The SmartThings Blog

Chances are, you’ve been experiencing some of the hottest weeks of the summer and are thinking about how to better manage your home’s energy use to save money on your utility bills. The good news is that SmartThings Energy offers many features that allow you to take advantage of automation to become a more efficient energy consumer. Flex Connect, available in California and New York, is one example of how SmartThings Energy’s AI Energy Mode feature automates user devices to help them save energy.  With Flex Connect, Earn a Reward for Helping Out the Grid The recently released Flex Connect program, a demand response initiative powered by SmartThings Energy, offers residents in New York and California a smarter way to save energy. By signing up for the Flex Connect program and connecting your smart home devices to the SmartThings app, you can earn a reward for helping the energy grid. All it takes is entering your zip code to see if you qualify to get started. How SmartThings Flex Connect Works SmartThings offers functionality that enables eligible users to connect Samsung home appliances, TVs, and other compatible devices through Flex Connect. During peak energy demand periods, these devices automatically reduce their energy usage. For example, when electricity demand surges due to extreme weather, your eligible smart home devices will consume less energy during these peak times.  This reduced strain on the grid helps balance the supply and demand of energy. Residents of California and New York now have even more ways to save energy while earning rewards effortlessly with Flex Connect. Click here to check your eligibility and enroll. How All SmartThings Users Can Take Advantage of SmartThings Energy Energy savings and the ability to earn rewards aren’t just available for New York and California residents. If you have Samsung home appliances, TVs1, and other compatible devices connected to SmartThings, you can take advantage of SmartThings Energy features available today, such as automation and energy usage data. Automations built into SmartThings Energy elevate energy-saving features to a whole new level. For instance, AI Energy Mode is an exciting feature that learns your routines and adjusts your device’s energy usage in real-time. It uses machine learning to detect when your energy use exceeds the targets you’ve set in SmartThings Energy and provides insights into why this happens, so you don’t have to lift a finger (and likely won’t notice the difference). With SmartThings Energy, you can also view energy usage data for all of your paired devices and learn how to optimize energy use in your home. For example, if you forget to turn off a light when you leave for work, you can be notified and turn it off right from the app. Thanks to Electricity Maps’ partnership with SmartThings, you can even see how your energy usage translates to carbon emissions. All of this helps you take control of your energy management.  Even More Ways to Have Fun and Save Energy With SmartThings Built into the latest release, you can now enjoy gamification elements, including earning Energy Stamps, for taking steps towards saving energy with the SmartThings AI Energy Mode feature. Once you’ve leveraged your supported devices in the app, you can earn one Energy Stamp per day for every 400Wh of electricity saved using AI Energy Mode. Each Energy Stamp can be converted into 20 Samsung Rewards Points. You can earn up to one Energy Stamp per day, totaling 365 stamps over the course of a year, which can accumulate to 7,300 Samsung Rewards Points. These points can be used to purchase products on Samsung.com. This is all just scratching the surface of what SmartThings Energy can do for you. #DoTheSmartThings and download the SmartThings app in the Google Play or Apple Store. Activate SmartThings Energy and start living a more sustainable life.

At SmartThings, we’re committed to providing developers with the tools they need to create innovative and seamless smart home experiences. We are excited to introduce our newest addition to the developer toolkit: Works with SmartThings (WWST) Test Suite. The Test Suite is designed to assist our device company partners in certifying their devices as part of the WWST certification process. With Test Suite, developers can easily test SmartThings integrations, get certified faster, and showcase their devices to tens of millions of SmartThings users.   What is the WWST Test Suite? The Test Suite is a comprehensive tool designed specifically for device developers integrating with the SmartThings platform. It provides a unified environment where developers can thoroughly test their products’ capabilities across various scenarios, helping to identify and address potential issues before deployment. Why Should Developers Use the Test Suite? Centralized Testing Environment: With the Test Suite, developers can leverage a centralized testing environment hosted on the SmartThings platform. This eliminates the need to set up complex testing configurations locally, saving time and effort in the testing process. Recently, there has been expanded coverage for 90+ of the most popular “Capabilities” with more planned by the end of the year.  User-Friendly Interface: With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, the Self-Testing Tool ensures a seamless experience for product owners and developers of all levels.  Real-Time Feedback: Receive instant and detailed feedback on your product's compliance status, allowing for quick identification and resolution of any issues. Reduce your Testing Costs: Save money and time on testing with our free and easy-to-use Test Suite for your certification process.  Hear from some of our partners using Test Suite to certify easier and faster than ever. "I think comparing all the processes, SmartThings was probably one of the fastest in terms of total time spent from start to finish." Mark Hollands, LIFX "The SmartThings new console is very easy to use. Compared to others, SmartThings Developer Center is a much more user-friendly interface." James Shurte, Leviton How to get started with the WWST Test Suite Ready to use the Test Suite for your device(s)? Here’s a quick guide to help you get started:  Access the Test Suite Visit the SmartThings Developer Console and navigate to the Test Suite section, which is accessible at SmartThings Developer Console. Set Up Your Testing Environment Test Suite will display a list of available devices connected across your locations. If you do not have any devices connected to the location associated with your developer account, use the SmartThings app to add them.  It’s easy to collaborate with colleagues using Test Suite. You can add team members in the development console and they can check the status of device tests which makes it easy to work together.   Test Scenarios Test Scenarios are automatically generated to test the Capabilities of your device. This reduces the time needed to set up tests and makes your development testing easy.  We know some Capabilities may require more complicated setups; you can select which tests to perform in each session. Tip: Make sure you include them all before submitting for certification to ensure a faster WWST process.  Run Tests Once you have set up your Capabilities, you can start your tests.    Many tests will automatically execute, but certain tests require manual action to be taken. For example, when testing a motion sensor, a motion detection event is required to pass successfully.  These requirements are indicated before and during an active test session. Note that some tests must be completed within a set time or otherwise will be considered a failed test.  Submit your Test Results Once the test is complete, you can use any feedback or insights to iterate on your product and retest if necessary.   Once you’re ready, attach your test results to your WWST certification submission. We will review your test results and assign a Partner Success Manager to help you complete your Works with SmartThings certification. Our new Test Suite tool represents a significant step forward in our commitment to supporting developers and enhancing their experience on the SmartThings platform. By providing a robust testing environment with simulation, automation, and integration capabilities, we aim to empower developers to build high-quality SmartThings integrations with confidence. Are you ready to elevate your SmartThings development experience? Dive into the Test Suite today and unlock new possibilities for your smart home innovations. For support with bulk registrations of your portfolio of products, contact partners@smartthings.com

Do you have cool ideas for SmartThings? Or perhaps you have a driver you’ve been working on that you want to share? We have an exciting challenge for you! The best part? The winners take home a Samsung 55” Frame TV!   We’re launching our first-ever SmartThings Innovation Challenge alongside the 10th Annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) taking place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the San Jose Convention Center.   Our ecosystem thrives on the brilliance of our developer community and this challenge is designed to push the boundaries of innovation. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and potentially shape the future of SmartThings.    Here’s how it works: there are two challenge themes and you can choose one of both to present your idea for a new SmartThings feature, enhancement, or driver. Once we’ve reviewed all submissions, we’ll invite the top 3 finalists from each theme to present their idea to a panel of judges at SDC24. The winners will be announced at the SDC24 after party.      Why Should You Participate in the SmartThings Innovation Challenge? Visibility: Gain visibility for your innovative ideas within Samsung, SmartThings, and our partner ecosystem  Community: Connect with fellow innovators  Support: Potentially secure resources to bring your ideas to life     Win A Samsung Frame TV! The first-place winner in each theme will be awarded a Samsung 55” Frame TV!  Additionally, winners will be celebrated at the SmartThings Partner Reception during SDC24.      SmartThings Innovation Challenge Themes Please review the following themes and directions below to participate.   Propose a new feature or ways to enrich an existing SmartThings feature → Share Your Idea Here  Develop a new driver that enhances user’s abilities and the overall SmartThings experience → Share Your Idea Here    Are you interested in submitting something but feel stuck on what we are looking for? We provided some examples of what a good submission could look like at the end of this post.       How to Participate in the SmartThings Innovation Challenge Submit the SmartThings Innovation Challenge form for your chosen theme by Friday, August 30. Attend the Pre-SDC24 Webinar on Thursday, September 12 to see if you’re a finalist.  Finalists will be invited to present their idea to a panel of judges at the Samsung Developer Conference on Thursday, October 3.   While it’s not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to attend the Pre-SDC24 Webinar. Additionally, all finalists must be onsite at SDC24 to present their idea. Don’t worry, our team will work closely with you to get you ready for your debut.    Send your questions about the SmartThings Innovation Challenge to marketing@smartthings.com.    We look forward to seeing your creative solutions and wish you luck in the challenge!  Challenge Examples Example 1 (after entering your name, company, job title, and email in the form)  Propose a new feature or enhancements to an existing SmartThings feature. A way to gamify SmartThings Map View.  This feature builds off of Map View, the way to visualize your home and all the devices in it. The idea for this enhancement to Map View is to gamify it to encourage more users to see the value in it.  The proposal is to allow users to get points for usage. SmartThings would then give encouraging feedback to SmartThings users for various actions taken, grant badges, and a leaderboard for the community.    What problem does your idea solve? This helps encourage adoption and usage of Map View which enables smart home users to easily see their devices and manage them, and provides a visual overview of their home and devices.  It continues to enhance the SmartThings experience.   Who is the target audience? Users who want to view a map of the devices within their home Prospective smart home users who may not know how to get started.  How does your idea make smart homes more accessible? By increasing usage of Map View through gamification, this ultimately makes it easier for current smart home users to see all of their smart devices at a glance. It also encourages them to purchase additional devices and see the opportunities in smart home living Gamifying Map View can make managing a smart home more enjoyable and appeals to users who are more visually inclined. What technical requirements would be needed to implement your idea? Some technical requirements include: The need for the SmartThings platform to recognize and assign events to user behavior like uploading a user’s floor plan, a hand-drawn sketch, and device usage data. Some kind of point system based on user behavior events An ability to assign badges when a SmartThings user reaches a certain point threshold A way for the SmartThings platform to compare points between users in the community The need for the SmartThings platform to know which room each device is in Ability to detect status of each device Ability to handle events from each device  Example 2 Note: This example is of an official SmartThings driver we have in our main driver channel.  This one exists already, but serves as an example of a driver submission.   (after entering your name, company, job title, and email in the form)  Introduce your new driver. This is a driver to connect Zigbee water leak sensors to the SmartThings platform.  This driver provides supported capabilities including a water sensor, temperature alarm, temperature measurement, and battery indicator.  Upon a water leak, the driver will trigger an alert.  It also reports the current temperature and can trigger an alarm on excessive heat or water freeze if the device supports it.  What problem does your driver solve? It expands the SmartThings ecosystem by connecting Zigbee water leak sensors across multiple brands. Who is the target audience? SmartThings users who want to detect water leaks with a Zigbee device.  How does your driver make smart homes more accessible? It adds an additional device category to smart homes and helps people who need the ability to monitor water leaks.   Share the channel to your driver.  Channel Link → (https://bestow-regional.api.smartthings.com/invite/eGM6w1AGNm2A) Github Repository → (https://github.com/SmartThingsCommunity/SmartThingsEdgeDrivers/tree/main/drivers/SmartThings/zigbee-water-leak-sensor)

Curious about all the ways you can integrate with SmartThings? Or looking to connect with other developers in the Samsung and SmartThings ecosystem? We can help with that! We are thrilled to announce the 10th Annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC), taking place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the San Jose Convention Center. This year's conference promises to be an incredible event filled with SmartThings latest technology, networking, and learning opportunities. Join us, be inspired, and get excited—register here today!  What You Can Expect at SDC24 An exciting Keynote with announcements from Samsung & SmartThings Technical sessions diving deeper into main developer topics Interactive exhibits to try out new technology Networking opportunities with other developers and the SmartThings team Code Labs  …all across the platforms of SmartThings, Bixby, Knox, and Tizen.   Why should you attend SDC24? Learn How to Get the Most out of SmartThings Developer Center – We’ll announce the latest updates to our Developer Center and other areas of the SmartThings platform. Plus, dive deeper into developer topics at our informative tech sessions.  Engage in Powerful Networking – Connect with colleagues and industry leaders during meetups and networking events to foster collaboration.  Discover What’s Ahead – Indulge in a variety of impactful topics, including Samsung’s latest advancements in AI and cutting-edge technology. Delve into interactive exhibits and innovative keynotes that highlight the future of tech and how it shapes our world. Want to know more? Click here to view highlights from last year’s SDC.    Important Dates to Remember  Innovation Challenge Submissions Deadline: Friday, August 30 (More details to come on Thursday, August 9.) - Challenge 1 | Challenge 2 Pre-SDC24 Webinar: Thursday, September 12  Samsung Developer Conference 2024: Thursday, October 3 Registration is Now Open Lock in your spot for SDC24 by registering here! After registering, please remember to book a hotel room if needed. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as we get closer to the event. We look forward to seeing you there! Have questions? We’ve got answers. Send your SDC24 inquiries to marketing@smartthings.com. 

Did you know that the carbon emissions from using or charging your smart home devices vary throughout the day? This means that using electricity when there is more renewable energy on your local grid — for example, on sunny days when there is a lot of solar power generated — can lower your carbon intensity and resulting emissions. Samsung SmartThings continues its partnership with Electricity Maps, established in 2023, to provide you with even more ways to access comprehensive data within SmartThings Energy to inform your energy usage. The integration helps you be more informed about your carbon emissions and enables you to actively reduce your impact based on these fluctuations and your energy habits. About Electricity Maps Electricity Maps is a fast-growing Danish start-up that plays a pivotal role in the global transition to a decarbonized electricity system by organizing and mapping real-time electricity data to compute and forecast carbon intensity for over 200 zones worldwide. Their API provides individuals and businesses with more data to make more informed decisions about electricity consumption. How it Works Electricity Maps offers an API that enables you to access historical and forecasted data on the electricity mix and carbon intensity in a specific region through SmartThings Energy. This allows you to monitor your carbon emissions based on your home's electricity usage. You can benefit from real-time information on your electricity usage, including details on energy sources and carbon intensity. Moreover, you can actively leverage this data to reduce your carbon footprint by utilizing features like Optimal Charging and AI Energy Mode, both available in SmartThings. The Benefits of the Partnership With the increase in consumers choosing more sustainable smart home purchases, SmartThings aims to offer eco-friendly solutions in the market that empower you to make more sustainable decisions and enable you to have a real impact by becoming a more informed energy consumer. Moreover, the integration with the Electricity Maps API has expanded the capabilities of SmartThings, linking appliance energy savings data to carbon emission reduction data. This integration allowed for the launch of pivotal features within the SmartThings app, like Optimal Charging and Optimal Scheduling. The AI Energy Mode can be set to activate based on the captured carbon intensity data, focusing on reducing carbon emissions. With these intelligent features, SmartThings leads the way in providing you with the information and tools to better manage your carbon footprint. View Your Carbon Emissions Data and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Electricity Maps provides global coverage, which means carbon emission insights and carbon-optimized charging and scheduling features are available to all users in the SmartThings app.  To view your carbon intensity data click here, or download the SmartThings app (if you haven’t yet)—available on iOS and Android—and navigate to SmartThings Energy.  In SmartThings, select the Life tab at the bottom of the screen to navigate to SmartThings Energy. Scroll down to the ‘Carbon emissions aware’ card, where you can access unique information on your carbon emissions. Ensure your Samsung appliances and smart devices are connected to obtain the most comprehensive data on your energy usage. Samsung and Electricity Maps, Making a True Impact “The carbon monitoring function using Electricity Maps is a unique solution where everyday appliance energy usage is directly linked to its carbon footprint,” said Barry Holland, Director of Product & Business Development at SmartThings. “We are excited to continue partnering with organizations focused on providing tools to inform consumers and enable them to reduce their carbon footprint.” “Electricity Maps is proud to continue working with Samsung SmartThings, paving the way to more sustainable homes,” said Olivier Corradi, CEO and Founder of Electricity Maps. “We're excited that our API’s carbon-intensity insights enable consumers to be more aware of their carbon emissions and to reduce their carbon footprint on a daily basis. The collective impact of millions of users optimizing their home devices will be a significant step toward decarbonizing the electricity grid.”

