Samsung Electronics announced a revamp of its SmartThings home range, with a new Wi-Fi router with mesh networking and an updated home hub. The new products launch first in the US, and include also a new motion sensor, plug and and button to control connected devices in the home.
Samsung partnered with Plume to integrate its AI-based mesh Wi-Fi optimization into the new SmartThings Wifi router. The Plume platform adapts to home internet usage to intelligently allocate bandwidth, mitigate interference, and deliver maximum Wi-Fi capacity across the home, selecting the optimal band and frequency channel for each device so users can get the fastest speed possible. Users can also set parental controls to manage screen time and set-up special logins and passwords for guests using the Plume HomePass feature.
Each of the 802.11ac routers has a range of 1,500 square feet, and Samsung will offer a three-pack covering 4,500 square feet. Users can expand coverage by adding additional mesh routers to the set-up and manage the devices with a mobile app. The SmartThings Wifi 3-pack retails for USD 279.99, and the single device costs USD 119.99. It is available on Samsung.com and at retailers nationwide in the US.
New smart home hub
In addition to the router, Samsung is updating its SmartThings Hub. The new, more compact SmartThings Hub comes with the latest Zigbee, Z-wave and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity protocols and can now connect over Wi-Fi as well, without the need for an Ethernet cable. This gives users more flexibility to place the smart home hub anywhere in the home.
Also new is an upgraded SmartThings Motion Sensor, which comes with a magnetic ball mount, so consumers can adjust the tilt angle for a wider view range to detect motion and trigger automated events. Samsung is also introducing the new SmartThings Button with programmable triggers that manually control routines around the home, like setting 'Movie Mode' on the home theater and lighting systems, without having to go into the SmartThings app. The SmartThings Button, like the rest of the SmartThings sensor line, also monitors temperature in an area of the home and signals the smart thermostat to adjust automatically.
The new SmartThings Hub costs USD 69.99, the sensors range from USD 19.99 to USD 24.99), the Button is priced at USD 14.99, and the Smart Outlet costs USD 34.99.
