take immense pride in offering an extensive range of devices that seamlessly function as Matter Controllers, from our Samsung TVs and Family Hub Refrigerators to Smart Monitors, SmartThings Stations, and our original SmartThings Hubs. This year, we’ve added Samsung Soundbars and Harman speakers to the Hub Everywhere family. Greater Hub Versatility   Our Hub, available in various forms, operates on Hub-Core technology. It serves as the Matter Controller, an OTA-Provider, and the central hub for Edge Drivers that streamline the management of Matter devices. The "Hub Everywhere" approach allows users to incorporate multiple hubs into their home setup, enriching the overall smart home experience.  Creating a Multi-Hub Network  Starting with the SmartThings Station, users can now create a multi-hub network in their home, adding additional hubs to their primary one, which becomes part of the Thread mesh. Doing so allows Matter devices to connect to the most optimal or closest hub, extending the range and reliability of their network. This will allow users to put more devices in more places around their homes while experiencing the reliability and responsiveness of local connectivity.  Introducing Hub Replace  We’re also excited to announce one of our most requested and highly anticipated features, Hub Replace. With SmartThings Hub functionality built into more devices, users may want to upgrade their SmartThings setup to a new hub. Hub Replace enables users to transfer everything from their current hub to a new one while keeping their existing setup intact. With Hub Replace, all devices, the Hub's Matter fabric, Edge Drivers Data, Routines, and other Hub Settings, along with their Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Thread networks if supported by the receiving hub, will be seamlessly transferred and applied to the new hub with just a few quick taps.  With these innovations, SmartThings is simplifying hub upgrades and enabling users to seamlessly continue growing and evolving their smart homes. 

In the ever-evolving world of smart home technology, compatibility and connectivity are paramount. The ability to seamlessly integrate different devices and platforms is what makes the smart home experience truly smart. At SmartThings, we constantly work to expand our ecosystem and ensure users have the flexibility to choose, connect, and control a wide range of devices. Today, we are thrilled to take that commitment a major step further by announcing support for third-party Matter bridges.  What Are Matter Bridges?  Matter bridges are a critical piece of the puzzle when creating a unified and interoperable smart home ecosystem. They serve as connectors, allowing device makers with non-Matter devices (such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, and proprietary connectivity) to seamlessly integrate with Matter ecosystems. These bridges represent non-Matter devices on a Matter network, and vice versa, acting as translators to facilitate communication between devices on either side of the bridge. Many popular brands have announced their hubs — including millions already in homes today — will act as Matter bridges, allowing SmartThings users to connect hundreds of new devices.  A Seamless Integration Experience  One of the key benefits of SmartThings' support for third-party Matter bridges is the effortless onboarding process. When users commission Matter bridges to SmartThings, we take care of the heavy lifting by automatically onboarding all bridged devices, ensuring a hassle-free setup.  We also continually synchronize with the bridge, so that if a user adds or removes a bridged device in your app, SmartThings responds immediately, updating to reflect those changes. This real-time synchronization ensures users always have an accurate view of their smart home.  Expanding Reach with Works With SmartThings  We know developers are eager to reach a broader audience. That's why we're excited to announce support for bridges is also coming to the Works With SmartThings program. This expansion creates new opportunities for developers to promote bridges and bridge-connected devices to millions of Samsung users.  With Works With SmartThings, manufacturers can promote their products to a vast and diverse community of users who are looking to start and grow their smart homes. It's a powerful platform for showcasing devices and driving adoption among users who value compatibility and interoperability with their Samsung devices and SmartThings-powered homes.  SmartThings' support for third-party Matter bridges gives users more choices in the devices they enable their smart home with and gives developers more choices in how they integrate those devices. We're proud to continue leading interoperability and openness in the smart home industry and invite developers to join us on our journey. Interested in learning more? Contact us at partners@smartthings.com.

In today's fast-paced world, where energy consumption is a pressing concern, we’re leading the charge in revolutionizing energy management—and are excited to introduce a range of new features for our SmartThings Energy service. These enhancements are designed to give you greater control over your energy usage and redefine the way you interact with your smart home, all while ensuring convenience and efficiency. Read on to learn what’s new with SmartThings Energy. Electricity Maps Partnership We’ve teamed up with Electricity Maps, a renowned service that provides visual representations of electricity sources and associated carbon dioxide emissions. Through the integration of Electricity Maps within the SmartThings app, you can learn about your electricity’s origin and carbon footprint with ease, and use this data to make informed decisions about your energy usage. Start taking the next step towards more eco-conscious living. Expansion of Supported Devices In addition to supporting connected Samsung appliances, TVs, and third-party devices, SmartThings Energy is now also compatible with most smart plugs, thermostats, and lights. With this expansion, we’ve made it easy for users to connect a broader range of energy-consuming devices with their "Away" mode. Rest assured that your devices are automatically turned off when not in use, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Enhanced Automatic Demand Response (DR) Functionality Our SmartThings Energy update comes with advanced automatic Demand Response (DR) features, allowing users enrolled in energy savings programs to manage their devices more intelligently. Before, users would receive notifications of a DR event and manually adjust their devices or set up automations.  Now, with the latest update, you can set up your smart devices and SmartThings Energy will automatically adjust them, turning off lights or plugs, and activating more economical modes for thermostats or Samsung appliances that feature AI Energy Mode. Partnership with Resideo to Unlock Energy Savings If you live in California, you’re in luck. SmartThings Energy users in The Golden State can now enroll their homes with Resideo's energy program to enjoy cash rewards. By participating in the program, you can receive up to $100 via gift card when you're approved for the program. Energy costs are at their highest, however, our partnership with Resideo lets you earn rewards for reducing energy use when the grid needs it most, helping your community's grid reliability. Enhanced User Experience and Energy Savings With a dedication to innovation and a greener future, we’re taking energy management to the next level. Our SmartThings Energy updates and partnerships were designed to give you greater flexibility and convenience when it comes to managing your smart home devices, ultimately leading to significant energy (and financial) savings. And this is just the beginning. To unlock the full suite of energy management capabilities, activate SmartThings Energy in the SmartThings App, or visit https://www.smartthings.com/smartthings-energy to learn more.