New features, same innovative SmartThings. Recently, SmartThings announced a suite of updates and exciting partner announcements, including: Shareable routines Enhanced hub functionality Matter 1.2 support New Device Control  SmartThings Energy enhancements These new advancements will make managing smart devices and routines even easier, reflecting SmartThings’ dedication to streamlining the connected home experience and removing the obstacles associated with smart home living.  Here’s a closer look at what’s new with SmartThings.   Unlock Smart Home Sharing with Shareable Routines Another leap forward in connecting your devices and the people you love, Shareable Routines is a new feature within the SmartThings platform that allows you to share your daily routines with others. This means you can easily pass on your automated sequences of tasks or actions to guests or friends, enhancing the overall usability and accessibility of these routines.  For instance, you may have a wake-up routine where your lights gradually turn on, your coffee maker starts brewing, and your favorite morning playlist starts playing. With Shareable Routines, you can easily share this routine with your friends or family who want to set up the same routine at their house. They can activate (and customize) the shared routine by simply scanning a QR code of the routine, and SmartThings will take care of the rest.    Enhanced Smart Home Reliability with New Hub Features Building on advancements like Hub Groups and Hub Replace, SmartThings has introduced the new Hub Manager in the SmartThings app. With this app, you can configure your smart home using a central hub management interface. Create Hub Groups with various types of SmartThings Hubs and enable Hub Backup. To make your smart home more reliable and resilient. Hub Backup prevents disruptions to daily routines by swiftly switching to a secondary hub if the primary hub fails. All device configurations, network settings, and routines transfer easily.   Matter 1.2 Certification and Support The SmartThings platform has been updated and certified to the Matter 1.2 SDK, bringing a host of enhancements to the SmartThings ecosystem. SmartThings seamlessly integrates with partner devices that support Matter 1.2*, including refrigerators, room air conditioners, dishwashers, laundry washing machines, robotic vacuums, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, air quality sensors, air purifiers, and fans. Updates to Matter support streamline developer integration, ensuring a smoother experience in line with core spec updates. Follow the SmartThings blog to stay updated on the latest around Matter support.      Device Control Plus Galaxy users will appreciate the convenience of the new Device Control feature, which allows easier access, navigation, and control of their smart home devices without interrupting their lives.  Here’s why. Device cards are bigger to show you more controls for home devices, and you can select devices to create your own home control page. Then, you will have greater ability to control the smart home device, including adjusting TV volume or light brightness. On phones and tablets, Device Control can be used right through the quick panel, similar to how users access controls for Bluetooth, WiFi, airplane mode, etc.    SmartThings Energy Enhancements Saving energy is fun with SmartThings Energy’s new features. With the latest update, you can now experience gamified elements including Energy Level and Activity badges. When saving energy effectively through AI Energy Mode, you will receive Samsung Rewards Points that can be used to purchase products on Samsung.com. Earn one Energy Stamp per day for every 400Wh of electricity saved with AI Energy Mode, and each Energy Stamp can be converted to 20 Samsung Rewards Points.   SmartThings UX Enhancements One important change in this update is that you can more easily find and quickly control your smart device. We’ve restructured the device tab to display rooms as top-level tabs, so you can effortlessly navigate and efficiently manage devices within each room. Furthermore, an enhanced device search not only helps you find your devices more quickly but also offers search suggestions based on the types of devices you own. In addition, each device plugin provides visualizations that highlight the key features and states of each device. For example, in the case of the smart door lock, a highlighted color indicates whether it is locked or unlocked. Also, if the device’s battery level drops below 15%, an alert appears at the top of the screen, ensuring that essential information is effectively communicated. These updates simplify and improve the management of smart home devices. Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings U.S., said, “This expansion of platform offerings is another step toward creating more seamless routines and providing greater accessibility for smart home device users.We take immense pride in this update and are excited to see how families will use it to enhance their everyday lives.” Enhance your everyday life and download the SmartThings app and activate SmartThings Energy today!   Read more about our new updates HERE.   *Support for Matter 1.2 indicates that SmartThings can manage and operate new device types that are part of the Matter 1.2 standard. It also means that all devices supporting control through Matter 1.2 can be linked together. 

