Samsung Announces New SmartThings Hub and Supporting Devices To Open Up The Connected Home

SmartThings Hub and sensors refreshed with sleek design, wireless connectivity, and improved performance

LONDON, UK – 26 September 2018 – Samsung Electronics UK today announced the newest devices in its SmartThings range of products. The new SmartThings Hub and sensors connect simply and intuitively to the Samsung SmartThings platform, enabling beginners and experts alike to realise their smart home vision.

The improvements to the new range of SmartThings devices have been inspired by the feedback from consumers since SmartThings launched in the UK in 2015, The overall design of the hub and each sensor has been improved to blend in with the style of your home, and includes a range of new features to make entering the Smart Home market more accessible than ever.

“As more people embrace a connected lifestyle, we’re focused on creating an experience that makes smart living simple, accessible and intelligent,” said  Teg Dosanjh – Director of IOT, MDE & SmartThings, UK. “With SmartThings, we’re delivering an open platform that seamlessly brings together connected devices and sensors to give our consumers peace of mind and make their lives easier, not more complicated.”

SmartThings Hub

With its new wireless solution, the SmartThings Hub can now be placed anywhere in the home – giving you the flexibility to find the optimum spot without impacting your décor.  All smart devices within the home can be controlled through the one SmartThings app, which is available on both Android and iOS, plus Samsung Smart TV’s and Family Hub refrigeration range.

With an open platform, SmartThings works with the biggest range of smart home brands – simply look for the ‘works with SmartThings’ logo. It will even connect with all voice assistants, whether you prefer Samsung Bixby, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant you can tailor your smart home to you.

The newly improved SmartThings Hub also allows you to:

• Receive alerts and notifications from connected devices wherever you are when something unexpected happens in your home. You will know just in an instant if there is a leak or intrusion, and even better you will never have to worry about leaving anything on accidently like your oven, iron or hair straighteners

• Manage connected devices in your home with SmartThings scenes for Good Morning, Goodbye and Good Night. For example, with a single tap to the Good Night scene on your app, you can arm your security alarm, lock the doors, turn off the TV and lights, activate motion sensors and link them to your security camera to start recording, change the temperature, and have a peaceful sleep knowing SmartThings is protecting your home.

• Use Automations which can control devices and run scenes whenever certain conditions are met. Automate connected devices in your home and set them to turn on or off when doors are opened, as people come and go, and much more.

• Control connected devices in your home with voice commands using SmartThings and Samsung Bixby, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Multipurpose Sensor

The sensor opens up a world of possibilities, putting you in control of the things you want to monitor in your home. Consisting of two independent pieces, it works by alerting if you if one sensor is moved away from the other. You no longer have to worry if you’ve left your doors or windows open when you’re not home, and even removes the pain of fumbling for the light switch as you can set connected lights to turn on and off as you open doors, windows and even cupboards.

Motion Sensor

Take your home security to the next level with the new Motion Sensor, which lets you know if there’s any movement in your home. The sensor can be placed in the most challenging of areas thanks to a magnetic ball mount, and allows you to adjust the sensor angle up to 120 degrees to detect motion in its field of view.

After you’ve established a routine with the sensor you can set connected devices to turn on and off as you come and go.

Water Leak Sensor

The sensor will monitor for any moisture and let you know when a leak is detected, but most importantly turn off connected devices when it is, whether it’s your dishwasher or washing machine.

The Button

Samsung also announces a new addition to the SmartThings range, the Button, which allows you to control lights, electronics, small appliances and monitor temperature at the touch of a button. You can customise actions with a single or double tap, or long press to set multiple lights, electronics, and small appliances to turn on and off.

The upgraded SmartThings Hub and sensors will be available both in store and online at several leading UK retailers as well as online at Samsung.com.

Taste of London is a showcase of the capital’s best restaurants, chefs and food and drink brands, taking place this summer from 13-17 June. The festival promises wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, cocktail masterclasses and live entertainment.

Sat amongst a line-up of the world’s best chefs, latest and greatest restaurants and exquisite gourmet producers, Samsung’s unique culinary experience showcases the brand’s commitment to gastronomic excellence and innovation with products that make a real difference to consumers’ lives.

Offering over 1,000 experiences across the festival and providing visitors with an opportunity to test out Samsung’s latest cutting-edge cooking appliances, the Samsung Home Appliances Cookery School will present the new Dual Cook Flex oven & Induction Hob with Virtual Flame Technology. It will see tutors from the School of Wok teach industry tips, tricks and techniques to get visitors cooking with confidence. After whipping up a storm in the Samsung kitchen, visitors will be able to sit back, relax and enjoy their very own perfectly crafted dish.

The innovative Dual Cook Flex oven, which was unveiled earlier this year, features the ability to separate the main oven into two with individual oven controls, as well as a hinged Flexible Door that provides home chefs with outstanding flexibility and precision cooking control. It offers a range of smart features for optimised cooking that fits into everyday life, such as allowing users to conveniently start preheating the oven and remotely monitor and control cooking conditions while on the go via the SmartThings app . The hobs in the Cookery School will use the revolutionary virtual flame technology on the Virtual Flame cooktop, which provides the intuitive visual control of flames against the saucepan.

Places at the Samsung Home Appliances Cookery School are free of charge and can be reserved at the festival on a first-come, first-served basis. Sessions will run daily at 13.00, 14.00 & 15.00 for afternoon sessions and 18.30, 19.30 & 20.30 for evening sessions. The chef and dish schedule will be announced shortly.

Getting Smart around the Home

One of Samsung’s major smart products is the Family Hub 2.0 refrigerator, which launched earlier this year. It uses voice recognition to provide an intuitive way for users to not just connect with their kitchen, but also the world around them. Say, “Can you purchase cheese?” and the refrigerator asks you, “Which product? Please tell me the number.” as it shows an app screen that lets you order food directly from the screen. You can play music or find out what the weather is like as you communicate with the smart refrigerator. It even gives you ideas if you need recipe inspiration.

Next, there is QuickDrive, an intelligent washing machine that was showcased during IFA 2017. It includes an AI-powered laundry assistant called Q-rator, which suggests the best cycle for your laundry based on information you input. Tell it what type of garments you want to wash, how dirty they are and what color they are and it will do the rest. It also lets you set the time for when the loads will be done, meaning your washing will be ready at a time that’s convenient for you. Plus, the system monitors the machine remotely and alerts you if it’s having any issues.

Last but not least, there is POWERbot, Samsung’s smart robot vacuum cleaner that received a 2017 CES Innovation Award. It uses a full suite of sensors to map your space, remember where it’s cleaned, and detect and work around any obstacles in its way, while automatically adjusting its suction power on different surfaces.

Samsung, the Leading Player in the Smart Appliances Era 

The Family Hub sits at the core, serving as the nerve center of a broader connected ecosystem in the home. Each connected home appliance can be configured to reflect the unique preferences for every household. It is a true smart evolution that brings a meaningful experience to users. What’s more, Samsung’s hardware analyzes user information more effectively than ever, and that is what makes Samsung a company with true innovative competitiveness.

The company recently announced its plan to apply Samsung Connect to its various home appliances at IFA 2017. Samsung Connect is a connectivity platform capable of connecting and controlling IoT devices regardless of their operating system. When the smart functions of Samsung’s home appliances are connected through Samsung Connect, users will be able to enjoy a smart lifestyle.

As more and more intelligence is interwoven into new products and technology, Samsung Smart appliances will evolve IoT and deep learning technology, creating a great deal of synergy. It won’t be long until home appliance products use their IQ to provide users more convenience and more time to do the things they enjoy.