X

SmartThings 2.0 makes its debut on the Samsung stage (pictures)

After being acquired by Samsung in 2014, the long-promised second-gen SmartThings Hub is here, and Samsung had it on full display at its IFA 2015 keynote address in Berlin.

Ry Crist
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
Andrew Lanxon Editor At Large, Lead Photographer, Europe
Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
Expertise Smartphones, Photography, iOS, Android, gaming, outdoor pursuits Credentials
  • Shortlisted for British Photography Awards 2022, Commended in Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022
Ry Crist
Andrew Lanxon
samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-8.jpg
1 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

SmartThings 2.0

BERLIN -- A new generation of SmartThings connected home gadgets is here, including an upgraded Hub to control all of your smart home gear. We got our hands on all of it at Samsung's presser at the IFA tech conference here. Click through to see what's what.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-2.jpg
2 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

SmartThings Motion Sensor

The new motion sensor is a bit smaller than the first one, but works the same way. If it sees something moving, your system will know.

You can use that motion to trigger things to happen automatically. It's a handy way to train your lights to come on when you enter a room, or to start to build your own security system.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-3.jpg
3 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

SmartThings Multi Sensor

SmartThings calls them Multi Sensors, but typically, these are called door and window sensors, or open/closed sensors.

Stick the large part on your door or window frame and the small part on the door or window itself. They're magnetically attracted to one another, so when you open the door and separate them, the system knows.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-7.jpg
4 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

SmartThings Switch

The system's plug-in Smart Switch is basically unchanged, though like the rest of the sensors and accessories, it's a bit smaller.

Plug it in and plug something else in behind it, and you'll be able to turn that thing on and off remotely using the SmartThings app. You can also automate it to come on at certain times or when certain conditions are met -- a lamp that turns on when the motion detector sees you walk into the room, for instance.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015.jpg
5 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

UK version

Don't worry if you're in the UK -- there's a version of the switch for you, too.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-5.jpg
6 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

SmartThings Presence Sensor

Here's the SmartThings Presence Sensor. Again, there's not much that's new from the original version save for the slightly smaller design.

The sensor simply keeps track of comings and goings into your home. Clip it to your keychain, toss it in your kid's backpack, or clip it to your dog's collar. SmartThings will know when they're home -- and when they're not.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-6.jpg
7 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

SmartThings Moisture Sensor

The Moisture Sensor does what it promises -- it senses moisture. Put one in your basement or under your sink, and you'll know right away when something springs a leak.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-4.jpg
8 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

SmartThings Hub

Finally, here's the new SmartThings Hub. Plug it into your router, where it'll manage all of your devices wirelessly.

There are a couple of key upgrades to the second-generation version. These include a faster processor that lets it stream a smart camera's video feed on the SmartThings app, a battery backup for power outages and a local cache of automations to help keep things running when the Internet goes out.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-9.jpg
9 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Starter kits

Starter kits including the new hub are available from today. They should be arriving in select retail outlets in the coming weeks.

samsung-smart-things-iot-ifa-2015-10.jpg
10 of 10 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Extras

You can also buy more sensors a la carte style. Or select from the growing number of third-party devices that work with the SmartThings system.

For more from IFA 2015, check out CNET's complete coverage.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos