News | SmartThings

SmartThings Labs Opens its Doors for Advanced Feature Testing

February 9, 2021 / SmartThings / No Comments

SmartThings continues to enhance the user experience and we are pleased to officially unveil SmartThings Labs.

SmartThings Labs is an added service within the current SmartThings app, offering advanced access to upcoming features for consumers to test ahead of official release. SmartThings Labs also includes features such as providing real-time feedback directly to engineers and compatibility with other Works with SmartThings devices.

To kick off the debut of SmartThings Labs, users will be able to test the following services:

Universal Remote control: Control multiple devices on a single screen, scrolling through different connected devices
Virtual Switch: Create switches that can be used in scenes and automation without buying actual devices
TV Quick Control: Add TV Control widget on the notification panel and lock screen on your phone.
Device as a Bluetooth Keyboard: Users can key input into their televisions and accompanying apps through a Bluetooth keyboard. Make typing on any device a breeze.

SmartThings Labs features seamlessly integrates into Works With SmartThings devices. Users simply open up the SmartThings app, tap the menu bar within, select SmartApps, and finally, tap on the “More” menu to select SmartThings Labs to be automatically connected to features that are currently being tested. Along with the four above-mentioned features, there will be a total of eight features available in the US, and seven in Korea. Among the upcoming features, users will have the ability to use old Galaxy devices as monitors and cameras as part of Samsung’s upcycling program.

For more information about SmartThings Labs or to learn how to join the program, please visit: https://www.smartthings.com/partners/smartthings-labs

Wishes Granted with Genie and SmartThings

January 21, 2021 / SmartThings / No Comments

In 1954 the Genie® garage door opener became the world’s first mass-produced radio-controlled garage door opener remote. Fast forward over half a century, Genie granted wishes to consumers allowing them to monitor their garage door from anywhere with its Aladdin Connect® Enabled Smart Garage Door Openers. Now, Genie makes its next innovative leap by becoming a Works With SmartThings certified partner, joining SmartThings powerful connected ecosystem.

Similar to SmartThings commitment to bringing smart functionality and capabilities everywhere consumers want it to be, Genie is committed to putting the homeowner first with the next generation of innovations.

Through Genie’s Aladdin Connect and SmartThings, homeowners can receive real-time alerts and open and close their garage door from anywhere in the world with their smartphone. Now, SmartThings users can tell their smart speaker to open or close the garage door, set up a geo-tag to recognize entry to the driveway so the door will open, and many other easy to use smart options, putting users in control of how they gain or grant access to their home.

Further, the SmartThings integration grants autonomous features, like automatically closing the garage door after a set amount of minutes, or incorporating into a SmartThings Scene to shut down when a connected home is headed into night mode. Other safety features include automatically opening the garage door if smoke is detected in the home, and notifying and opening itself if CO levels reach a dangerous threshold.

Building on our recent integration with Mercedes-Benz, we’re enhancing the car-to-home and home-to-car experiences with new features that will launch in the coming months. Through SmartThings, users will soon be able to enable a garage door to open, start their car, and eventually set the car to back itself out. According to research, 3 out of every 4 homeowners with garages use their garage daily. Given that the majority of homeowners use the garage as the primary entrance to their home, the garage door is a critical part of a smart home system. We’re thrilled for the tens of millions of Genie users to enhance their connected homes and join the SmartThings family.

Feel Safe at Home in the New Year with Arlo

January 8, 2021 / SmartThings / No Comments

In our ongoing quest to enhance our ecosystem of compatible devices, we are pleased to announce a new version of the Works With SmartThings integration, built in partnership with Arlo. The integration rounds out our portfolio of home security products by letting you connect to any Arlo device¹, including their latest security products.

Beyond adding support for more Arlo devices, this new integration enhances the overall user experience with improved stability and reduced latency so you can get faster access to your camera recordings or video doorbell feed. Users will still be able to enjoy the same features they most commonly use, such as turning all Arlo cameras on/off when arming/disarming the SmartThings Home Monitor, or using the Arlo camera sound sensor to trigger a siren or get lights to turn on, and more.

The process is simple to integrate Arlo with SmartThings, and users will be able to leverage powerful Automations and Scenes to create rich personalized connected home experiences. For example, keeping an eye on the nursery from your Samsung TV with an Arlo Baby camera, or connecting your Arlo video doorbell to answer the door from your Samsung Family Hub fridge.

During this new normal where we spend a lot more time at home, we are committed to bringing smart functionality and capabilities everywhere you want it to be, and partnerships like Arlo help us meet your needs of personalizing your home — whether it’s giving you peace of mind that your home is protected inside and out, or bringing you the convenience of knowing exactly when your packages arrive.

¹ Arlo Go and Audio Doorbell are not supported by the integration.

