Samsung’s innovative security program Knox secures smart TVs from various threats, ultimately offering consumers a safe and convenient smart home experience. GNUSMAS, the cute blue alien, introduces Samsung Knox as the final piece to complete your ecosystem of connected devices below.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled a campaign video titled “Everyday SmartThings with Son,” starring globally renowned football player Son Heung-min. The video underscores the collaboration between Son Heung-min and Samsung and features scenes of Son utilizing the personalized multi-device experience that the SmartThings lifestyle has to offer.

A Galaxy brand ambassador since the Unpacked event in July 2023, Son has partnered with Samsung on the new SmartThings campaign. With a focus on Son’s perspective, the campaign focuses particularly on entertainment, health and saving energy, all of which are areas of high interest among customers globally. The video, which showcases Son living an upgraded daily lifestyle in a series of interviews throughout, will be released through Samsung’s global social channels. All the devices in the video are seamlessly connected within the SmartThings ecosystem. The devices included are not only conventional home appliances such as TVs and refrigerators, but also an array of other devices like speakers and lights.

An Energy-Saving Routine, Thanks to SmartThings Energy and SmartThings Routines

Energy conservation is front and center in the video, as it is showcased through the use of key features of the SmartThings app, such as the SmartThings Energy and SmartThings Routines.

SmartThings Energy allows real-time monitoring of energy consumption from various devices like refrigerators, washing machines and TVs. It activates AI Energy Mode^[1] before usage reaches higher pricing tiers, which effectively reduces electricity expenses.

With the SmartThings Routines feature, users automatically control household appliances based on specified times and conditions. Son demonstrates this in the campaign video with the “Going Out Routine,” which automatically turns appliances off when he leaves his house. Thanks to this function, Son can pay more attention to other things to do before going out while also reducing unnecessary energy consumption, which leads to a more efficient daily routine.

Harmonise Leisure Time With Music Sync and Hue Sync

Apart from functions that save energy, SmartThings boasts features that enhance leisure time at home. Music Sync^[2] creates a dynamic home atmosphere by synchronizing lighting connected to SmartThings with music played on a Galaxy device. Hue Sync^[3] performs a similar function but with Samsung smart TVs, offering users an immersive viewing experience as they enjoy their favorite movies, live events or video games, etc.

In the video, Son makes use of these features through adaptive lighting, which sets a relaxed mood for him at home. Also featured is Gaming Mode, which Son uses to immerse himself in his favorite video games by syncing the color and movement of his home lighting with on-screen action.

Monitoring Health With the Galaxy Watch

The Galaxy Watch can provide users with real-time workout data, such as heart rate, calories burned and exercise duration. With SmartThings, Son is able to get the best use out of this feature by simultaneously doing core exercises and watching a football match on TV. While watching the match, he can see the data from his workout on his TV screen^[4]. This innovative integration enables individuals to exercise effectively while watching TV.

Commenting on his participation in the campaign, Son said, “The system operates automatically, which makes the experience very simple. Through SmartThings, I’ve found myself enjoying my time at home more while saving energy. It’s easy!”

“Everyday SmartThings with Son” can be found at Samsung’s official YouTube and Instagram channels.

^{[1] Available only for models that support AI Energy Mode. Prior to use, SmartThings Energy Service in the SmartThings app needs to be installed.}

^{[2] Compatible lighting must be purchased separately and connected to the SmartThings app.}

^{[3] Compatible lighting must be purchased separately; paid subscription of the Hue Sync app is required through Samsung TV app.}

^{[4] Available from 2024; availability and the timing of support may vary by country and region.}

At CES 2023 in January of this year, Samsung Electronics unveiled SmartThings Station which revolutionized new smart home hubs supporting Matter, the home IoT compatibility standard. This platform promotes expansive connectivity, empowering users to sync smart products irrespective of their manufacturer. SmartThings Station gained media spotlight for dismantling the entry barriers to IoT.

We sat down with SmartThings Station developer Eugene Park and product planner Kiyoung Kwon to learn more about the development of the smart home hub.

▲ (From left) SmartThings Station developer Eugene Park and product planner Kiyoung Kwon

What Does Smart Living Look Like?

Imagine coming home after a long day to find your home already working for you. As you enter, the curtains close and the bathroom lights turn on so you can go wash your hands. Your favorite tunes play softly in the background. The air purifier kicks in as you prepare dinner. When you open the windows for ventilation, the air conditioner automatically powers down.

Is It Possible for a Home To Take Care of Your Entire Daily Routine?

This kind of dream home is no longer a fantasy. With SmartThings Station, you can tailor your smart home to your family’s routines. This smart hub not only connects Samsung products: it unifies multiple devices using the latest Matter IoT standards, regardless of manufacturer.

