Computer Shopper - UK (2019-12)

ISSUE 382|COMPUTER SHOPPER|DECEMBER 2019

HASN’TSMARTTHINGSBEENAROUNDFORAWHILE?

You’re right: SmartThings started lifeasaplatformforso-called
Internetof Things (IoT)gadgets back in 2012. It was then
snapped upby Samsung in 2014, andover the years the South
Korean electronics giant has been building the platformto
support all mannerof gadgets, not just those it makes.
But the smart home device market and ecosystem is a
confusing one,with plentyof brands having their own
control systems, and startupsoffering software platformsto
tie disparategadgets together.
Suffice to say, SmartThings hasn’t really marketed itself in
the best way. Sure,plenty of smart home gadgets with
SmartThings certification have been sold, but Samsung hasn’t
really come up withacompelling waytop resent the platform.

SOWHYSHOULDICARE?

Because Samsung has finally got its acttogether and is now presenting
SmartThings inafashion that really showcases what the platform can
do.Wer ecently visitedaswankyapartmentoverlookingLondon’s
WembleyStadiumto see aflat that was fully kitted outto be a
real-world SmartThings demonstration.
When we’ve seen such smart home demonstrations before,we’ve
been aware thatalot of the tech is in the works or undergoing further
development. But Samsung’s showcase was assembled from smart
gadgets and systems that can be boughttoday.
There wasawhole suiteofs mart devices all shown workingtogether
to produceacomprehensive smart home that can be controlled from
one multi-platform app,rather than showing how you can bark a
command atasmart speakerto turn on some lights.
Instead, smart devices from Samsung and other brands allfedinto
aSmartThings hub and the cloud-based SmartThings platform, where
the heavy liftingof pulling all these devicestogether is taken careof by
Samsung servers. That meant we gotto see certain SmartThings
scenarios in action, such as the ‘laundry experience’.

EXCUSEME?
While it’saterm that smacksof lifestyle
marketing-speak, in action this showcases
how alaundry load can be set up withaslick
Samsung washing machine,which uses its
smarts to figure out how bestto clean the load.
All this can be controlled with Samsung’s
SmartThings app,which works on Android
and iOS, allowing washingto be scheduled
and monitored.
It might seemabit like overkill, but Samsung claims thatfor
families withabusy lifestyle these small time-savingtechniques
add up to makingasolid differenceto managing the chaosof
modernfamily lif e.
And this is Samsung’s big push with SmartThings. The company is
showcasing how it can influence lifestyles rather than present it as an
impressive open IoT platformforonly the tech-savvy.

WHATOTHERPRODUCTSWEREONSHOW?

Naturally,Samsung hadaconnected fridge,which has becomeabit of
ajoke in discussions around IoT devices. But the company presented it
in ascenario where it’s actually useful.
Rather than haveafridge ordering milk, it containsacamera so
someone can look at what’s inside through the SmartThings app
to see if they’re missing an ingredientforthe evening meal while

they’re on the commutehome,and thus find out if theyneed to pop

intothe local corner shop on the wayback.

At the same time,other connected devices such as lights and

speakers can be configuredto effectively set the mood when dinner

is being served.

Essentially,SmartThings is about streamlining life, with connected

cookers orvacuum cleaners given routinesto ensure afamily can

return hometo aclean house,with food readyto eat and an ambience

forarelaxed evening.

ISN’TTHISALLABITFADDISH?

SmartThings also providesaplatformforhome security.Not only can

feeds from smart home cameras and doorbells pipe livefootage to

Samsung TVsfrom 2018 and later,SmartThings plugs can detect

when something likeapair of hair straighteners has been leftona nd

allow forthem to be turnedoff remotely.

One thing that impressed us isasmall cheap sensor that can

detect whenatap or sink is leaking andfeed that data backto ahub.

This tells the SmartThings platform that there’s water where there

shouldn’t be,which will then trigger another

connected unitto switch off the mains water

supply to the house or flat. This could stop a

leak escalating intoamajor house flood and

an expensive insurance claim;asetup costing

around £100 could prevent damageto the

tune of thousandsof pounds.

THISALLSOUNDSEXPENSIVE

Samsung didn’t sayhow much the setup its

showcase would cost, but the mixof high-end

TV,fridge and washing machine isn’t likelyto be cheap.

However,afew smart sensors connectedto aSmartThings hub is all

that’sneededto beginwith,andovertimetheplatformcanbeexpanded

with new TVs, speaker systems and sensors addedto the setup.

SmartThings is designedto help Samsung sell moreof its

smorgasbordof electronics, especially as whole swathesof its tech is

now coming with the connectivity.And while the firm has its own Bixby

virtual assistant, Samsung happily showed us how SmartThings works

with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and MicrosoftCortana.

Forpeople with older Samsung devices, such as its smart TVs, the

companytold us it has plansto effectively retrofit SmartThingsto its

pre-2018 devices.

While smart hometech might seem likeamess of gadgets with

different apps and control systems, SmartThings is pushing aheadto

be the one platform that binds them alltogether.

SamsungSmartThings

Acloserlookatthe comprehensive smarthomeplatform

Afamily canreturn hometo a

clean house,with food ready

to eatand an ambiencefor a

relaxedevening

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