Samsung has revealed some information about its expected range of 2016 smart TVs that will be sure to peak the intrigue of those with an interest in home automation. The South Korean based electronics giant has announced that its entire 2016 range of smart TVs will be compatible with its SmartThings platform and IoT ready. Additionally, its flagship TVs called SUHD TVs will also integrate the SmartThings Hub technology.
Acquired by Samsung in 2014, SmartThings is an open platform that allows users to connect, manage and control supported IoT devices. The level of integration between Samsung’s SUHD TVs and SmartThings Hub will essentially turn the TV into a full fledged controller for your entire smart home setup. Lights, thermostats, cameras, and varying types of sensor-based hardware will all be able to connect to it.
In order to connect the SUHD TV to the entire range of SmartThings devices, you will need the services of a free “SmartThings Extend” USB adapter which will be bundled for free with every TV. This device will enable you to “monitor and control ZigBee and Z-Wave devices.”
At the time of writing, Samsung has stipulated that there are more than 200 different SmartThings-compatible devices available on the market, and because of SmartThings Hub technology being built right into company’s upcoming SUHD TVs lineup, all these devices will be able to connect to it and then be managed using a dedicated SmartThings app on the TV.
Samsung will be using upcoming 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to show off the new range as well as the associated SmartThings Hub that is integrated within.
Alex Hawkinson, current CEO and Co-founder of SmartThings discussed the benefit of the integration:
With Samsung Smart TVs working with the SmartThings technology, we have an opportunity to reach millions of households. Applying this technology into current household devices is a major step forwards that will make it much easier for everyone to experience the benefits of a smart home.
Samsung’s TV roadmap for 2016 also truly means that the home automation space is starting to get extremely competitive. Apple has already thrown its hat into the automation ring with frameworks like HomeKit that is being adopted by hardware manufacturers as we speak. Samsung has ensured that true choice will be offered for the consumer in the next calendar year.
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