Picture this, you’re coming home from a long day at work and the only thing that’ll get your spirit up is sitting down to watch your favorite comfort show. You walk in the door and BOOM, the lights dim, and that Friends episode you love begins to play. It’s truly the perfect start to your wind-down routine.  The idea isn’t far-fetched. We’ve partnered with Eve to make living easier (and smarter), giving you the tools you need for instant comfort the second you get home. With products like the Eve Door & Window sensor and SmartThings automations, just open the door and watch your connected devices activate.  We gave attendees a taste of the smart life at our SmartThings Home Tour featuring Eve in May. With the state-of-the-art Smart Home setup on the top floor of the Samsung 837 store, guests were able to see firsthand how Eve products work with SmartThings and connected home devices anywhere—from the kitchen to the living room or bedroom (even the kiddo’s room, too!). In case you missed it, we collaborated with Eve again in a recent LIVE Twitter Q&A to talk more about our partnership and their smart home initiatives. Check out the highlights and full Q&A below. The Highlights SmartThings: We want to know what type of products Eve offers and what makes them a Smart Home game changer.  Eve: Eve Home builds connected home products such as smart plugs, sensors, and switches that help increase energy efficiency, comfort, and safety.  SmartThings: Tell us how Eve products work best with your SmartThings devices. Eve: With a Matter-enabled Eve Door & Window contact sensor, simply open your door and automatically have your connected comforts activated – such as any mood lights connected to an #EveEnergy smart plug and your Samsung TV. Learn more here: https://www.evehome.com/en-us/matter. Eve: Let’s talk about Eve x Matter connectivity. Originally, the Eve product line was compatible with Apple Home only. Spearheaded two years ago, we started transitioning our low-power product line from Bluetooth to Thread, getting it ready for Matter. And our customers who already have those Thread-enabled devices in their home can upgrade to Matter via a free firmware upgrade. Eve Energy, Eve Motion & Eve Door & Window are the first Matter-certified Eve products, and firmware for many more is underway! SmartThings: And Matter also makes it easier to connect Eve products with SmartThings and other devices! The integration of Matter allows our partners, along with Samsung’s Galaxy devices, TVs, and Family Hub appliances, to have the most versatile connectivity options through the SmartThings app. Our full conversation with Eve  SmartThings: Thank you for joining us, we’ve got some burning questions for you! First up, we want to know what type of products Eve offers and what makes them a Smart Home game changer.  Eve: Eve Home builds connected home products such as smart plugs, sensors, and switches that help increase energy efficiency, comfort, and safety.  Did you know that there are tons of benefits to using Eve products with SmartThings? Just connect Eve products to SmartThings to create custom routines catered to YOU! With our Eve Door & Window sensor, simply open your door and automatically have your connected comforts activated.  SmartThings: Now let’s talk about how you can get your Eve products connected in the SmartThings app! Did you know that you can effortlessly create routines that rely on Eve sensors to notify the user once motion is detected or a door is opened? Or, if you’re all about comfort, turn on a light that is connected to an Eve Energy plug when you enter the house or a room and set the mood.  Eve: It’s also super easy to get started and pair any Matter-enabled smart device with SmartThings. Simply download SmartThings on your device, make sure your Eve product is switched on, locate the device and connect. You’re all set. SmartThings: Tell us how Eve products work best with your SmartThings devices. Eve: With a Matter-enabled Eve Door & Window contact sensor, simply open your door and automatically have your connected comforts activated – such as any mood lights connected to an #EveEnergy smart plug and your Samsung TV. Learn more:  https://www.evehome.com/en-us/matter  Eve: But now let’s talk about Eve x Matter connectivity. Originally, the Eve product line was compatible with only Apple Home. Spearheaded two years ago, we started transitioning our low-power product line from Bluetooth to Thread, getting it ready for Matter. And our customers who already have those Thread-enabled devices in their homes can upgrade to Matter via a free firmware upgrade. Eve Energy, Eve Motion & Eve Door & Window are the first Matter-certified Eve products, and firmware for many more is underway! SmartThings: Matter also makes it easier to connect Eve products with SmartThings and other devices! The integration of Matter allows our partners, along with Samsung’s Galaxy devices, TVs, and Family Hub appliances, to have the most versatile connectivity options through the SmartThings app. SmartThings: Now tell us why privacy is so important to Eve. How are products designed with consumers’ safety and privacy in mind?  Eve: Yes, let’s talk about it! Your home is your most private space – it's paramount that we make products that protect it. All data is fully encrypted and only transferred directly between your Eve accessory and Matter controller. Strong encryption verification makes sure that only you hold the key to your home. There is no registration, no tracking, and no Eve cloud. SmartThings: Amazing. Now, let’s see Eve in action! Eve: All you have to do is place your smartphone on the SmartThings Station in your bedroom to activate a good night scene: turn on your bedside lamps connected to Eve Energy and switch off all other lights in the house – and while pressing the button on your SmartThings Station, it will turn off your bedroom lights too!  SmartThings: Before we wrap up, we want to know where SmartThings sees the smart home space heading in the next 5-10 years. Eve: We see the future of smart home and smart products evolving with more powerful automations that simply just work, without any manual controls needed! Thanks again Eve for chatting with us. Stay tuned for more Q&As with our partners on Twitter! 

