A system to link various household gadgets and appliances has been announced by Samsung, to be showcased at CES 2014 this week. Samsung Smart Home will allow Samsung devices in one’s household, including smart TVs, home appliances, and other smart devices to be controlled through one integrated platform.
The service will cover three main areas to begin with,
identified by Samsung as; Device Control, Home View and Smart Customer Service.
The Device Control part of Samsung Smart Home will allow consumers to control and monitor their smart devices from their smartphones, tablets and even connected devices such as the Galaxy Gear. Voice commands will also be used to control several appliances at once. For instance, users can switch off TV, lights and other selected appliances by saying ‘going out’ to their Samsung Galaxy Gear. Similarly, they can also switch off the TV and slowly dim the lights till they turn off in the room by saying ‘good night’ to their TV remote.
Home View aims to enable users to get a real-time look at their residence through in-built cameras found in many appliances as it streams on their smartphone whilst Smart Customer Services notifies users when appliances need servicing or consumables need replenishing.
Samsung exclusive for now, third party support coming later
Although initially Samsung would be limiting the service to its own products, the company will be looking at extending the service to third-party manufacturers in the future so it can be more widely used by consumers with a variety of branded devices and appliances in their homes.
However, there are doubts whether the firm’s rivals will support the system, reports BBC News. Martin Garner, a blogger who covers connected homes technologies for CCS Insight commented: “Samsung is the most aggressive competitor that exists, so, why would another manufacturer want to use its platform?”
Samsung also has plans to expand Smart Home into home energy, secure home access, eco home applications and health care, where it is looking to team up with third-party partners who work in these sectors. “With Samsung Smart Home, we are bringing our capabilities as the world’s number-one manufacturer of smart devices to make the connected home a reality for consumers today,” said Samsung’s Media Solutions Centre president Wonpyo Hong in a company press release. “In the coming days, we will continue to roll out better home services to our consumers to enable them to keep enjoying a brand-new experience of ‘Smart Living and Beyond’.”
When considering smart-home components; “brand loyalty across appliance categories isn't strong - research suggests if you buy a Samsung TV you don't become more likely to buy a Samsung fridge rather than one from another manufacturer. So, just having a grand vision like this doesn't mean people will go for it," says Gartner on the matter.
Other similar products being shown at the tradeshow this week include previously the featured Archos range of household control products including an Android-powered Smart Home Tablet, designed to control other connected devices.