Tesla and Samsung have partnered to integrate Tesla Solar and Powerwall products into the SmartThings Energy platform. Tesla Energy customers can now manage their home’s energy usage, storage, and production all from the convenience of the SmartThings app. The SmartThings app can now display information about energy production, storage and usage for Tesla products such as Tesla Powerwall, Tesla Solar Inverter and the Tesla Wall Connector. Why Integrate Your Tesla Products with SmartThings Energy? Here’s how this integration helps you to be a more conscious energy consumer: Increase energy insights:  By enabling Tesla notifications in the SmartThings app, you can receive home energy notifications from the Tesla app on your Samsung TV, providing more access to your solar production, backup duration, and home energy usage. Smart energy management: Tesla notifications on your Samsung devices provide up-to-date information on energy consumption in your home, helping you make smarter decisions to extend your backup duration, such as turning off high-energy usage devices like dishwashers or dryers. Better prepare for power outages: During extreme weather, Tesla Powerwall owners can receive alerts through their connected Samsung TVs and mobile devices, in addition to the Tesla app. When a power outage occurs, the Powerwall automatically detects the outage and instantly powers your home with stored backup energy. If a storm is forecasted, Storm Watch automatically charges your Powerwall to ensure you’re prepared. How to Connect Tesla in the SmartThings App Now that you understand the benefits, connect Tesla in the SmartThings app: Download and Install the Apps Ensure you have the latest versions of both the Tesla and SmartThings apps. Sign in or create accounts in both apps. Connect Your Tesla Site(s) to SmartThings Navigate to the SmartThings main screen and tap the “Life” icon. Navigate to the SmartThings Energy card. Select the the ⋮ symbol at the top right of your screen. Select “Link to Partners”. Click on the Tesla Energy icon and connect the accounts.  Take Full Advantage of the Tesla Integration Through Notifications and Automations Here’s how you can make the most of the notification and automation features available: Enable notifications. Turn on Storm Watch and Off-Grid notifications in the SmartThings app to receive notifications in your app or on your Samsung TV if a storm is forecasted for your area or if your site(s) go off-grid. These notifications can help you make better decisions on when to avoid using high-energy devices like dishwashers or dryers. Here’s how to set up notifications: Navigate to the SmartThings main screen and tap the “Menu” icon. Tap “Notifications”, and click on the ⋮ symbol to expand your Notifications options. Tap “Notification settings”. Set your listed Tesla products to “On”. Set up automations. Create automation rules for your Tesla products, such as reducing power when the Powerwall switches to Off-Grid mode or prioritizing charging for maximum backup power. These automations help manage the energy consumption in your home. Here’s how to set up automations: Navigate to the SmartThings main screen and tap the “Life” icon. Navigate to the SmartThings Energy card. Tap the “Save” icon at the bottom of the screen. Follow the steps in Battery Backup Mode to set up your automation rules. Note: Notification and automation features require a stable internet connection. Ready to Take Control Of Your Home’s Energy?  Get started today by integrating your Tesla Solar and Powerwall products with SmartThings Energy and experience the future of smart home energy management. Connecting and automating your Tesla Solar and Powerwall products with SmartThings helps you maintain a sustainable and efficient home and reduce your carbon footprint. Click here to navigate to the Tesla integration within the SmartThings app. Share your experience using the Tesla and SmartThings integration. #DoTheSmartThings

Summer is heating up on both coasts and when the temperature rises, so does energy consumption across the US. Flex Connect, a demand response program powered by SmartThings Energy, can help ease the load. California and New York residents can now enroll in the program through SmartThings Energy and leverage their connected devices to participate. The program enhances our smart home solutions by giving users more options to conserve energy and promote eco-friendly living in their communities. Let’s take a closer look at what’s possible with SmartThings Energy Flex Connect.  Expanded Energy Management Solutions - If you live in New York and California you can now leverage your supported devices (e.g., thermostats, washer and dryers, refrigerators, etc.) in SmartThings Energy, a comprehensive energy management solution in the SmartThings app, to optimize your energy usage at times of peak energy demand. This automates your devices to participate in an event when a Demand Response (DR) signal is received, for example, when electricity demand surges due to extreme weather. Reduced demand on the energy grid helps balance the supply and demand of energy and stabilize the grid. Flexibility, Choice, and Control - With the flexibility to automate a large variety of loads such as plugs, AC, lights, TVs, and appliances in Flex Connect, you have even greater choice and control over your energy management. Plus, you can adjust your participation selections at any time. For example, you can schedule your dishwasher or washing machine to operate only during periods of lower demand. With these automation capabilities, you can effortlessly support the grid, without lifting a finger or sacrificing your comfort.. Save Energy and Earn Rewards - By taking advantage of the Flex Connect program, your devices will automatically participate in energy events, modestly adjusting your energy usage when it matters most. You’ll get energy usage data and alerts to help you scout out potential areas to save energy, and can earn Samsung Rewards for your participation.  Check Your Eligibility for Flex Connect and Enroll If you haven’t already, download the SmartThings app and activate SmartThings Energy in the Life tab to explore all that it offers! When you navigate to SmartThings Energy and click on Activity, you will see Flex Connect listed on the screen. Click on Flex Connect and scroll down to click Sign Up. If you have not provided your zip code in Settings, you’ll be prompted to provide it. If your address is eligible for Flex Connect, follow the prompt to get connected to the service. Once you have signed up, you can select the devices you want to participate. It’s quick and easy! More About SmartThings Energy SmartThings Energy boasts features that allow you to check your home energy use from anywhere and reduce your carbon footprint (and energy bills(!). You can check the energy usage of your paired devices and learn how to optimize their usage with automation features and energy-saving tips. If you forget to turn off a light when you leave for work, for example, you’ll be notified and can turn it off right from the app. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Energy Mode is an innovative feature within SmartThings Energy that can save you up to 70% on energy consumption for top Samsung products (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) and cycles by learning your routines and adjusting your devices accordingly. AI Energy Mode also uses machine learning to recognize when your energy use exceeds the targets you've set in SmartThings Energy, notifying you and explaining why that happened. “At Samsung, we are all about helping users obtain greater flexibility and convenience with their smart home devices,” said Chanwoo Park, EVP, Samsung Electronics. “SmartThings Energy empowers our users with tools and information to monitor their energy consumption and save money, and launching Flex Connect is a crucial step in creating a greener and smarter world. Customers can not only conserve energy with Flex Connect, but also earn Samsung Rewards for participating.”   Are you ready to join us in building a more sustainable future right from your smart home? Click on the link to see if you’re eligible and Enroll in Flex Connect today.  Android and iOS users click here You can read more about the Flex Connect program here.

