Recent Articles

February 24, 2015

New Compatible Devices

We're excited to announce that five new devices are now compatible with the SmartThings open platform. Each of these new devices will now appear in the SmartThings app under the Things category of SmartSetup. To connect them to your SmartThings Hub and account, simply tap "Connect New Device" in SmartSetup. Connected Cree LED Bulb Recently named one of the world's 50-most innovative companies by Fast Company, Cree's connected LED bulb can be now automated, controlled, and monitored directly from the SmartThings app. The bulb has an estimated yearly cost of only $1.27, and will save homeowners and renters an average of $127 on electricity bills during its 25,000-hour lifetime. Best of all, with a cost of $14.97 at most Home Depot stores, the Connected Cree LED Bulb is just about the most affordable smart bulb on the market.   Fibaro Motion Sensor The Fibaro Motion sensor is a Z-Wave device that will notify SmartThings customers whenever there's unexpected motion in their home, while also monitoring temperature, light, and acceleration. The device features an LED indicator on the front, and can illuminate different colors depending on whether motion or acceleration is detected. With a diameter of just 44-millimeters, its small size and sleek white frame will simultaneously blend in to the background of your home, while also keeping an eye on it.   Fibaro Door/Window Sensor The Fibaro Door/Window sensor is a SmartThings-compatible Z-Wave device that can send you a notification when a door, window, cabinet, safe, garage door, or other object is opened or closed. By integrating the Fibaro Door/Window sensor with your SmartThings setup, you can do things like know when kids come home from school and automatically turn on the lights, be alerted if there's unexpected entry in your home and trigger an alarm to blare, secure dangerous or off-limit areas of your home like cleaning supply cabinets, and gain peace of mind by knowing when people come and go.   Fibaro Flood Sensor The Fibaro Flood sensor is a SmartThings-compatible Z-Wave device that can detect water and send you an immediate alert on your smartphone if moisture is detected where it doesn't belong. It can also measure temperature and send you notifications if the temperature rises above or drops below a certain level. By integrating the Fibaro Flood sensor with SmartThings, you can do things like automatically shut off a water valve if there's a leak, ring an alarm to notify you of a little water before it becomes a big problem, or automatically turn on a space heater or window A/C unit in response to unexpectedly hot or cold temperatures in areas of your home like a basement or study. WeMo Smart LED Bulb The WeMo Smart LED Bulb is a SmartThings-compatible ZigBee bulb that can be connected directly to your SmartThings Hub without the need for the WeMo Link bridge. In addition to being able to turn your lights on and off remotely, you can also dim and brighten this bulb. SmartThings customers can turn their WeMo lights on and off from anywhere to make it look like they're home, adjust them to set the mood, or automate them to come on and off at set times or when different events occur (such as a person arriving home or motion ceasing in a room). The WeMo Smart LED bulb has an average annual cost of just $1.14 and an average life expectancy of 23 years–so you may want to include it in your will. Here is a list of all products that have been tested by SmartThings and verified as compatible.  
December 18, 2014

Christmas Fun with SmartThings, hue, & Sonos

Earlier this month, we showcased 12 fun ways to use SmartThings this season in a series we called Smart Home for the Holidays. Today, we're shining the spotlight on Chris to see how he plans on using SmartThings, Philips hue, and Sonos to surprise his kids on Christmas morning. (more…)
September 29, 2014

Ring The Alarm

When smoke is detected in a customer's bedroom, the fire department races over to check on the potential blaze. The homeowner wasn't able to greet the crew at the door, but SmartThings was. (more…)
July 2, 2014

4th of July Spotlight: The GE Outdoor Power Outlet

With the 4th of July weekend just a few days away, we wanted to highlight a device that makes going outside and enjoying backyard BBQs and fireworks a breeze: the GE Outdoor Power Outlet. Part security, part convenience, and part outdoor party-starter, this dark and handsome stallion is a triple threat. What it Does: A smart home should extend beyond your front door. That's where this guy comes in. Perfect for summertime, nighttime, or anytime, this weather-resistant device plugs into any standard outlet and lets you automate and control your outdoor lights, electronics, and small appliances from anywhere using your smartphone. [pullquote]A smart home should extend beyond your front door. That's where this guy comes in."[/pullquote] You can also set up the GE Outdoor Power Outlet to automatically trigger what's plugged in to it to turn on or off when various actions occur (ie: people arriving, motion detected, doors opening, etc.). Setup: The GE Outdoor Power Outlet is found under the "Switches & Dimmers" category of the SmartSetup section of the app. By tapping on it, you can browse a list of popular use cases and then easily set them up by following a few quick prompts: Favorite Ways to Use the GE Outdoor Power Outlet: Light By plugging in an outdoor light near your front walk or driveway to the GE Power Outlet, you can easily... • Set lights to come on when you approach your home (by using either a SmartSense Presence sensor or by carrying your smartphone) and then to turn off several minutes later. Pretty cool to see your outdoor lights come on as you roll in to the driveway. • Turn your lights on and off based on a set schedule. • Turn lights on and off when motion is detected (if you have an Aeon Multi-Sensor). In addition to conveniently lighting your path to the front or back door, this option provides a great security measure against intruders. • Trigger lights to come on when you open a door. Have a door that leads out to your patio or deck? Easy. And super convenient. Temperature Porches and outdoor spaces can get a little sweaty in the summer. Cool down with this idea using the GE Outdoor Power Outlet... • Go to the "Green Living" category of "More" in SmartSetup to configure "Virtual Thermostat." By following the prompts, you can trigger a fan (or any electronic, for that matter) to automatically turn on if the temperature exceeds a certain threshold. Want to get fancy? If you have an Aeon Multi-Sensor, you can set up "Virtual Thermostat" to automatically turn on a fan or appliance if the temperature reaches a certain threshold and there's motion detected – like, if you're outside grilling or chilling in a hammock. Parties If the Hub is the "brain" of the SmartThings family, the GE Outdoor Power Outlet is the fun younger sibling who's always always down to hit up a happy hour. And maybe do a keg stand. Here are three ways it can get the party started at your next outdoor gathering: • Anyone who's ever hosted an outdoor party knows it's a chore to have to shuttle inside to the kitchen every time someone wants another margarita. Solution: Bring the blender outside, plug it into the GE Power Outlet and let friends make their own drinks. Or even cooler: Whip up a pitcher from across the yard with a simple tap of a button in your SmartThings app. • A party without music is like a bike without wheels. Bring your stereo or speakers outdoors and control it from anywhere using your smartphone. • Assuming your shindig lingers into the evening, create a little ambiánce (French?) by turning on overhead string lights that are plugged into the GE Power Outlet directly from the SmartThings app.