The SmartThings Blog

What happens when you combine the power of Nintendo + SmartThings? This. (more…)

Earlier this year we announced that we’ll soon unveil the next generation of the SmartThings Hub and several sensors. We wanted to provide a quick update on our progress to date. (more…)

We’ve just released an updated version of the SmartThings Android app, and it’s now available for free download in the Google Play store. (more…)

Creating a smarter, healthier planet starts at home. Through 11:59 p.m. EST on March 31, we're taking $30 off the price of the SmartThings Energy Saver Kit and offering it for just $169. There's no promo code necessary: Simply add it to your cart in the SmartThings Shop, and the $30 savings will automatically be applied at checkout. We think that lights should be smarter. They currently account for nearly 35% of a home's energy usage, and they have a big impact on our planet–which just experienced the warmest winter on record. The Energy Saver Kit helps you live green and save some green by allowing you to control, monitor, and automate lights, electronics, and small appliances from your smartphone. By ensuring that your lights are off when no one is in the room or by setting your electronics to shut off when not in use, you can slash your energy bill and help contribute to a healthier planet. Here are a few more things you can do with the Energy Saver Kit: Control & monitor your lights, electronics, and small appliances from anywhere. Restrict electricity flow to electronics or appliances after a set period of time. So, for example, you can set the total time for an appliance (such as a curling iron or TV) to be in use. Set devices to turn off after you or your kids leave to avoid having to worry about them or check them. Power your portable or window A/C units (12A max load) from anywhere and, with the help of a Multi sensor, also triggering them to automatically shut off or turn on if rooms in your home reach a set temperature.  

When Sid and Kokil first moved to their new neighborhood, they heard some strange noises from the surrounding hills late at night. They turned to SmartThings to help monitor and secure their home from unwanted visitors–including the wild coyotes in the area (eek!). (more…)

Inspired by how another customer is using SmartThings with his young children, David describes how he and his wife are using SmartThings to control their home's temperature, automate their lights, and stay connected to their two young sons. (more…)

Susan bought SmartThings because she wanted to keep an eye on her home when she goes out of town. She never expected that SmartThings would help her catch a burglar in action. Check out how a SmartThings setup that cost less than $200 helped notify Susan that something was wrong, identify the intruder, and keep the police safe–all from nearly 700 miles away. (more…)

The weather can always keep you guessing, but thanks to an ingenious creation from a member of the SmartThings Community, it doesn't have to. Check out how Jim is using SmartThings to visually show what the forecast has in store for him each day at his home's exact location. (more…)

Grab some quarters, take off your shoes, and check out how Jordan and his girlfriend Tracy are using SmartThings to turn their home into a gamer's dream. (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. 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.