SmartThings and Samsung believe devices should work together no matter the brand, and that’s where Matter comes into play. Matter ensures your smart home devices speak to each other, offering interoperability between devices and more flexibility.  With SmartThings, our ecosystem of innovative, consumer-friendly partners like AiDot, and the power of Matter, connecting compatible devices and systems to create a seamlessly integrated home is easier than flipping a light switch. AiDot, a leader in the IoT industry and trusted by millions of users, is a smart home platform that connects devices across brands and ecosystems. They offer a wide range of smart devices, including Matter-certified plugs, bulbs, switches, and more. Now, users can control AiDot’s products conveniently with the SmartThings app and make their smart home unified, more efficient, and fun. In our latest LinkedIn Q&A, we chatted with AiDot to discuss our partnership, how their products work with SmartThings, Matter, and more.  Browse the highlights below or keep reading for the full conversation.  The Highlights SmartThings: Since SmartThings and Matter devices from AiDot are compatible with one another, can you explain how to connect AiDot Matter products in the SmartThings app.  AiDot: Matter streamlines the device connection process for users. Before adding a device, ensure you have a supported Matter Controller. If a Matter device is in pairing mode, you may receive a notification in the SmartThings app, prompting you to begin the onboarding process. Alternatively, you can manually add an AiDot Matter device by opening the SmartThings app, selecting Add Device, and following the prompts to scan the barcode or enter the setup code. Once connected, you can customize settings such as the hub, room, and network, ensuring a seamless integration into your smart home ecosystem.  Connecting AiDot Matter products to SmartThings is super straightforward.  SmartThings: For someone who is new to the smart home space, what’s the first thing you would tell them about AiDot and Matter. AiDot: That's a tough question; there are so many great things about it! To sum it up, AiDot Matter delivers a number of benefits to smart home users including simple setup, unified device management, flexibility of hubs and voice assistants, and an open ecosystem that allows device selection based on features and pricing rather than compatibility. These advantages combine to create a seamless and consumer-friendly smart home experience with enhanced interoperability.  SmartThings: For those looking to explore your products for the first time, what would you recommend as the best use for AiDot in their daily routines? AiDot: We’re glad you asked! One of our favorite things is the endless unique automations that we hear our users have created. A great one that comes to mind is using a security camera’s motion detection as a trigger, and having that make lights inside and outside the home red to scare away intruders and warn the homeowner someone is in their yard.  A similar effect can be achieved with our water leak detectors, so in addition to a phone notification and an audible alarm, the lights in a room will turn blue if a leak has occurred. These particular ideas came from a hearing-impaired user within our community, and we just loved the ingenuity of them.  Our full conversation with AiDot SmartThings: Hey, AiDot Smart Home! Thank you for joining us for a Q&A today. First up, for those who are new to your brand, what is AiDot?  AiDot: Hey, SmartThings! Thanks for having us and a great first question. AiDot is a smart home platform that connects devices across brands and ecosystems. We also use Matter, a connectivity standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance), but we know SmartThings knows all about the power of Matter. SmartThings: We do! Matter is an important component of our ecosystem.  AiDot: Ours too! For anyone new to Matter, it establishes a cohesive smart home ecosystem, enabling devices from various manufacturers to operate seamlessly together, irrespective of their brand or communication protocol. Learn more about it at aidot.com/matter.  Can you help explain SmartThings to our followers who might not be familiar with the platform?  SmartThings: Of course! SmartThings is Samsung's smart home platform that enables users to connect, control, and automate a wide range of compatible devices through a unified mobile app. We are a comprehensive smart home solution, allowing connection and control of products from outside brands, too! For example, we are compatible with Matter devices from AiDot.  Since SmartThings and Matter devices from AiDot are compatible with one another, can you explain how to connect AiDot Matter products in the SmartThings app.  AiDot: Matter streamlines the device connection process for users. Before adding a device, ensure you have a supported Matter Controller. If a Matter device is in pairing mode, you may receive a notification in the SmartThings app, prompting you to begin the onboarding process. Alternatively, you can manually add an AiDot Matter device by opening the SmartThings app, selecting Add Device, and following the prompts to scan the barcode or enter the setup code. Once connected, you can customize settings such as the hub, room, and network, ensuring a seamless integration into your smart home ecosystem.  Connecting AiDot Matter products to SmartThings is super straightforward.  SmartThings: And, to make the process as simple as possible, you can #DoTheSmartThings and use the SmartThings app to scan the QR code on the Matter products. This process seamlessly integrates the AiDot Matter devices into the SmartThings ecosystem without any complicated setup. For users who are new to Matter, how can they identify a Matter product? AiDot: Identifying Matter products is easy! Just look for the official Matter logo on the product, its packaging, and its marketing materials. If it’s there, it’s Matter.  If an AiDot Matter user hasn’t set up their SmartThings Station yet, how can they get up and running? SmartThings: It’s simple to get started and the SmartThings Station offers so much for any smart home. After downloading the app, navigate to the Devices tab, tap Add (+), then By brand > Samsung > Smart Home Hub. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your hub to your Wi-Fi network. Once set up, use the app to add and configure your other smart home devices (and your AiDot Matter devices, too!)  