The popcorn’s ready, and everyone’s gathered around the TV. It’s movie night, but tonight you’re taking it to the next level. With the tap of a button, your “movie night” routine activates in the SmartThings App, and then the magic happens. The movie starts, and your Nanoleaf Bulbs begin to dim, the Lightstrips mimic the surround sound, and the colors change to match the mood. It’s the perfect backdrop to family fun and a night of immersion. That’s only the beginning of how Nanoleaf works with SmartThings. Dedicated to transforming home lighting through innovative smart lighting products, Nanoleaf offers a line of Matter-certified Bulbs and Lightstrips compatible with the SmartThings App—making your movie night setup, or any at-home experience, that much better.  To share more about our partnership—and teach our users about Matter—we hosted a live Twitter Q&A with Nanoleaf’s CEO, Gimmy Chu. Check out the highlights below, or keep reading for the full conversation. The Highlights SmartThings: How can you customize your space with Nanoleaf through the SmartThings app?  Nanoleaf: The SmartThings app lets you easily control your Nanoleaf lights, change their color and even set schedules! For example, you can customize your bedroom lighting by setting a “goodnight” routine, so your lights automatically change to a warm yellow at night to help your mind and body get ready for sleep.  SmartThings: How does Nanoleaf prioritize sustainability? Nanoleaf: Nanoleaf’s Essentials products are manufactured using solar energy, and the LED Bulbs help to save over 29,000 gallons of water over a usage span of 10 years. SmartThings: Where does Nanoleaf see smart home technology heading in the next 5-10 years? Nanoleaf: The future of the smart home will evolve with more powerful automations that simply work, without any manual controls needed. Nanoleaf’s upcoming Sense+ Controls line creates a hands-free lighting experience with your lights turning on exactly when and how you need them.  Our full conversation with Nanoleaf SmartThings: Thank you for joining us. Let’s jump right in. What are Nanoleaf lights and what makes them a Smart Home game changer?  Nanoleaf: We create smart lighting to customize your space. Our light panels and light bars are completely modular with 16M+ color options, giving you the freedom to personalize your lighting exactly how you want it. We also recently launched our Essentials Matter-certified line of Bulbs and Lightstrips to make smart home controls and automations much more seamless. SmartThings: How can you customize your space with Nanoleaf through the SmartThings app? Nanoleaf: The SmartThings app lets you easily control your Nanoleaf lights, change their color and even set schedules! For example, you can customize your bedroom lighting by setting a goodnight “routine,” so your lights automatically change to a warm yellow at night to help your mind and body get ready for sleep.  Now, we have a question for you. What are some benefits of using Nanoleaf with the SmartThings app? SmartThings: We want users to connect Nanoleaf to our app to create custom routines catered to them. Looking for that extra layer of security at night? Set your living room lights to turn on at 10pm every night before bedtime to signify someone is home. Convenience and safety matter deeply to us! Nanoleaf: And you recently unveiled the SmartThings Station! How does this differ from the SmartThings app? SmartThings: SmartThings Station and the SmartThings app work together to create simple, smart home experiences. SmartThings Station is a hub and fast wireless charger, and the SmartThings app manages and controls your smart devices for seamless everyday living. SmartThings: Sustainability is hugely important to us and our SmartThings Energy initiative. How is Nanoleaf prioritizing this?  Nanoleaf: Sustainability is at the core of who we are; we believe this should be a standard for all businesses. Our Essentials products are manufactured using solar energy, and the LED Bulbs help to save over 29,000 gallons of water over a usage span of 10 years. SmartThings: We completely agree! For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, activate SmartThings Energy for energy-saving and cost-lowering tips. Now, let’s chat about Matter! How has Nanoleaf recently made an effort to work with all Matter-certified devices, and why is that so important? Nanoleaf: Nanoleaf’s new Essentials Matter Bulbs & Lightstrips are the first Matter-certified lighting available to customers today. Building this new foundation with Matter will make smart living easier for users and enable more powerful automations in the future.  How will SmartThings and Matter, along with Connectivity Standards Alliance, work together to simplify the lives of smart home owners?  SmartThings: We truly believe Matter is the foundation and future of IoT! With this new standard, Matter-enabled devices will join numerous products and brands already available within our ecosystem, like Nanoleaf, to simplify the smart home. The integration of Matter allows our partners, along with Samsung’s Galaxy devices, TVs and Family Hub appliances, to have the most versatile connectivity options through the SmartThings app. You can learn more about that here: https://smartthings.com/matter.  We see smart home technology as a way to uplift your everyday living and meaningful moments. Where do you see the space heading in the next 5-10 years? Nanoleaf: We agree! The future of the Smart Home will evolve with more powerful automations that simply work, without any manual controls needed. With our upcoming Sense+ Controls line, we envision a hands-free lighting experience with your lights turning on exactly when and how you need them.  Where does SmartThings see the smart home space heading in the next 5-10 years? SmartThings: Smart Homes have gone from a niche market to an everyday experience, with most homes having between 5-7 connected devices. It’s so important that these devices connect to one another easily! The next 5-10 years will mean working with Matter partners like Nanoleaf to streamline and advance the future of smart living. Thanks again, Nanoleaf and Mr. Chu for chatting with us. Stay tuned for more Q&As with our partners on Twitter! 

