Samsung is looking to consolidate on the number of devices a tech-consumer needs to have a connected home with today’s announcement of its Connect Home Smart Wi-Fi System. The system is comprised of a home router that has a smart hub – based on SmartThings – built right into it and is capable of communications with devices on a smart home network via Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, Zigbee or Z-wave. That opens up a wealth of devices it can communicate with, including security cameras, speakers, lighting systems, and a variety of Samsung’s own home appliances and their associated apps. The obvious implication of Samsung’s announcement is that with the new system, a consumer won’t need to buy and spend hours configuring an inordinate number of devices just to ensure that everything in their home can be connected. That should also ensure a much easier experience for even the least tech-savvy users, which could turn out to be the product’s biggest draw.
Although the router does not have an official pricing or availability date as of this writing, it is known that it will be sold by Samsung either as a single product or in sets of three. While most users would likely be okay with a single device, that should make it an easier purchase for those users who have configured a mesh network for their home. Purchasing a set of three would also be useful for any consumer who may need a range greater than the 1,500 square feet offered by the Connected Home Smart Wi-Fi System. It is also known that there will be a basic and pro version of the system that will have somewhat different specifications. Both systems will feature dual-band 802.11ac connections but the basic version will offer 866Mbps, as compared to the pro version’s 1.7Gbps. The basic version also has a less powerful processor, a 719MHz quad-core chip, compared to the pro version’s 1.7GHz dual-core chip. Both will, however, come with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage, and both are set to feature dual RJ-45 Ethernet ports.
It is anybody’s guess when the new router will release because there is no time frame that’s been provided. The specs of the device do fall in line with many of the currently available competing devices. That said, and since competition is mounting in the connected home sector, Samsung likely plans to release it sooner rather than later.