Samsung SmartThings and Google Join Forces to Enhance Smart Homes With Nest Integration

December 8, 2020 / SmartThings / No Comments

New integration allows SmartThings users to control Nest devices

Today we announced a partnership with Google, bringing the company’s portfolio of Nest products into SmartThings, one of the largest IoT ecosystems. Through the integration, Google Nest devices, including thermostats, cameras and doorbells, will be “Works With SmartThings” (WWST) certified, allowing users to seamlessly control their smart homes through SmartThings.

For the first time, SmartThings users will be able to adjust a Nest thermostat, view live camera feeds from outdoor Nest cameras and hear who is at the door with Nest Hello, all through their smart devices. SmartThings users can also incorporate Nest devices into their current WWST-certified devices to create Scenes and automated experiences, controlling the functions with simple voice commands or through the SmartThings app. Soon, users will be able to stream right from their Nest devices directly to their Samsung TV or Family Hub fridge.

SmartThings technology powers endless possibilities for enhancing everyday life. Scenes can seamlessly adjust the lighting. Automations can signal to a Nest thermostat when it’s time to adjust the temperature or if a window is open. It can set the optimal temperature for a baby’s nap or even a home alone pet, taking into consideration details such as its fur length. Users can also activate outdoor and indoor lights ahead of arriving home.

“SmartThings technology continues to enhance and improve the way we experience smart living. We’re pleased to further strengthen our partnership with Google and integrate Nest into our portfolio to offer users more ways to control and automate their home,” said Ralf Elias, Global Vice President IoT / Business Development & Partnerships at Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to creating a universal system where all smart home devices can work cohesively together.”

Following the recent SmartThings IoT integration with Mercedes-Benz, this partnership with Google represents the next step in SmartThings’ commitment to technology innovation and to working with third parties to create a universal smart home standard. The company is focused on simplifying smart technology development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers.

SmartThings technology will be available on Google Nest products starting in January 2021.

SmartThings Find – Keeping Everything You Care About Accounted For

November 26, 2020 / SmartThings / No Comments

Tech of today no longer works alone. Smart applications have become engrossed in multitudes of different devices, including watches, phones, headphones, televisions, and more. They all work together, so if one of them is missing, users can lose out on features.

We’re thrilled to introduce SmartThings Find, a tool used to locate missing Galaxy devices, all through the SmartThings app! Leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies to locate smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and earbuds – even down to each individual bud – SmartThings Find is the tool you’ve been waiting for.

SmartThings users will complete a brief registration process to link their devices together. Through the SmartThings app, all devices are organized in one place, making it as simple as tapping the device you are looking for to bring up information on its location.

What if your device lost its battery power, or is in a location where there is no service like a basement? With SmartThings Find, offline no longer means “offline”! SmartThings users now have the option to use their device to securely locate an offline one. When a device has been “offline” (either dead, or in a dead zone) for 30 minutes, a BLE signal is released that can then be found by other devices as well. But – it does not just stop with friends. If you report a device missing, ANY Galaxy tablet or phone can opt in to help you.

In addition, SmartThings Find offers features like the ability to ping a device when searching for it in a room or specific area, and also integrates map directions so you can get the precise location. There is also an AR feature for nearby searching, which will display different color hues as you are getting closer to the device, perfect for being stuck in hard to reach or see places. SmartThings Find is available for all Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and other devices running Android 8 or later.

“Hey Mercedes!” Welcome to one of the World’s Largest IoT Ecosystems

November 2, 2020 / SmartThings / No Comments

Our ecosystem continues to grow and we’re pleased to share that SmartThings will power Mercedes-Benz’s latest smart home function, giving drivers and passengers unprecedented ability to use their vehicle as a control center for the home. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the first native in-car voice assistant system to be integrated into a smart home platform. We’re thrilled to offer drivers, as well as passengers, remote connectivity to thousands of intelligent devices made by hundreds of brands supported by SmartThings’ open IoT ecosystem.

Recognizing the evolution of IoT, this announcement is the first of several showcasing our strategy to take a technology-first approach, to bring smart functionality and capabilities everywhere consumers want to be. Car-to-home experiences represent yet another step in creating a universal smart home standard while simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers.

By unlocking the vast power of the SmartThings platform, Mercedes-Benz customers will enjoy first-of-their-kind capabilities when they leave their house or are heading home after a long day at work. Drivers and passengers can seamlessly connect and control many aspects of their home environment including lights, locks, thermostats, electric outlets, garage door openers, sensors, and home security systems, all through Mercedes-Benz’s integrated voice assistant. Using natural language, such as “Hey Mercedes, did I forget to turn off my lights at home?” to “Hey Mercedes, is anyone at home?”, the MBUX Voice Assistant minimizes distraction, allowing drivers to focus on the road in front of them and know that everything is alright at home. Additionally, passengers in the rear seats can also enjoy the full scope of the smart home integration and interact with their smart homes.