As more of us connect more things to the power grid, from appliances and TVs, to smart blinds and cars, energy demand keeps going up. And when many of us use energy at the same time — like when we all turn our coffee makers on in the morning, plug in cars after work, or run the dishwasher after dinner — that demand can be more than the grid normally supplies.  To deal with this, utility providers may have to generate that additional electricity using older or more carbon-intensive methods. Or they will sometimes charge more for energy during these “peak” demand periods to encourage people to reduce their energy. This is often called “Demand Response”. Most consumers want their utility bills and carbon footprints low, but it can be hard for the average user to keep an eye on their energy use, let alone control it! This is where SmartThings Energy comes in. As a first-of-its-kind ENERGY STAR-certified Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS), our service allows users like you to reduce demand on the grid during peak and emergency situations, lower your energy costs, and manage and automate the energy use of any compatible smart devices within your home. How do we do it? SmartThings-enabled Samsung appliances, along with a growing number of Works With SmartThings devices, allow you to measure and manage your energy use through the SmartThings app. To take this to the next level, we’ve partnered with utility providers and grid-service programs to help you manage your energy costs, earn rewards, and help reduce energy demand across the grid.  SmartThings users in eligible areas can now get real-time insights and suggestions on how to manage their consumption during peak demand periods — and earn cash rewards for participating in demand response programs. Unlock Energy Savings and Improve Grid Reliability  If you’re a New York or California resident, activate SmartThings Energy in the SmartThings app and enter your zip code to see if you're eligible to participate in our demand response programs with Logical Buildings and Enersponse. By participating, you'll receive cash payments, save on your utility bills, and reduce the carbon footprint of your connected home devices. And, as a plus, you’ll provide measurable support to your community via demand response services such as load shedding during peak demand, helping to reduce the need for carbon-intensive peak energy generation.  Once registered, you’ll be notified in real-time if you’re using energy during peak hours and can take action to reduce your consumption immediately. Think: delaying the use of your dishwasher or switching to a more efficient mode. While you may not realize it, these actions can significantly offset your overall energy costs— and can lower demand across an entire zip code! The Future of Energy Management is Here We’re working hard to enable additional demand response and utility programs to connect our users to, with the goal of empowering you with more visibility and control over your energy use. SmartThings Energy is more than a service – it’s a powerful tool that makes it easy for you to take control of your energy usage, reduce your carbon footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Ready to take action? Visit https://www.smartthings.com/smartthings-energy to learn more about our energy initiatives.

Matter, a new industry protocol created by hundreds of leading and innovative companies (including Samsung), marks a new era for the smart home and its users. With a mission of simplifying the connected living experience, Matter makes it easy for users to buy, set up, and control smart devices. And while the new protocol is stirring a lot of buzz, many are wondering “how does it work?” Our Marketing and Strategy Consultant, Daniel Moneta, who is also one of the leads of the Matter working group, let us in on everything you need to know about Matter (and how you’re likely already prepared to use it!). Thanks for chatting with us, Daniel. Can you explain Matter in one sentence or less to someone who's never heard of it? Sure! Matter is an open-standard, common language for smart home devices that makes it way easier to get them set up and working together. What devices connect with Matter? Matter supports many of today’s most common smart home categories, with more to come in the future! Look for lights, plugs, blinds, door locks, thermostats, sensors, and other devices that have the Matter logo. That’s exciting! Is Matter a new kind of radio technology? Nope. Matter is an “application layer”, which means it can run over technologies already in your homes or devices — like Wi-Fi or Thread. Think of it like this: you and I can both have the same radio, but unless we speak the same language, we can’t really do anything interesting together. Technologies like Wi-Fi and Thread let you connect your devices, and Matter is the language they speak to each other. What is Thread, and how is it related to Matter? Matter devices can talk to each other over Ethernet (wired network), Wi-Fi, a new technology called Thread, or any combination. Thread is a new, wireless networking technology. Like Wi-Fi, Thread is based on Internet Protocol (or IP), so Thread devices join your home network just like any other kind of device. Thread is low power, and uses mesh networking to extend devices’ range, so it’s commonly found in battery-powered devices or ones that might be placed farther away from your home router.  In order to join your network, Thread devices connect through a “Thread Border Router”, a kind of bridge device that joins your Thread network to your Wi-Fi or wired network (just like an access point or router does for Wi-Fi). Thread Border Routers from any brand can be used to connect Thread devices, and many are built-in to devices including smart home hubs, smart speakers, and lighting. The latest SmartThings Hub, SmartThings Station, Samsung TVs, and Samsung Family Hub refrigerators have Thread Border Routers built in. How will Matter impact the lives of people who use multiple smart home devices on a daily basis? Matter makes smart home devices more responsive and reliable because devices connect to each other directly within the home instead of going through the cloud. And its simple, standard setup process makes it easy and consistent to add new devices to your home, no matter the brand.Does Matter need to be installed or will existing smart home devices be updated to support the protocol? Odds are you’re already set for Matter! Major smart home platforms — including SmartThings of course — have already updated most of their hubs (or products with hubs in them like TVs or smart speakers) to support new Matter devices.  As for the devices, a number of existing smart home devices can be updated to Matter. Check with your favorite brands to find out how. But don’t worry: your existing non-Matter devices won’t stop working, and you can still control and automate Matter and non-Matter devices together in SmartThings. Tell us more about smart home hubs. Do users need a hub to use Matter? Yes, but you probably already have one! Matter devices connect locally, so you need a controller (or “hub”) from your favorite smart home platform to connect to and control devices when you’re at home, or away. Most smart home platforms — including SmartThings of course — have already updated devices like hubs, TVs, and smart speakers to be Matter controllers for their users. Thank you, Daniel. Visit our website to learn more about Matter and how it works with SmartThings.

