The SmartThings Blog

Earlier this month, Reviewed.com talked with SmartThings CEO Alex Hawkinson to hear about the new SmartThings Hub, lineup of sensors, and app experience. Here's a rundown of what's new and improved (more…)

After a long swim across the pond, we're happy to announce that SmartThings has now landed in the UK and Ireland! (more…)

We’re excited to announce that the next generation of the Samsung SmartThings Hub, a new lineup of products, and a brand-new SmartThings app experience is available today. Our mission has always been to create the easiest way for people to turn their home into a smart home. In fact, we started SmartThings out of a desire to know the answer to a basic but deeply personal question: is everything OK in my home.  We believe our latest product evolution delivers on this ambition. Here's a look at what's new and improved: The New Samsung SmartThings Hub and Sensors The new Hub enables video streaming, has battery backup that lasts up to 10 hours, and can run certain functions locally to improve performance and continue to operate without an internet connection. The Hub will continue to support ZigBee, Z-Wave, and local internet connected devices. Two USB ports and embedded Bluetooth will support future expansion. The new collection of Samsung SmartThings sensors are now smaller and have been redesigned with a sleeker, more contemporary look to fit seamlessly into the background of your home. The New SmartThings App Experience The free SmartThings app has been redesigned for easier navigation and a more intuitive experience.  You can now directly organize and control your connected devices by room, view live streaming from cameras, quickly set up and run routines, explore the marketplace of nearly 200 devices now compatible with SmartThings, and so much more. One of the exciting new features of the SmartThings app experience is Smart Home Monitor– an integrated home monitoring solution. Smart Home Monitor allows you to receive alerts and take action when SmartThings detects unwanted entry or motion, smoke or fire, leaks, or other important activity. Existing customers will be able to configure Smart Home Monitor from their dashboard within 24 hours after downloading the updated app. With Smart Home Monitor, our Hub version 2, and a connected camera, you can also get instant alerts with an accompanying video-clip when these unexpected events occur.  Video buffering in the new hub means clips can start prior to the event so you can see exactly what is happening in your home. Video clips will eventually be a premium feature within Smart Home Monitor but are available in beta as a free trial through 2015. After the free trial, a premium version of Smart Home Monitor, which includes video clips, will be available for $4.99 per month. Live streaming will always be free. The new SmartThings app will be available for free download on iOS and Android starting today, with Apple Watch, and Gear S apps to follow. Be sure to check out our post for a more in-depth look at the app’s new features. We would like to extend our heart-felt thanks to our customers, supporters, and developer community. Your commitment, feedback, and ideas are what make our open platform truly special. We hope you you enjoy the new SmartThings experience.    

In addition to unveiling the new SmartThings Hub and lineup of sensors today, we're also really excited to pull back the curtains on a brand-new app experience. The free SmartThings app has been redesigned for easier navigation and a more intuitive experience. (more…)

We're excited to announce that SmartThings is now compatible with Amazon Echo! (more…)

We’re excited to let you know that the new generation of the Samsung SmartThings Hub will be available to purchase in early September, and that starting today, you will be able to pre-order the new Hub in our Shop, on Samsung.com, and on Amazon. (more…)

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. Here’s a brief look at each product: Zen Thermostat Close your eyes, inhale deeply, and focus on achieving total climate nirvana while saving energy with this drop-dead gorgeous smart home thermostat. This new integration allows you to control and automate the Zen thermostat directly from the free SmartThings app. The thermostat's LED screen provides clear and simple feedback, with icons that only display when they're required. It's available in black or white to blend in seamlessly to your home's aesthetic. GE Plug-In Smart Switch Like the SmartPower Outlet, the GE Plug-In Smart Switch is a portable, pluggable ZigBee outlet can turn lamps, electronics, or small appliances into a "smart" device that you can control and automate from the SmartThings app. From the free SmartThings app, you'll be able to see if you've left any lights or electronics on after you've left, turn things on or off from anywhere, and set lights and electronics to automatically turn on or off when different things happen–like when people enter a room or leave home. GE Plug-In Smart Dimmer The GE Plug-In Smart Dimmer is a portable pluggable device that provides the same controllable and programmable functionality as the GE Plug-In Smart Switch, but it also lets you dim or brighten lights to your preference. By plugging in lights, small appliances, and electronics to this ZigBee dimmer, you'll be able to control them from anywhere, automate them to turn on or off when different things happen, and manually dim or brighten lights–all from the free SmartThings app. GE In-Wall Smart Switch This in-wall light switch allows you to control and automate overhead lights and ceiling fans from anywhere using the free SmartThings app, while also letting you manually control it by tapping the switch directly. The ZigBee switch utilizes your home's existing wiring. It easily replaces your old light switch and integrates seamlessly with 2-way and 3-way systems.     GE-In Wall Smart Dimmer Like the GE In-Wall Switch, this ZigBee device allows you to control and automate overhead lights and ceiling fans from anywhere, but it also lets you brighten and dim overhead lights to match your preferences. The ZigBee switch utilizes your home's existing wiring. It easily replaces your old light switch and integrates seamlessly with 2-way and 3-way systems.

We just published 5 more SmartApps in the “More” section of SmartSetup. (more…)

While it may be directly across the street from Boston Common, Jeremy's Beantown apartment is anything but ordinary. Come on in and see how he's using SmartThings to control his lights, automate his lock, protect his home from water damage, and enhance his entertainment system. (more…)

We just published 4 new SmartApps in the “More” section of SmartSetup. (more…)