Samsung Says 2016 Smart TV Lineup Will Feature SmartThings IoT Support

Soon after LG revealed its 2016 Smart TV plans, Samsung on Tuesday confirmed that all 2016 Smart TVs will be compatible with SmartThings, its home automation platform. The South Korean giant also revealed that all of its SUHD TVs will have IoT Hub technology enabling the TV to control other smart appliances.

The new range of SUHD TVs will be able to connect with and control Samsung devices and SmartThings sensors, as well as over 200 other SmartThings compatible devices such as connected lights, locks, thermostats, and cameras. Samsung will be showcasing its 2016 range of Smart TVs at CES 2016. The company so far has not detailed the exact models set to be revealed at the CES show in early January.

To recall, Samsung bought home automation company, SmartThings, back in 2014. The South Korean firm has revealed that it developed the IoT hub technology with SmartThings for its 2016 SUHD TVs.

For those unaware, SmartThings enables users to control/ access all of the smart devices directly from their smartphone and SUHD TV, instead of using separate devices with different apps.

For accessing all compatible smart appliances, users will need to plug a USB adapter dubbed SmartThings Extend, which will allow users to monitor and control ZigBee and Z-Wave devices into the TV. Samsung in its press statement says that the SmartThings Extend is free hinting that it might come bundled with the 2016 Smart TVs. The company claims that with the help of SmartThings Extend, users will able to control and manage over 200 compatible devices.

Additionally, the SmartThings SUHD app will allow users to trigger different SmartThings Routines, get notifications when important events happen as well as see what's happening in and around home with compatible cameras, and control connected devices-all from the Samsung Smart TV.

Announcing the new 2016 TV line-up, Hyun Suk Kim, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics said, "The 2016 line-up of Smart TVs will offer consumers new possibilities and cement Samsung's market leading position, as the first company to launch IoT ready TVs."

Alex Hawkinson, CEO and Co-founder of SmartThings said, "With Samsung Smart TVs working with the SmartThings technology, we have an opportunity to reach millions of households. 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."