Since 2013, we’ve proudly partnered with Aeotec, the leading maker of high-quality, everyday smart home products. What’s even more exciting is that their products, like the Aeotec Smart Home Hub, are exclusive and compatible with the SmartThings App, and connect to Works with SmartThings-certified devices, including Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Wi-Fi devices. We sat down with Aeotec to discuss how their products work with SmartThings — and how they keep users connected to their homes. Here’s what we learned. Aeotec Smart Home Hub First things, first. What do you need in order to set up a smart home with Aeotec and SmartThings? All you need is the Aeotec Smart Home Hub, which acts as the brain of your smart home, and Aeotec devices such as Actuators – light switches, cameras, smart doorbells, alarm systems, etc. – and Smart Sensors for security, home energy-use monitoring, and more. Simply download the SmartThings app and follow the app’s step-by-step instructions for connecting the device. That’s great! What are the benefits of using Aeotec and SmartThings? A solid and reliable smart home! Using the SmartThings app, you can automate and control all of Aeotec’s smart devices and products from hundreds of other brands to build a system that works for you and your needs. Can Aeotec-connected devices be controlled from anywhere?  Our app lets you easily control and monitor Aeotec devices no matter where you are. You can also do so with other smart home appliances like Samsung TVs, refrigerators, cooktops, washers and dryers, AC, air purifiers, and more. What about compatibility? Can you control devices from various manufacturers with SmartThings?  Yes! The SmartThings app lets you personalize your smart home. For example, you can use Aeotec products with Samsung devices or Z-Wave sensors with Zigbee light bulbs. Last question. Will the Aeotec Smart Home Hub support Matter in the future? Yes, the Aeotec Smart Home Hub supports Matter and is certified as a Thread border router. Matter will be the de-facto standard in every home, offering consumers interoperability between devices, flexibility, and more choices when purchasing connected home devices. Thank you, Aeotec!  Learn more about how Aeotec works with SmartThings here, and stay tuned for more partner spotlights on our blog and Q&As with our innovative partners on Twitter! 

We brought “Calm” to CES 2023, with an up-close look at how SmartThings can seamlessly integrate into your daily lives through our latest innovations. While many of our announcements stood out among exhibitors, the new SmartThings Station received the most buzz and excitement from both the media and industry. Want to know more? Read on for all of our highlights and stand-out announcements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwHVc9bzle0&t=2s Bringing Calm to Our Connected World We believe your smart home should work for you — and create a sustainable, safe, convenient (and even fun) living environment. While we have big dreams for what a calm connected world looks like, we demonstrated it at CES through the onboarding experience. In 2023, when you buy a Samsung device, SmartThings will simply ask you if you want to add it to your connected home. Instead of several steps to onboard the device, you only need to answer yes or no, making it more convenient for you to experience connected, smart living. Hub Everywhere Furthering our mission for Hub Everywhere, we introduced two new Matter-capable hubs for 2023: our TVs and the new SmartThings Station, a compact, wireless charger that also doubles as a hub to connect your smart home devices and create routines. Ready for bed? Just program the Station to automatically turn off your lights and TV for a custom night routine. Sustainability Saving energy matters now more than ever, which is why we’re placing sustainability at the core of our user experience. At CES, we announced our initiatives for sustainable living and commitment to making Net Zero Homes a reality with SmartThings Energy — a tool that’ll give you real-time data on your energy, water, and natural gas usage to help you reduce your carbon footprint (and your monthly energy bill). Because of our sustainability efforts, our connected home experience is the first mass-market Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS) to earn Energy Star certification. SmartThings in the News With an emphasis on our innovative technology and smart home solution, we received many awards and accolades during CES 2023. One of the most notable is the “Best of CES” award from Engadget for our ability to control connected devices throughout the home seamlessly. We also earned the “CES Innovations” award from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) for making smart home technology more accessible and user-friendly. The accolades didn’t stop there. Cementing our status as the most versatile and comprehensive smart home solution on the market, we were featured across top-tier, tech and consumer media outlets including Bloomberg, The Verge, CNET, TechCrunch, Men’s Journal, and USA Today’s Reviewed. CES 2023 was a success, and we could not have done it without our partners, customers, and employees. Stay tuned for more updates on our latest products and innovations, as we further our commitment to creating one simple home system with a world of possibilities. 

