Your next Samsung HD television could be a hub that ties all the connected devices in your home together. The Korea-based electronics manufacturer revealed today that its 2016 smart TV lineup will contain SmartThings sensors, making it Internet of Things (IoT)-compatible.
The company will be enabling support for its SmartThings technology regionally, but hasn’t yet revealed where it’ll start. Presumably, it’s going to wait until the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next month to divulge that information.
Samsung acquired SmartThings in 2014 for around $200 million. Through the deal, SmartThings would be able to expand its platform, which allows users to connect, manage, and control their smart devices and IoT services. The integration with Samsung hardware is a significant step, especially with the lineup that it has across televisions, washers and dryers, refrigerators, phones, and more.
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“With Samsung Smart TVs working with the SmartThings technology, we have an opportunity to reach millions of households,” said Alex Hawkinson, CEO and cofounder of SmartThings. “Applying this technology into current household devices is a major step forwards that will make it much easier for everyone to experience the benefits of a smart home.”
Should this work out as Samsung hopes — by turning your television into the hub for the entire home — you’re going to have all pertinent information routed through the largest screen you own. Chances are, you’re going to have the TV on most of the time that you’re home, whether you’re channel surfing, playing a game, or streaming movies. So now you’ll get security notifications from people at your door, find out if your laundry is done, receive a notice if you’re low on milk, and much more.
If you’re interested in the IoT space, you might want to hold off on buying that new TV, at least for another month or so. The details available right now are pretty limited, so you’ll have to wait until the company’s announcement at CES next week.
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