Samsung has confirmed that it’s upcoming 2016 SUHD Smart TV range will be compatible with SmartThings, the companies home automation platform. The Smart TVs will have the Internet of Things (IoT) hub technology built in, and will easily provide Smart Home control features to millions of consumers. The TV itself will now become the controller for your Smart Home.
“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.” said Hyun Suk Kim, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.
Users will be able to connect and control various smart appliances and also be able to take direct input from sensors and video cameras. Last year Samsung made a major splash with its new TV hardware and Tizen Operating System at CES 2015, and now the company will expand on the Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities that is has to offer at CES 2016.
If you want to control additional compatible devices users will need to plug in a USB adapter called SmartThings Extend, used to Integrate with ZigBee and Z-Wave protocol devices, which are currently around 200 depending on your geographical location. There is no word on pricing for this unit, but there is also the possibility of it being FREE.
We are now only a matter of days away from the reveal at CES 2016. It is hoped that these features come to Samsung 2015 SUHD range of TVs via a software update but there is no news on this at the moment. Keep tuned to Tizen Experts for further Information.