Speaking of getting set up, can you explain how users can set up their AiDot Matter Smart Home? AiDot: Establishing a Matter-enabled smart home couldn’t be simpler. Begin by selecting Matter-compatible devices from leading brands such as Samsung, SmartThings, AiDot, and many more. The setup process is simple, as Matter provides easy-to-follow instructions to connect devices to your home network. Download the app for your smart home ecosystem of choice. Then simply add your Matter devices to the app, where they will seamlessly integrate into your smart home setup.  Come to think of it, we should probably talk about Matter Controllers. SmartThings: Yes! A Matter Controller is a multipurpose hub incorporated into other devices. AiDot: Exactly! It can be baked into other devices, removing the need for a dedicated single-purpose hub device. Some devices you already have may be, or have the capability to become, a Matter Controller. Examples include smart speakers, Wi-Fi routers, digital displays, home assistant devices, entertainment devices and more. Even the SmartThings wireless phone charger can serve as a Matter Controller. You may even see this technology introduced to the likes of fridges and TVs. And if you happen to have multiple Matter Controllers in your home, that will only serve to make your network even more powerful as they’ll communicate and work together rather than competing to control your smart home devices. SmartThings It’s great to see how much AiDot has incorporated Matter into its products. For someone who is new to the smart home space, what’s the first thing you would tell them about AiDot and Matter. AiDot: That's a tough question; there are so many great things about it! To sum it up, AiDot Matter delivers a number of benefits to smart home users including simple setup, unified device management, flexibility of hubs and voice assistants, and an open ecosystem that allows device selection based on features and pricing rather than compatibility. These advantages combine to create a seamless and consumer-friendly smart home experience with enhanced interoperability.  Since you mentioned automations, what kind of routines can SmartThings help users create? SmartThings: Dare we say… all of them? With the SmartThings app, you can automate just about anything. Whether it’s controlling your home's lighting, monitoring your pets, or setting up wellness routines, just like AiDot and Matter, we have you covered.  For those looking to explore your products for the first time, what would you recommend as the best use for AiDot in their daily routines? AiDot: We’re glad you asked! One of our favorite things is the endless unique automations that we hear our users have created. A great one that comes to mind is using a security camera’s motion detection as a trigger and having that make lights inside and outside the home red to scare away intruders and warn the homeowner someone is in their yard.  A similar effect can be achieved with our water leak detectors, so in addition to a phone notification and an audible alarm, the lights in a room will turn blue if a leak has occurred. These particular ideas came from a hearing-impaired user within our community, and we just loved the ingenuity of them.  Of course, these are just a few examples of the many custom solutions users can create with the AiDot app and AiDot products, and we encourage new users to give it a try themselves. SmartThings: Well, that was very informative! Thank you to our partners at AiDot Smart Home for chatting with us today! It was great learning about AiDot and how you're using Matter-enabled devices to enhance the smart home experience. Want to know more? #DoTheSmartThings and send us a message! AiDot: Thank you for having us SmartThings! 

Smart lighting has redefined how we interact with and manage our homes, offering unparalleled convenience and control. We can automate lights to turn on only when someone is in the room and turn them off from our phones, no matter where we are. With smart lighting solutions from companies like Leviton, we can create safer and sustainable homes. For over 115 years, Leviton has developed thoughtful electrical, lighting, energy management, and more solutions to light, power, and connect everyday spaces. Now, users can control Leviton’s smart lighting devices conveniently and sustainably with SmartThings Energy, a comprehensive energy management solution in the SmartThings app. In our latest LinkedIn Q&A, we chatted with Leviton to discuss our partnership, how their products work with SmartThings, and more. Browse the highlights below or keep reading for the full conversation.  The Highlights  SmartThings: Which Leviton products work with SmartThings? Leviton: Leviton has Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee devices that work with SmartThings, with more products coming in the future! Users can explore our range of dimmers, light switches, outlets, smart plugs, and more on the SmartThings website!  SmartThings: How does Leviton work with SmartThings and our other partners to improve the smart home experience?  Leviton: Leviton seamlessly integrates with SmartThings and its app, offering users total control. By linking Leviton’s Decora Smart Z-Wave or Wi-Fi lighting controls to the SmartThings Hub, users can easily monitor and control their homes remotely via the SmartThings app. Plus, with SmartThings compatible voice assistants, users can manage Leviton smart lighting and other devices with simple voice commands, enhancing their home automation experience effortlessly. SmartThings: Knowing sustainability is a key pillar at Leviton, we're eager to hear about your efforts! How do you see smart lighting control boosting energy efficiency and sustainability today? Leviton: At Leviton, we're dedicated to sustainability and helping our customers do the same. Our products promote sustainability in buildings, factories, and homes, and with our CN2030 program, we're committing to Carbon Neutrality by 2030, reducing our environmental impact and building a greener future. Over the past five years alone, our residential dimmers have contributed to saving an impressive 52 billion watts of energy annually, resulting in a reduction of 44 million pounds of CO2e per year. Additionally, our innovative Sustainably Smart packs are making strides in reducing job site waste by providing environmentally friendly alternatives to individually packaged jacks. By eliminating over 2 million single-use polybags each year, we're proud to play a part in creating a greener future. But wait, there's more! Click the link below to discover even more exciting initiatives: https://leviton.com/company/sustainability  SmartThings: Since you bring up Leviton’s auto-shutoff features, that reminds us! With the days getting longer and summer on its way, we know a lot of people are going to be out later and enjoying outdoor spaces more. Which Leviton products are must-haves for the summer season? Leviton: All of them, for sure, but if we had to choose, definitely our Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug that has superior weather resistance and a built-in light sensor to automatically turn lights on during evening hours, perfect for outdoor lighting such as string lights to enjoy those summer evenings in your backyard. With the aid of SmartThings, essentials like our switches, dimmers, and new outdoor smart plug empower users to remotely monitor and control their lights from anywhere. Our full conversation with Leviton SmartThings: Hey Leviton! We have some questions we’ve been dying to ask you. First up, for those who are new to your brand, what is Leviton?  