SmartThings announced a giant step towards the company’s goal of an open Internet of Things platform including several key updates to the SmartThings app on 21 May. The company said that it will create a better app experience that controls all of the SmartThings-connected devices around their homes. The average number of devices that can be connected per household has heightened from 5 to 10.
SmartSetup section will let SmartThings users integrate new devices and also set up actions and alerts.
It has been a tough journey for the firm to build a platform for developers looking to build applications around an increasingly broad set of connected devices available for the home, over the past two years.
SmartThings new certification program feature for device makers let customers choose from more products that are compatible with SmartThings. Once certified, these products will be enrolled in SmartThings list of approved and compatible devices. There are now more than 100 approved and compatible devices on the platform and more than 5,000 developers. The manufacturers list includes, Honeywell, GE/Jasco, Kwikset and Aeon etc. Leviton and CentraLite were also added to the list as per the announcement today.
One can still manually control the switched or set up its own automated triggers, the attention will be given to pre-programmed recipes.
The family members track keeping app, Jawbone smart wristband and Life360 is in the pipeline.
SmartThings also has given third-party developers the ability to publish their own creations “SmartApps” within the native SmartThings app so that customers can easily use them. SmartThings just announced their partnership with Cross Country Home Services, a provider of TotalProtect, which provides service plans that will allow doing things like installation of locks, home maintenance and repair, and home warranties.
SamrtThing app’s current form has got a bit confusing layout and topsy-turvy, apparently redundant settings. The new version, available to iOS users the night of May 21 and for Android users it is coming by early June. It is envisioned to clear that confusion up with subtle design twists, and enhanced features.
“SmartApps,” are thoroughly inspected for compliance with system security best practices.
We will check if it leads in the field of the concept of “one system to rule them all,” that has been in the queue for long waiting for the incredible implementation.