As part of our effort to simplify setup and provide customers with increased choice and flexibility, Samsung is teaming up with Amazon to make it easy for customers to use SmartThings, Samsung’s connected living platform, or the Alexa service, to set up Matter devices once and control them using both smart home systems. Samsung and Amazon’s collaboration will allow customers to easily tap into Matter's multi-admin feature, as well as simplify onboarding while creating a unified Thread network in the home. Customers that opt-in will be able to control their Matter devices with both SmartThings and Alexa without having to set up devices on each smart home system. By sharing Thread network credentials, customers will benefit from streamlined setup for Thread based devices and a more reliable experience through wider coverage on a single Thread network. “SmartThings customers have long enjoyed using Alexa's voice capabilities to give them more ways to control the home. We are excited to work with Amazon to help simplify the smart home experience and provide more choice to our mutual customers on the types of devices and services they use in their homes.” said Jaeyeon Jung, Corporate Vice President and Head of SmartThings, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “This collaboration ultimately provides further interoperability and will help ensure the potential of Matter is fully realized.” This collaboration is built upon upcoming Alexa APIs enabling bi-directional multi-admin simple setup and Thread credential sharing for Matter devices. These cloud-based APIs are designed to make complex technology fade into the background, allowing customers to effortlessly add Matter devices to their preferred services, realizing Matter’s promise of simplifying our customers’ smart home experience.

SmartThings is excited to announce SmartThings Edge, a new hub architecture that allows core functionality to execute locally, leading to smart home experiences that are more reliable, faster, and more secure. While users will not see a change within the SmartThings app, on the backend, SmartThings Edge is transforming connectivity and the experience in a noticeable way. SmartThings Edge’s advanced technology increases the speed of automations for consumers by eliminating the need for cloud-based processing, bringing all the information directly to the Hub. This not only streamlines events and commands, but also allows for local device support on a home network, allowing users to run their Automations locally. This local device support decreases latency and increases reliability. SmartThings users will also be able to connect Zigbee, Z-Wave, and LAN-based integrations, with the ability to connect more protocols in the future, including Matter. As part of SmartThings’ evolution to modernize and move away from the legacy Groovy platform, SmartThings developed a solution that would be able to deliver the developer experience to meet the current times. Developers are now able to code and build Device Drivers with Lua©, offering a more robust and simpler way for device manufacturers to integrate with the SmartThings platform. This new platform architecture is an example of SmartThing’s commitment to investing in technologies that make it easier for our global developer network to build the next generation of smart home experiences that inspire meaningful moments.

Looking for new ways to take control of your energy consumption? SmartThings Energy, a new service within the SmartThings app, allows consumers to make greener decisions with monitoring, target-setting, and notifications of Samsung appliances and HVAC systems.  The new, first-of-its-kind solution provides another reason to invest in IoT. With more people staying at home during the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in home energy usage. Now, one of the most sought after smart home features is available. SmartThings Energy delivers a real-time view of energy consumption, analysis and cost estimates – putting control into the hands of its users.  SmartThings Energy is the most comprehensive real-time energy consumption data on the market and addresses challenges related to major energy consuming appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and laundry machines, head-on.   Through SmartThings Energy, users can: Monitor the energy usage of home appliances. Users can check their electricity and water usage from a single device or aggregated usage from multiple compatible devices. They can also view their consumption data in comparison to target goals and see how much energy they are using compared to the previous month.  Discover consumption data. User-friendly charts allow users to understand how much energy each of their devices is consuming. In addition, users will receive energy saving tips based on the devices that are connected. For example, switch to eco-wash mode to run laundry. Save energy through notifications that alert users when they’re using too much energy at a given time. For instance, the interface sends alerts when a device is left on while users are away from the home and when they are using more energy than their monthly target. SmartThings Energy, which will support most of the Samsung Home Appliances and HVAC products, is the latest innovation that represents the company’s commitment to sustainable living. In the future, SmartThings will expand the service to WWST partners and bring in new partners that specialize in energy management.

We are pleased to unveil the next generation of our SmartThings connected home experience. Featuring a new look and feel, the new SmartThings interface offers users a simpler, more robust user journey, and faster load times.  Smart homes continue to surge in popularity, with the number of smart homes expected surpass the 350 million mark by 2023. The new SmartThings interface delivers on the needs of both future and existing customers by creating a more seamless application experience. With an enhanced user journey, SmartThings makes life easier to discover and experience IoT services, while ensuring a seamless transition from SmartThings’ previous version.   The updated app, which will be available on desktop and mobile devices, is the latest example of our ongoing commitment to bringing smart functionality and capabilities to consumers. The revamped layout will include five different sections: Favorites, Devices, Automations, Life, and More: Favorites is the new home screen within SmartThings and gathers the devices, scenes, and services used most for quicker access. Devices lets users view and control all devices, connecting TVs, light bulbs, appliances, and more. Life is a place to explore the growing world of connected living where users can discover new SmartThings services that transform physical products into meaningful user experiences. Automations connects devices and allows them to work together and respond to specific conditions in the home, such as a door opening and a light turning on.  Menu will house additional SmartThings features including SmartThings Labs, Notifications, History, and Settings.     This update comes on the heels of recent news about SmartThings’ new Windows application, which offers a similar user experience right from a Galaxy Notebook and any other Windows PC. 

