If you’ve ever dreamed of living like the Jetsons, the latest announcement from Samsung brings us one step closer to making that dream a reality. Today, the Korean electronics manufacturer has detailed its new Smart Home service, which utilizes a single app that connects to a multitude of compatible devices, like TVs, smartphones, tablets, and even appliances to make home automation effortless and easy.
“We are excited that the launch of Samsung Smart Home makes the connected home a reality today and allows our customers to live a smarter life,” said Dr. WonPyo Hong, President and head of the Media Solution Center at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung Smart Home lets people live better, worry less and be smarter with their devices and appliances. We also have grand plans to enhance more and more parts of the home experience, especially with a view of expanding it to areas with high growth potential such as home safety and energy management.”
The service sounds pretty amazing. It pairs with the Samsung Smart Home app and lets you control multiple devices connected to the wireless home network simultaneously. It has some pretty intense features, like the ability to turn your TV off just by saying “Good Night” to your remote control, or set up and control your washer and dryer — even when you’re not at home. And the security-minded users out there can rest at ease because all of the data transmitted by the app is encrypted. It’s always nice to be able to rest assured that your data is safe, isn’t it?
To get the app, users will have to first register with their Samsung Account, then download it via either Samsung Apps or Google Play. The Galaxy Gear 2, powered by Tizen, will see its own version of the app in the near future, and an app for 2014 Smart TV models is planned for release later this month.
Each country and market has its own line-up and release schedule for products that work with the Samsung Smart service. In Korea, the line-up for the launch of the service includes the 2014 air conditioner model (Q9000), washer (Bubbleshot 3 W9000), all 2014 Smart TV models, Samsung Gear 2 and smart phones that have operating systems above Android 4.0, such as the Galaxy S5.
In the United States, products compatible with the service include the Samsung Smart French Door Refrigerator, the Samsung Smart Front Loading Washing Machine, all 2014 Smart TV models, Samsung Gear 2 and smart phones that have operating systems above Android 4.0. Smart Bulb and Smart Ovens will be added to the service in the second half of this year, including the functionality for “good night” voice recognition.
The Smart Home service will first begin rolling out in the United States and in Samsung’s homeland, Korea, with more countries around the world being added throughout the year. Do you own any smart appliances in your home? If so, are you looking forward to giving Samsung Smart Home a try? If not, is this new service enticing enough to make you consider replacing your old appliances?