Samsung's SmartThings launches a powerful, privacy-friendly hub

BERLIN — Smart home technology is finally leaving the “Tinker Toy” phase and becoming a viable solution for average consumers.

Samsung wants to be a part of that revolution, which is why, last year, it bought SmartThings, a smart home technology startup with a very open view. Now SmartThings is ready to ship its first product line since being gobbled up by the consumer electronics giant.

On Thursday at IFA 2015, SmartThings introduced a fresh line of slimmed-down sensors for water, presence and motion and a much smarter hub. The company also gave its app an overhaul, making it easier to manage all the products you connect to the SmartThings hub. The app can automatically assign actions for tripped sensors or users can go in and easily program if-then actions. In a brief demo I got, it all looked pretty easy. There are also thousands of custom-build apps from the user community. Read more...