Samsung SmartThings Expands Support for IKEA Smart Devices

Introduction

The connected home just became easier to create due to an integration between Samsung’s SmartThings platform and IKEA’s newest smart devices.

The relationship between IKEA and Samsung is based on full integration to make things easy for consumers. By using a common standard called Matter, which allows all sorts of different products made by different manufacturers to interact with one another, it means that you can use whatever kind of product you want and not be concerned about how it will interact with your other devices.

Emerging Technology

IKEA has supported Samsung by providing support for 25 IKEA smart home devices that are compatible with the Matter protocol over Thread technology, including:

Smart light bulbs & plugs
water leak sensors
Air quality sensors
Remote control

This now means anyone who has these products will be able to use all of the smart home devices, regardless of who made them; therefore, they don’t need to wonder if they will work together.

Eliminating Additional Hubs

Among the other great things about this integration is how easy it is to build and maintain a smart home made of multiple brands of devices.

Prior to this integration, it was necessary for people setting up their smart home systems to have both IKEA Smart Home Hubs and SmartThings Hubs. That also, in order for the two hubs to communicate with one another.

Now, all IKEA Smart devices that are compatible with Matter are able to connect directly to SmartThings.

This is a huge benefit to users who want a simple smart home system. No more clutter of multiple hubs.

Still have your smart home’s multiple hubs? You’re welcome to turn them into an air plant holder.

Smart Home Technology Available for Everyone, Not just for techies

The main purpose of the relationship between IKEA and SmartThings is to allow everyone access to smart home technology. IKEA is known for its low-cost products, and by partnering with SmartThings, the opportunity to create smart homes is much greater for the average consumer.

Rather than having to spend a lot of money on elaborate systems, consumers have the opportunity to use simple devices like bulbs and plugs that provide a basic level of automation or enhancement to their homes without spending much money.

Why It Matters to The Industry

This partnership signifies a shift in the smart home industry.

Shift in the Industry

Closed ecosystems to open interoperability

Complex systems to simple plug and play

Premium to mass adoption

Matter allows devices to share the same language and work together, thereby reducing fragmentation among brands.

What Does This Mean to Users?

For all users of smart home technology, the following benefits can be achieved:

Simple to set up and to use because fewer devices are used.

Greater compatibility among devices.

Winding Up

The collaboration between Samsung SmartThings and IKEA’s Matter-ready device technology represents much more than just the addition of functionality; it also gives us an idea of what the future holds for the world of smart home systems.

We can only hope that in the years to come. There will be more “just work” devices, easier setup processes, so that everyone, not just the active and enthusiastic tech community, will have access to smart home capabilities.