Leviton: Hey SmartThings! Thanks for having us. At Leviton, we are pioneers in creating innovative solutions that revolutionize how we illuminate, power, and connect everyday spaces. From electrical wiring solutions to lighting, data networks, and energy management, our comprehensive range of products caters to the diverse needs of our customers! SmartThings: Thanks for the intro! We’re thrilled to have you as a part of the SmartThings ecosystem. Which Leviton products work with SmartThings? Leviton: Leviton has Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee devices that work with SmartThings, with more products coming in the future! Users can explore our range of dimmers, light switches, outlets, smart plugs, and more on the SmartThings website!  On that note, can you tell us a little bit more about how SmartThings helps create a fully integrated smart home experience? SmartThings: Great question! For us, it’s all about our amazing partners, like Leviton, who help to complete the experience, by allowing users to connect to whatever smart products they need to seamlessly move through their day. Thanks to Matter and our diverse array of partners across various sectors, collaborating seamlessly through our app, we achieve comprehensive automation of every facet of smart home living. Speaking of partnerships, how does Leviton work with SmartThings and our other partners to improve the smart home experience?  Leviton: Fantastic question, SmartThings! Leviton seamlessly integrates with SmartThings and its app, offering users total control. By linking Leviton’s Decora Smart Z-Wave or Wi-Fi lighting controls to the SmartThings Hub, users can easily monitor and control their homes remotely via the SmartThings app. Plus, with SmartThings compatible voice assistants, users can manage Leviton smart lighting and other devices with simple voice commands, enhancing their home automation experience effortlessly. SmartThings: That’s great to hear! Next, let’s talk about sustainability, as it is Earth Month and we’re focusing on our SmartThings Energy initiative. Knowing sustainability is a key pillar at Leviton, we're eager to hear about your efforts! How do you see smart lighting control boosting energy efficiency and sustainability today? Leviton: At Leviton, we're dedicated to sustainability and helping our customers do the same. Our products promote sustainability in buildings, factories, and homes, and with our CN2030 program, we're committing to Carbon Neutrality by 2030, reducing our environmental impact and building a greener future. Over the past five years alone, our residential dimmers have contributed to saving an impressive 52 billion watts of energy annually, resulting in a reduction of 44 million pounds of CO2e per year. Additionally, our innovative Sustainably Smart packs are making strides in reducing job site waste by providing environmentally friendly alternatives to individually packaged jacks. By eliminating over 2 million single-use polybags each year, we're proud to play a part in creating a greener future. But wait, there's more! Click the link to discover even more exciting initiatives: https://leviton.com/company/sustainability  SmartThings: Wow, that’s impressive! Leviton certainly has an incredible history. Since its start, how would you say the company has evolved to meet the demands of connected living? Leviton: With 118 years of success, we stay connected to our customers and adapt to the ever-evolving smart home scene. Anticipating needs, we deliver innovative smart lighting solutions for every scenario. Safety-conscious users find peace of mind by controlling lights through scheduling or even motion detection, ensuring they always return to a well-lit home. Plus, our lighting controls include thoughtful features such as auto-shutoff capability for energy-conscious users, so they never have to worry about leaving lights on. It's a win-win!  SmartThings: Since you bring up Leviton’s auto-shutoff features, that reminds us! With the days getting longer and summer on its way, we know a lot of people are going to be out later and enjoying outdoor spaces more. Which Leviton products are must-haves for the summer season? Leviton: All of them, for sure, but if we had to choose, definitely our Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug that has superior weather resistance and a built-in light sensor to automatically turn lights on during evening hours, perfect for outdoor lighting such as string lights to enjoy those summer evenings in your backyard. With the aid of SmartThings, essentials like our switches, dimmers, and new outdoor smart plug empower users to remotely monitor and control their lights from anywhere. SmartThings: Love that. So smart plugs, switches, and dimmers - got it! Speaking of your products, anything new that we should keep an eye out for? Leviton: We’re glad you asked! We’ve just introduced our new Decora Smart Z-Wave 800-Series Switch and Dimmer, a great solution for SmartThings customers looking for Z-Wave lighting controls. Our new devices feature the latest in Z-Wave technology for security and interoperability including SmartStart enrollment, which makes it easier than ever to enroll. SmartThings: A huge thank you to our partners at Leviton for chatting with us today for the SmartThings Live Chat! We enjoyed learning all how Leviton is enhancing the world of smart devices, doing so sustainably, and more than anything, how wonderfully our partnership works together! Want to know more? #DoTheSmartThings and send us a message! Leviton: Thank you for having us SmartThings!  To learn more about our partners visit partners.smartthings.com/supported-devices. Interested in integrating your devices with SmartThings? Visit developer.smartthings.com.