Samsung SmartThings Hub (2015) is the second-generation Internet of Things (IoT) hub from SmartThings, a company owned by Samsung. Presented at IFA 2015, the new Samsung SmartThings Hub comes with an improved app, extra connectivity option and long-hour battery backup.
About the Hub
The Internet of Things, same as the Smart Home concept, refers to the idea of internet-connected devices in a home being able to communicate with one another for efficiency – for instance, a door telling the bulbs to turn off when you are off to work.
However, IoT devices are made by different manufacturers, with this creating problem of incompatibility. Samsung SmartThings Hub is designed to ensure the compatibility of these devices from diverse makers to make a smart home feasible.
So, the the SmartThings Hub helps all these IoT devices talk to each other.
The Design
The SmartThings Hub (2015) has a somewhat similar look as the last-generation hub. It still features a square-shaped design with a plastic body and nicely curved corners.
The sensors look smaller and sleeker. SmartThings says the sensors are redesigned to allow users add a more contemporary feel to their living space.
Superior App
The IoT hub comes with an upgraded app which users will find more intuitive and stress-free to use. Users are now able to organise and control connected devices according to rooms where they are situated – almost 200 devices are compatible with the Samsung SmartThings Hub (2015).
The app features a new integrated home monitoring solution called Smart Home Monitor, which alerts you and enable you take action when a situation requiring urgent attention in your home crops up. The Smart Home Monitor can send alerts with video clips of events that happen.
The improved SmartThings app will be available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms.
Other Details
Samsung SmartThings Hub (2015) now features an embedded Bluetooth 4.0 adapter along with the existing Wi-Fi, ZigBee and Z-Wave radios to make it possible to hook up more devices to the system.
There are two USB ports on the hub. According to its maker, the Smart Home hub boasts battery backup of up to 10 hours, which could be quite useful when there is a power outage.