SmartThings unlocks endless possibilities of connectivity from within the car and while inside the home. From monitoring an elderly loved one to being alerted about a grocery item when you’re driving by a store, SmartThings’ integration with Mercedes-Benz adds to the robust features of the luxury car. Bridging the gap between car and home, SmartThings offers the reliability that drivers trust. SmartThings technology will be available in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, starting with the S-Class, beginning in 2021.

SmartThings and Aeotec – A Connected Family

October 16, 2020 / SmartThings / No Comments

SmartThings is forging ahead with plans to accelerate the creation of an open IoT ecosystem powered by its technology. Earlier this year, we shared our plans to partner with companies that are leaders in the smart-home-automation space to manufacture and distribute SmartThings compatible hardware. We are pleased to announce that SmartThings and Aeotec are expanding our partnership in both the United States and European markets, furthering the innovative SmartThings portfolio in over 200 countries.

Aeotec Group has been a valued Works With SmartThings (WWST) partner for many years, as well as a recognized leader in design and development of SmartHome devices. Now, Aeotec and their European partner company, Z-Wave Europe GmbH, will add a “Works As a SmartThings Hub” (WASH) device, new sensors, cameras, and other Zigbee devices to its offerings. Beginning in Q1 2021, SmartThings and Aeotec will conduct joint activities to incentivize upgrades, including special offers for long-time SmartThings customers. Together with Aeotec, we are committed to maintaining, extending, and enhancing our portfolio for customers around the world.

What does this mean for customers? SmartThings will continue to provide lasting support to current device and platform users. While moving forward, Aeotec Group will support their hardware with the same standard our customers have come to expect. New customers with the Aeotec Smart Home Hub will be able to leverage the powerful SmartThings automations to create rich smart home experiences with our WWST products. This includes everything from the Aeotec Sensors to Buttons and Cams.

With more than 63 million active users – and growing each day – SmartThings’ evolution beyond these hubs and sensors allows us to focus on innovating and creating differentiated experiences. We are committed to working with partners to bring smart home functionality and capabilities everywhere consumers want to be, spanning over 5,000 devices including mobile phones, appliances, TVs, and more.

Our strategy as an open platform is to leverage leading hardware manufacturers to integrate our technology into new product lines – adding to the thousands of Samsung and WWST certified devices found in millions of homes. Aeotec has been a partner of SmartThings since 2013, and together have grown alongside one another to help build up SmartThings as the dominant smart home player.

Our partnership builds upon Aeotec’s world-class experience and commitment to quality in manufacturing smart home devices. We are pleased to collaborate with a company that customers trust and excited to continue bringing SmartThings into every home around the world.

#GetToKnowYourCustomersDay Sweepstakes Rules

January 18, 2017 / SmartThings / 3 Comments

Official Rules: 2017 SmartThings Giveaway

THIS PROMOTION IS A SWEEPSTAKES. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. THE PROMOTION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner.

Product Changes for 2017

January 13, 2017 / SmartThings / 88 Comments

At SmartThings we’ve always prided ourselves on being open and honest with our community–and sometimes that hurts. To be as transparent as possible, we’d rather tell you the good (and the bad) when we can. With that said, we have several unpleasant announcements:

Migration Tool
In 2014, we announced the SmartThings v2 Hub as the next generation Hub to replace our initial Kickstarter product. At that time, we were hard at work on a “migration tool” to help users who wanted to transition from the original Hub to the newer model. Unfortunately, after several false starts, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not feasible to reliably transfer settings and devices from the first version Hub to the newer model. With that, we are no longer planning to deliver a Hub v1 to Hub v2 migration tool.

We regret that we can’t deliver on our initial promise, but in order to release a migration tool we needed it to deliver a great experience. We found it would be extremely difficult to automatically exclude and shift devices to the new Hub, and we’re unable to meet the expectations we set. Our goal is to always deliver the best mix of features and customer experience, and we regret that we’re letting some of our most loyal customers down.

Windows Phone App
We also regret to announce that version 1.7.0 of the SmartThings app for Windows Phone will be the last major release for the Windows Phone OS. We are no longer able to provide the desired level of updates and support for this platform and have made the tough decision to discontinue Windows phone development.

Version 1.7.0 now offers support for Windows 10 features. Barring unforeseen issues, this version will continue to function (with Windows Phone 10 Anniversary update). On April 1, 2017 version 1.7.0 will be removed from the Windows app store, and it will no longer be possible to download it and install it onto a new device. We will continue to offer technical support through June 2017 for existing users.

SmartApp Curation
Finally, over the next few months, we will be removing SmartApps from the Marketplace that are no longer updated or supported by their developers. We will notify, where possible, the SmartApp developer beforehand, and help existing SmartApp users find alternatives.

SmartThings did not make any of these decisions lightly, and we understand that we are disappointing some of our users. However, these changes allow us to continue to focus on other products and services to help the whole of our community.

Schlage giveaway Rules

December 17, 2016 / SmartThings / No Comments

Official Rules: 2016 SmartThings Giveaway

Category: News