We’re pleased to announce that a new protocol, Matter, will soon be integrated into the SmartThings ecosystem, marking a critical step in advancing smart home solutions and creating new opportunities for consumers and developers. Powered by market-proven technologies, Matter devices will interact with thousands of products and brands already within the SmartThings platform, allowing for even more versatility and flexibility.     Unveiled earlier this week, Matter is a royalty-free, open-source connectivity standard that will enable communication among a wide range of smart devices. SmartThings will fully integrate Matter into its powerful ecosystem, while continuing to support existing protocols including Zigbee, Z-Wave and more, ensuring no disruption to current connected homes. New and existing customers will still be able to leverage the powerful SmartThings automations to create rich smart home experiences.  For our developers, Matter opens the door of innovation, allowing more time to focus on creativity while reducing time spent of recreating efforts across various ecosystems. For our builder and real estate partners, Matter is the future of reliable connectivity, ensuring the widest choice in smart device compatibility at scale. The protocol allows them to unlock additional revenue, streamline installation and training, and ensure lasting quality for their customers. Matter bridges the gaps between the past, present, and future connected devices by simplifying connected experiences and ensuring new devices can seamlessly be integrated into existing smart homes. As pioneers in the smart home industry from the very beginning, we believe this will become the de facto standard in every smart home in the world, and seamlessly be controlled by the SmartThings app.  SmartThings continues to be the glue that connects devices together across brands and platforms. With the addition of Matter, SmartThings maintains its stronghold position as a powerful and comprehensive ecosystem offering users more choices for their everyday lives. This collaboration represents the next step in SmartThings’ commitment to providing an open environment and consumer-driven experiences. With 5,000 devices across 214 brands, SmartThings prides itself with its dedication to consumer choice. In the months ahead, SmartThings will continue to collaborate with other members of Connectivity Standards Alliance to shape the future of IoT and give customers a greater peace of mind. 

Want to give new life to legacy Galaxy smartphones? Leveraging the power of SmartThings and repurposing built-in sensors within Galaxy devices, you can now turn old Galaxy phones into sound and light sensors. Here is how to start:  Onboard legacy phone Download the SmartThings app on your current phone. Tap the Menu (☰) and select “SmartApps” Select More Options (⋮) and choose SmartThings Labs* followed by Galaxy UpcycleClick on “Next” to generate a QR code.Scan the QR code with your legacy phone.Install the “Galaxy Upcycle” app on your legacy phone.Select either “Light sensor” or “Sound sensor” feature. Set up a “Light sensor” Tap “Light sensor” to add your legacy phone as a light sensor.Go back to your current phone and open the SmartThings app. The new light sensor will now be available on your device list. Tap the light sensor device card to see the current brightness level, scored out of 7 levels of brightness.Using Automations, you can now adjust your lighting based on the brightness level detected by the sensor.  Set up a “Sound sensor” Tap “Sound sensor” to add your legacy phone as a sound sensor.Go back to your current phone and open the SmartThings app. The new sound sensor will now be available on your device list. The sensor detects 5 types of sounds including baby crying, dog barking, cat meowing, glass breaking, and knock on door.Using Automations, you can now control your devices using the sounds detected by the sensor.  *SmartThings Lab uses experimental features. Some features may only be available for certain devices, models, or countries. Some features may be removed or changed without notice. 

A #loT lot of people are talking about the Internet of Things. But you're not one of them, 'cause you don't understand it. That's because one of the biggest issues facing the Internet of Things is explaining what the Internet of Things is. (more…)

In the near future, it will be possible to communicate with nearly every device in your home. More importantly, the value to be derived from communicating with these previously dumb, lifeless things will far outweigh the investment necessary to learn their language. These things will be able to capture data, communicate vital information to us that we wouldn’t otherwise know, and perform actions when different events occur. And when enough of these devices are connected to the Internet, you will be able to choreograph them to work together based on your specific needs. While many people have labeled this forthcoming revolution the “Internet of Things,” a more accurate description is the “Programmable World.” (more…)

Everyone has a story to tell. We want to hear yours. To have your story about SmartThings featured, please check out our submission guidelines below and then pass it on over to us by e-mailing eliot@smartthings.com. (more…)

