Samsung Smartthings App Gets More Home Automation Capabilities, Including New Device Support And Improved Scene Management.

**SmartThings Gets a Major Update: Enhanced Automation and Integration Features**

Samsung has unveiled a significant update to its SmartThings app, a central hub for controlling the company’s vast array of IoT devices. The revamped app promises to revolutionize home automation, providing users with a more intuitive and seamless experience. By incorporating new automation features, integrations with Samsung Health, and support for the Matter 1.4 smart home connectivity standard, SmartThings aims to become the go-to app for users looking to create a smart home ecosystem. ### **New Automation Capabilities**
The SmartThings app now boasts an extensive set of automation features that enable users to create customized routines and scenarios to control their devices. This includes the ability to set routines to be repeated at specific intervals, such as weekly, monthly, or annually. By leveraging the app’s “Routines” feature, users can trigger a series of tasks, effectively automating their daily routines. For instance, imagine being able to set up a routine that turns off the lights in your home every night, automatically adjusting the temperature and lighting intensity to create a cozy atmosphere. This is just one example of the countless possibilities offered by SmartThings’ automation capabilities. ### **Integrations and Interactions**
The updated SmartThings app now features integrations with the Samsung Health app, allowing users to monitor their sleep patterns and receive insights on their daily habits. This new feature is particularly useful, as it ties in seamlessly with the app’s “Routines” feature, enabling users to set up automations based on their sleep patterns. Furthermore, SmartThings has added an intercom feature, enabling users to communicate with other devices in their home. For example, a user can receive a notification when someone is at the door, allowing them to respond accordingly. ### **Matter 1.4 Standard Support**
The SmartThings app now supports the Matter 1.4 smart home connectivity standard, which enables devices from various manufacturers to communicate with each other seamlessly. This means that users can now control a wider range of devices, including water heaters, heat pumps, solar power devices, and batteries, as well as mounted on-off switches and mounted dimmable load control devices. ### **Voice Messages and Sleep Tracking**
SmartThings can now drop voice messages to SmartThings-connected speakers at home, a feature that was previously available on Amazon’s Echo series of devices. This allows users to communicate with their smart devices in a more natural and intuitive way. The app also integrates with Samsung Health, enabling users to track their sleep patterns and receive insights on their daily habits. This data can then be used to set up automations, such as turning off the lights when going to bed or starting the TV on a specific channel in the morning. ### **Comparison to Competitors**
It’s worth noting that Samsung is late to the game when it comes to introducing this feature, as Amazon’s Echo series of devices has been able to drop voice messages since 2017. Apple also introduced a similar feature for HomePods in 2020. However, with the updated SmartThings app, Samsung is now catching up. ### **Conclusion**
The updated SmartThings app offers a significant improvement in home automation and integration features, making it an attractive option for users looking to create a smart home ecosystem. With its new automation capabilities, integrations with Samsung Health, and support for the Matter 1.4 standard, SmartThings is well-positioned to become a leading player in the smart home market. As users continue to demand more from their smart home devices, it’s exciting to see how Samsung will continue to innovate and expand the capabilities of its SmartThings app.