Category: Spotlight

SmartThings Partner Spotlight: How Aeotec Keeps Customers Connected

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

Home Control with Google Pixel and Android Wear devices

Samsung SmartThings and Google have teamed up to bring you Home Control with Google Pixel and Android Wear devices! SmartThings is the only complete smart home platform to work with Home Control. Now you can control many of your SmartThings devices with the Google Assistant. Just speak a command to your Pixel phone or Wear device to interact with SmartThings, from dimming the lights in your living room to turning on the porch light.

While voice control using Google Home is fun, the power comes when you’re on the go. Control your home from your wrist or mobile phone wherever you happen to be in the world. Check that things are safe and secure, adjust your lights, change the temperature, or any number of other convenient controls.

Imagine you just received a message that a family member is heading home early, you can just say “Ok Google, set the thermostat to 70.” and make sure they come home to a warm house. If you want to make sure they don’t have to fumble for the lights when they come in just say “Hey Google, turn on all the lights in the living room.”

Ran out the door last minute and not sure if you turned off that one last light? Just ask Google to turn off the lights and enjoy the rest of your day without worrying about it. Perhaps you’re all settled in for the night and you realize the lights downstairs are still on, Google and SmartThings can take care of that, no need to get up!

It’s never been easier to control your smart home than with Google Home Control and SmartThings. It’s in the palm of your hand (or on your wrist!) no matter where you are, and with dozens of SmartThings supported devices you have a wide range of flexibility to grow your smart house.

Turning the light on is simple: just say “Hey Google!”

4th of July Spotlight: The GE Outdoor Power Outlet

ge-outdoor6With 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…

output_kwxsmc• 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…

200-1Go 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.

tumblr_mowty9aFDT1ssoyl0o1_500• 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.