Samsung is upgrading its SmartThings platform, bringing new AI-powered routine creation features and expanding support for Apple devices, including enhanced Apple Watch integration. These updates aim to make smart home management simpler and more widely accessible for users across different mobile ecosystems.
Key Takeaways:
- SmartThings now includes an AI-powered Routine Creation Assistant, allowing users to build automations using simple language.
- Apple Watch users gain more direct control over SmartThings devices and locations.
- SmartThings Find now allows sharing SmartTag locations with Apple users who have Samsung accounts.
- The SmartThings app for iOS now supports Dark Mode.
- These changes reflect Samsung’s focus on cross-platform compatibility and leveraging AI for user convenience.
Samsung’s SmartThings platform, a central part of the company’s smart home strategy, has long aimed to connect a broad range of devices from various brands. SmartThings, founded in 2012 and acquired by Samsung in 2014, has evolved from producing its own hardware to focusing on software solutions that connect millions of smart home devices globally. The platform allows users to monitor and control appliances, lights, sensors, and more, creating automated routines for daily living.
A key addition is the new AI-powered Routine Creation Assistant. This feature lets users create complex routines by simply typing natural language phrases, such as “Turn off all the lights when I leave the house.” The assistant, powered by large language model technology, aims to simplify the setup process for new users and speed up configuration for experienced ones, reducing the need for manual, step-by-step programming. This aligns with a broader industry trend of making smart home technology more intuitive through AI.
For Apple users, the updates bring important improvements. The SmartThings app for Apple Watch now offers more comprehensive control beyond just triggering pre-set routines. Users can switch between different home locations, control individual devices, and manage their smart home directly from their wrist. This allows for greater hands-free control, for example, unlocking doors or turning on lights before entering a house. The SmartThings iOS app also receives Dark Mode support, providing a more comfortable viewing experience in low-light conditions and potentially conserving battery life.
Furthermore, SmartThings Find, Samsung’s service for locating lost items using SmartTags, now supports cross-platform sharing. Galaxy users can send SmartTag location links directly to Apple users who have a Samsung account, making it easier for families or friends with different phone types to track shared items.
These updates reinforce Samsung’s commitment to supporting the Matter standard, an industry-wide effort to unify smart home connectivity. Matter aims to make smart home devices from different manufacturers work together seamlessly, improving compatibility and user experience. Samsung has been a strong proponent of Matter, ensuring its SmartThings platform and many of its smart home hubs (including newer Samsung TVs, Smart Monitors, and Family Hub refrigerators) are compatible with Matter devices. This includes support for Matter 1.4, which expands compatibility with energy management devices like water heaters and solar power solutions.
The SmartThings app supports Apple devices running iOS 16.0 or later, iPad models with iPadOS 16.0 or later, and Apple Watch models with watchOS 9.0 or later. This broad compatibility highlights Samsung’s strategy to make SmartThings a versatile platform, appealing to a wide user base regardless of their smartphone brand.
Public discussions on various online forums and support platforms show that users often seek clearer instructions for setting up routines and connecting diverse devices. These new AI and cross-platform features directly address such user feedback, aiming to simplify the initial setup and ongoing management of smart homes. Samsung’s continuous investment in AI and wider compatibility reflects the competitive nature of the smart home market, where ease of use and broad device support are critical for user adoption.
FAQ
Q1: What is the new AI-powered routine feature in SmartThings?
A1: The new AI-powered Routine Creation Assistant in SmartThings allows you to create automated smart home routines by simply typing out what you want to happen in natural language. For example, you can write “Turn on the lights when I arrive home.”
Q2: How does SmartThings improve support for Apple Watch users?
A2: Apple Watch users can now do more than just trigger routines. They can switch between different home locations, control individual devices, and manage their smart home settings directly from their Apple Watch.
Q3: Can I share Samsung SmartTag locations with an iPhone user?
A3: Yes, with the latest update, Galaxy users can share SmartTag location links with Apple users, provided the Apple user has a Samsung account.
Q4: Which Apple devices are compatible with the updated SmartThings app?
A4: The SmartThings app supports iPhones with iOS 16.0 or later, iPads with iPadOS 16.0 or later, and Apple Watch devices running watchOS 9.0 or later.
Q5: Does SmartThings support the Matter smart home standard?
A5: Yes, Samsung SmartThings supports the Matter standard, including the latest Matter 1.4 update. This helps ensure better compatibility with a wider range of smart home devices from various manufacturers.
