BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, at the Samsung Electronics IFA 2015 Press Conference, SmartThings launched its new line of products, available across the U.S. and coming next week to the U.K., including an upgraded Hub, sensors, and intuitive mobile app for a more powerful and easier to use solution that helps solve specific problems. The company also introduced a new set of developer tools and partnership programs to enable deeper integrations and collaboration across its open platform and the industry at large.
“People are beginning to understand the real value and utility smart home technology can provide in their everyday lives. With this next major iteration of our products, we focused first and foremost on security and home monitoring to help answer the question, ‘is everything okay at home?’” said Alex Hawkinson, CEO and founder of SmartThings. “This marks our first product launch as part of the Samsung family, and together we’re continuing our commitment to deliver the easiest smart home solutions with a truly open ‘Internet of Things’ platform that maximizes collaboration and innovation across the industry.”
The new Samsung SmartThings Hub is equipped with a more powerful processor that enables video monitoring and a battery backup that lasts up to 10 hours in case of a power outage. The Hub is also able to process some automations locally, meaning it can operate without an internet connection. The collection of Samsung SmartThings sensors are now smaller and have been redesigned with a sleeker, more contemporary look.
The Hub’s video monitoring capability, launching in beta, is unique in that it allows people to improve peace of mind while maintaining their privacy. A livestream can be accessed at any time, but video is only recorded when an unexpected event, such as motion by the front door, is detected. With this new feature, SmartThings is introducing a solution called Smart Home Monitor, which provides unified access and control against intrusion, smoke and fire, leaks and floods, and other common household issues by delivering real-time notifications and video clips from multiple cameras via the SmartThings app. Intelligent buffering enables video clip recording to start prior to the event so users can see what caused the incident.
The SmartThings app has also been redesigned for iOS and Android to include easier navigation and a more intuitive experience. Users can now directly organize and control devices by room, and customize actions to occur automatically based on preset routines. With the additions of Smart Home Monitor and new features that enable SmartThings to perform certain functions without power or Internet, the offering has evolved into a solution for real life problems - a testament to the promise of the smart home and the IoT.
SmartThings continues to offer the most open and developer friendly platform available, and has expanded to support nearly 200 compatible devices. Its platform is now integrated with GitHub, providing developers with a more efficient way to write, manage and share their creations in an open environment. The company has also expanded its “Works with SmartThings” program beyond compatibility to include deeper integrations within the SmartThings app for a simple, unified experience. Partners at launch include Samsung, Honeywell, Schlage, Yale, First Alert, D-link, Osram, Cree, Bose and many more.
SmartThings is available for purchase on Shop.SmartThings.com, Samsung.com and will be rolling out on Amazon.com and retail stores across the U.S. The new Hub retails for $99 with sensors ranging between $30 and $55 each. SmartThings will be available in the U.K. at select Currys PC World stores and online at Samsung.com and currys.co.uk beginning September 10. The Hub retails for £99 and the Starter Kit is £199. SmartThings also plans to expand across Europe in 2016. Smart Home Monitor is available for free through December 31, 2015 with some features transitioning into a premium offering later this year.
SmartThings will be exhibiting at IFA 2015 from September 4-9, 2015, in the Samsung booth based in the City Cube Berlin Hall B (Level 2) at Messe Berlin.
For more information, visit www.smartthings.com or www.smartthings.co.uk.
About SmartThings
SmartThings is the easiest way to turn a home into a smart home, bringing users peace of mind, savings, and convenience. As an open platform with a thriving ecosystem, SmartThings also brings users freedom of choice in devices and limitless possibilities. Since SmartThings was acquired by Samsung in August 2014, the team has tripled in size, tripled developer activity from a community of over 10,000, and has one of the largest ecosystems of compatible devices. SmartThings is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA and operates independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
