Latest Galaxy Watch update brings new smart home controls to your wrist
Samsung continues to invest in connecting its smartwatch platform to smart home devices with the purpose of expand its ecosystem. The company doubled down on these efforts five years ago when it released the SmartThings app for the Gear S3 and Gear Sport, and it hasn’t looked back since. The app literally put smart home controls on users' wrists, allowing them to adjust thermostats or adjust ambient lighting without taking their phones out of their pockets. Samsung is now expanding its SmartThings ecosystem to include additional devices such as Ring andNest cameras, as well as other smart home products.
The South Korean tech gianthas announcedthat it will roll out more smart home controls to Galaxy Watch devices, presumably theGalaxy Watch 5and Watch 4 lines. This means you’ll be able to view live streams from yourRing doorbellor Nest cameras right on your smartwatch. For Ring camera owners, supported Galaxy Watch models will allow them to speak with a visitor at the front door using the smartwatch’s two-way intercom feature.
This is not surprising given that Samsungadded Nest support to the SmartThings appin early 2021. The integration bridged the gap between one of the leading ecosystems for managing smart home devices and one of the largest manufacturers of those devices. Customers previously had to use separate software to control their Nest devices even if these were already compatible with SmartThings.
In addition to the Nest and Ring integration, you’ll be able to control otherconnected smart devicessuch as your blinds, air purifiers, and thermostats all from your wrist, providing simple control over your environment. The SmartThings app for Galaxy Watch already supports smart TVs, air conditioners, lights, and speakers.
With the new update, Samsung is also emphasizing convenience. You can access the SmartThings app’s functions by swiping from the watch face without the need to open it. SmartThings already has the advantage of being more of a home controller rather than a hub like those offered by Amazon or Google, and its footprint will only expand with the upcoming improvements.
Samsung did not specify when the update will be available for the Galaxy Watch, but it is expected to arrive early next month in conjunction with the unveiling of theGalaxy S23series.
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