New features, same innovative SmartThings. Recently, SmartThings announced a suite of updates and exciting partner announcements, including: Shareable routines Enhanced hub functionality Matter 1.2 support New Device Control  SmartThings Energy enhancements These new advancements will make managing smart devices and routines even easier, reflecting SmartThings’ dedication to streamlining the connected home experience and removing the obstacles associated with smart home living.  Here’s a closer look at what’s new with SmartThings. Unlock Smart Home Sharing with Shareable Routines Another leap forward in connecting your devices and the people you love, Shareable Routines is a new feature within the SmartThings platform that allows you to share your daily routines with others. This means you can easily pass on your automated sequences of tasks or actions to guests or friends, enhancing the overall usability and accessibility of these routines.  For instance, you may have a wake-up routine where your lights gradually turn on, your coffee maker starts brewing, and your favorite morning playlist starts playing. With Shareable Routines, you can easily share this routine with your friends or family who want to set up the same routine at their house. They can activate (and customize) the shared routine by simply scanning a QR code of the routine, and SmartThings will take care of the rest.  Enhanced Smart Home Reliability with New Hub Features Building on advancements like Hub Groups and Hub Replace, SmartThings has introduced the new Hub Manager in the SmartThings app. With this app, you can configure your smart home using a central hub management interface. Create Hub Groups with various types of SmartThings Hubs and enable Hub Backup. To make your smart home more reliable and resilient. Hub Backup prevents disruptions to daily routines by swiftly switching to a secondary hub if the primary hub fails. All device configurations, network settings, and routines transfer easily. Matter 1.2 Certification and Support The SmartThings platform has been updated and certified to the Matter 1.2 SDK, bringing a host of enhancements to the SmartThings ecosystem. SmartThings seamlessly integrates with partner devices that support Matter 1.2, including refrigerators, room air conditioners, dishwashers, laundry washing machines, robotic vacuums, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, air quality sensors, air purifiers, and fans. Updates to Matter support streamline developer integration, ensuring a smoother experience in line with core spec updates. Full Matter 1.2 support in the SmartThings mobile app will come later this summer. Follow the SmartThings blog to stay updated on the latest around Matter support.  Device Control Plus Galaxy users will appreciate the convenience of the new Device Control feature, which allows easier access, navigation, and control of their smart home devices without interrupting their lives.  Here’s why. Device cards are bigger to show you more controls for home devices, and you can select devices to create your own home control page. Then, you will have greater ability to control the smart home device, including adjusting TV volume or light brightness. On phones and tablets, Device Control can be used right through the quick panel, similar to how users access controls for Bluetooth, WiFi, airplane mode, etc.  SmartThings Energy Enhancements Saving energy is fun with SmartThings Energy’s new features. With the latest update, you can now experience gamified elements including Energy Level and Activity badges. When saving energy effectively through AI Energy Mode, you will receive Samsung Rewards Points that can be used to purchase products on Samsung.com. Earn one Energy Stamp per day for every 400Wh of electricity saved with AI Energy Mode, and each Energy Stamp can be converted to 20 Samsung Rewards Points. SmartThings UX Enhancements One important change in this update is that you can more easily find and quickly control your smart device. We’ve restructured the device tab to display rooms as top-level tabs, so you can effortlessly navigate and efficiently manage devices within each room. Furthermore, an enhanced device search not only helps you find your devices more quickly but also offers search suggestions based on the types of devices you own. In addition, each device plugin provides visualizations that highlight the key features and states of each device. For example, in the case of the smart door lock, a highlighted color indicates whether it is locked or unlocked. Also, if the device’s battery level drops below 15%, an alert appears at the top of the screen, ensuring that essential information is effectively communicated. These updates simplify and improve the management of smart home devices. Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings U.S., said, “This expansion of platform offerings is another step toward creating more seamless routines and providing greater accessibility for smart home device users.We take immense pride in this update and are excited to see how families will use it to enhance their everyday lives.” Enhance your everyday life and download the SmartThings app and activate SmartThings Energy today! Read more about our new updates HERE.

Tesla and Samsung have partnered to integrate Tesla Solar and Powerwall products into the SmartThings Energy platform. Tesla Energy customers can now manage their home’s energy usage, storage, and production all from the convenience of the SmartThings app. The SmartThings app can now display information about energy production, storage and usage for Tesla products such as Tesla Powerwall, Tesla Solar Inverter and the Tesla Wall Connector. Why Integrate Your Tesla Products with SmartThings Energy? Here’s how this integration helps you to be a more conscious energy consumer: Increase energy insights:  By enabling Tesla notifications in the SmartThings app, you can receive home energy notifications from the Tesla app on your Samsung TV, providing more access to your solar production, backup duration, and home energy usage. Smart energy management: Tesla notifications on your Samsung devices provide up-to-date information on energy consumption in your home, helping you make smarter decisions to extend your backup duration, such as turning off high-energy usage devices like dishwashers or dryers. Better prepare for power outages: During extreme weather, Tesla Powerwall owners can receive alerts through their connected Samsung TVs and mobile devices, in addition to the Tesla app. When a power outage occurs, the Powerwall automatically detects the outage and instantly powers your home with stored backup energy. If a storm is forecasted, Storm Watch automatically charges your Powerwall to ensure you’re prepared. How to Connect Tesla in the SmartThings App Now that you understand the benefits, connect Tesla in the SmartThings app: Download and Install the Apps Ensure you have the latest versions of both the Tesla and SmartThings apps. Sign in or create accounts in both apps. Connect Your Tesla Site(s) to SmartThings Navigate to the SmartThings main screen and tap the “Life” icon. Navigate to the SmartThings Energy card. Select the the ⋮ symbol at the top right of your screen. Select “Link to Partners”. Click on the Tesla Energy icon and connect the accounts.  Take Full Advantage of the Tesla Integration Through Notifications and Automations Here’s how you can make the most of the notification and automation features available: Enable notifications. Turn on Storm Watch and Off-Grid notifications in the SmartThings app to receive notifications in your app or on your Samsung TV if a storm is forecasted for your area or if your site(s) go off-grid. These notifications can help you make better decisions on when to avoid using high-energy devices like dishwashers or dryers. Here’s how to set up notifications: Navigate to the SmartThings main screen and tap the “Menu” icon. Tap “Notifications”, and click on the ⋮ symbol to expand your Notifications options. Tap “Notification settings”. Set your listed Tesla products to “On”. Set up automations. Create automation rules for your Tesla products, such as reducing power when the Powerwall switches to Off-Grid mode or prioritizing charging for maximum backup power. These automations help manage the energy consumption in your home. Here’s how to set up automations: Navigate to the SmartThings main screen and tap the “Life” icon. Navigate to the SmartThings Energy card. Tap the “Save” icon at the bottom of the screen. Follow the steps in Battery Backup Mode to set up your automation rules. Note: Notification and automation features require a stable internet connection. Ready to Take Control Of Your Home’s Energy?  Get started today by integrating your Tesla Solar and Powerwall products with SmartThings Energy and experience the future of smart home energy management. Connecting and automating your Tesla Solar and Powerwall products with SmartThings helps you maintain a sustainable and efficient home and reduce your carbon footprint. Click here to navigate to the Tesla integration within the SmartThings app. Share your experience using the Tesla and SmartThings integration. #DoTheSmartThings