The smart home segment is becoming more accessible and user-friendly, but there are still things you should consider before purchasing an IoT device. For example, you should consider its compatibility with the multiple existing smart home platforms. Samsung is one of the big players that has its own smart home platform under the name SmartThings. Now, the company has announced some enhancements to SmartThings, including AI-powered features.
Samsung SmartThings getting AI-powered enhancements
Samsung is redesigning the SmartThings app to offer a more consistent experience across all compatible devices. The “Favorites” tab is now “Home” and will include multiple bits of useful data about the state of your home. Samsung is integrating AI-powered summaries into “Home” with suggestions and useful tips for your daily life. For example, it could suggest you turn off a device you’re not using or tweak the temperature.
According to Samsung, AI-powered tips and suggestions are based on “lifestyle patterns, device usage history, home and device status, daily weather, indoor temperature and more.” In the Home tab, you’ll also have access to some key settings for your smart home products without going into the “Details” page for each one. Plus, the Auto-hub backup feature ensures an always-linked and seamless smart home experience across all your SmartThings devices.
Galaxy tablets and laptops as a key part of the smart home ecosystem
Samsung wants to turn the Galaxy Tab S10 into a hub for controlling all your smart home products. The Home Insight widget allows instant access to SmartThings, so you’ll have AI-powered summaries, suggestions, and a map view with a clear view of each connected device at a tap.
Galaxy Books are also an important part of Samsung’s smart home ecosystem. After all, many people spend hours in front of their laptops for work, study, or just entertainment. To make things easier for you, the Galaxy Books will let you control your SmartThings-supported devices without having to reach for another device. The SmartThings app on Windows is also getting an update with a new panel-style UI for better accessibility and convenience. It offers quick access to key features like camera streaming and phone-finding. The revamped SmartThings experience is compatible with PCs running Windows 10 20 H1 onwards.
Expanded Family Care now supports a wider range of SmartThings devices with activity sensors. This allows for better tracking of the daily routines of family and loved ones through a history of actions. The history records common actions such as opening the refrigerator door or taking clothes out of the dryer. There is now also support for child accounts, allowing parents to take advantage of the SmartThings device ecosystem to more easily monitor their children.
Add new devices with a QR code
Samsung wants to make it as simple as possible to set up your smart home ecosystem through SmartThings. In line with this, they are integrating device registration and transfer by simply scanning a QR code. It’s noteworthy that the AI-powered features are available first in the US and Korea. Other regions will receive them gradually in the coming weeks. Hopefully this SmartThings update won’t brick older Galaxy devices as happened recently.