“When developing SmartThings Station, we focused on enabling more users to effortlessly connect various devices, so they can enjoy a smart home experience without entry barriers,” said product planner Kiyoung Kwon.

▲ Users can easily locate their smartphones, even when they’re hiding under a bed, with SmartThings Station.

“Our goal with SmartThings Station was to create a product that would take center stage in your home“, explained Kwon. Most hub products are typically set up in a corner and quickly forgotten about. “Our challenge was to design a product that served not only as a hub but also as a device people want to use,” he added. This goal remained a significant focus for his team throughout the product planning phase.

By adding the well-loved wireless charging feature as well as the Find My Mobile feature, Kwon increased product usability and encouraged users to incorporate the hub as a natural part of their day-to-day routine.

▲ The Smart Button is on the top side of SmartThings Station.

“A lot of thought went into eliminating IoT entry barriers. That’s how the Smart Button came to be,” said developer Eugene Park. “Touch the Smart Button, and it activates the automated routines that are already set up.”

The SmartThings Station development team overcame this hurdle with a “Calm Onboarding” strategy. “We’ve minimized any inconveniences users may encounter by simplifying the onboarding process. In less than three steps, users can register the product on the cloud and control it with a mobile device,” said Kwon. “We’ve also enabled users to activate routines through three different touch methods – tap shortly, tap twice and hold – so that they don’t have to open an app. Since users can activate various hub features while wirelessly charging, they can use the product for multiple purposes.”

What Are the Security Features of SmartThings Station?

According to Park, SmartThings Station demonstrates enhanced security in two aspects: (i) the product key feature equipped in the product itself and (ii) the encryption feature for cloud communication data security. “SmartThings Station comes with a unique product key. So, when users connect the product to the cloud, they must go through identity verification to access it,” said Park. “This leads to the crucial part: the cloud communication data security. All data transferred between the cloud and the Station is encrypted through the embedded Secure Element (eSE). This secures the data during communication.”

Nearly all home IoT products – big or small, from Samsung or another brand – can be connected to SmartThings Station, thanks to the home IoT compatibility standard called Matter. Samsung is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), an organization unifying the different communication languages IoT manufacturers use. After three years of thorough discussions with more than 280 member companies, the protocol standard Matter v1.0 was released.

The development of Matter began with a focus on allowing users to install IoT devices irrespective of their manufacturer. Against this backdrop, SmartThings Station became the catalyst for expanding the smart home ecosystem.

“Current IoT users are very happy with the news that SmartThings Station supports Matter,” said Kwon. “To meet consumer needs and improve product usability, we’re considering selling hub products and IoT devices that support Matter as a package.”

How Has the Market Responded to the Release of SmartThings Station?

After more than 100 days since its release, feedback in the market has been extremely positive. “Compared to the quantity of all hub units previously sold by Samsung, we’ve sold four times more SmartThings Station units,” said Kwon.

Recently, Kwon had the opportunity to introduce the product to tech influencers. “The influencers are particularly interested in IoT devices. They expressed high interest in SmartThings Station and gave positive feedback,” he said. “Their reviews had a strong influence on consumers as well.”

SmartThings Station: Simplifying the World of Home IoT for All

The expansion of the smart home ecosystem is just getting started. The SmartThings Station development team considers the 100th day milestone as a new starting point. “SmartThings Station will create more ways to provide convenience at home,” said Park and Kwon.

“We plan on providing continuous software updates for SmartThings Station, and we’ll deliver satisfying improvements each time,” said the SmartThings Station team.

“I really appreciate the positive feedback our users shared with us,” said Kwon. “The launch of SmartThings Station is just the starting point in making smart home ecosystems mainstream. Our next goal is to develop and present various IoT products that meet the Matter standard so that users can fully utilize their smart home hub.”

Samsung, among other global companies, envisions a world where more users can enjoy the convenience of an unfettered home IoT experience. Stay tuned to see what’s next for SmartThings Station and the development team.

SmartThings Station makes it easy for users to automate their smart home environment^[1] offering compatibility with a wide range of smart home products^[2]. You can also keep track of your devices with SmartThings Station. Misplaced your smartphone? Just double-press the Smart Button to trigger a pre-set activation to have your phone ring nearby. SmartThings Station also acts as a powerful fast charging pad with up to 15W wireless charging.

To learn more about SmartThings Station and how it can help you make the most of your smart home ecosystem, take a look at the infographic below.

^{[1] Pre-setting is required for features in advance via the SmartThings app.}

^{[2] Compatible devices only such as certified Zigbee or Matter devices.}