SmartThings’ new smart-home ‘Hub’ will work even if your Internet or power goes down

SmartThings unveiled a major update to its Hub smart-home device today, enabling it to work even if your Internet or power goes down.

SmartThings made the announcement onstage today at the 2015 CES conference in Las Vegas during Samsung’s keynote speech. The announcement came shortly after Samsung chief executive Boo-Keun Yoon made the audience an interesting promise: “In five years,” he said, every single one of Samsung’s products will be a connected “Internet of Things” device.

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SmartThings said in a statement that the “new SmartThings Hub includes a more powerful processor and local app engine, built-in backup battery power, and expanded cellular connectivity. This will enable SmartThings to continue operating in the event of a power or Internet outage.”

Purchased by Samsung back in August, SmartThings says its new Hub and sensor product line will launch during the second quarter of 2015. The company adds that its Hub and sensors have been updated “with modified versions of the SmartSense Presence, SmartSense Motion, and SmartSense Multi sensors.”