Samsung SmartThings

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Samsung SmartThings.

What is SmartThings, you ask?  Well, they want to be THE Smart Home ‘brains’ for the masses.  SmartThings consists of a central hub that every compatible device communicates with.  Some devices have SmartThings connectivity built in, while other, less ‘smart’ devices can be controlled via SmartThings switches or SmartThings sensors.

SmartThings started life in a KickStarter and quickly smashed through it’s goal of a quarter million.  Samsung took notice and promptly bought the company just a few short years later.  Now that they have the backing and support of a tech giant like Samsung, they’ve been evolving their technology so much faster than they could have before.  And it really shows in their products (and firmware updates) they offer today.

There are SmartThings ‘things’ available for you to control a wide array of stuff in your home.  These include:

Motion Sensor – Just like those motion activated flood lights you’ve seen before, this time the sensor can be used to control practically anything!

Multipurpose Sensor (orientation, temperature) – Great for monitoring if all doors, windows, and even the garage are opened or closed.

Standard & Dimming Outlets – Control whatever device is plugged in, with lamps you can use a dimming outlet and bring that old lamp into the 21st century!

Arrival Sensor – Monitor presence, such as when you arrive home, or unexpected arrivals/depatures.  Create routines based on ‘Home from work’ or ‘Unexpected departure’… such possibilities!

Water Leak Sensor – This is a neat sensor that can detect water as well as temperature

And that’s just the SmartThings branded devices, there’s plenty more that are made by other companies… Leviton, Sengled, Sylvania, Yale Door Locks, and GE to name a few.




You can even connect up your SmartThings Hub with Amazon Echo, using Alexa to provide voice control of many SmartThings compatible devices such as lighting, switches (think fans, and any device plugged into a switch enabled outlet), thermostats, and more.  And, if you don’t have a device with Amazon’s Alexa, you can still use your voice to control some things with Google Assistant, the built-in voice activated assistant on Android phones!

 

 

If you’d like to join the bandwagon and make your home ‘smart’, then this is probably the most affordable and robust starting point: The Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit.

The Monitoring Kit contains:

1x Samsung SmartThings Hub

2x Samsung SmartThings Multipurpose Sensors

1x Samsung SmartThings Motion Sensor

1x Samsung SmartThings Outlet

Get your Smarthings Home Monitoring Kit today, but hurry before the current massive discount goes away!