Samsung Unveils Smart Home Tech at CES 2024

Samsung is showcasing a series of new smart home technologies at this year’s CES, with a focus on customization and whole-home monitoring that the company said represents the “future of connected living.”

CES 2024 is taking place Jan 9-12 in Las Vegas.

Updates to the company’s smart home offerings include a TV-centered smart home experience, a digital map of a consumer’s home that pinpoints connected devices and a QR code service that allows smart home devices to be shared from user to guest, with tailored control for each user.

TV As Smart Home Hub 

The ‘TV-centered smart home experience’ allows users to monitor and manage all connected smart home devices from their TVs, turning the television into a smart home hub.

According to Samsung, the service is designed to create a more immersive home entertainment experience, prioritizing convenience “without interrupting content viewing.”

“Your TV can now effortlessly detect your smartphone, turning it into an instant remote, eliminating the hassle of searching for multiple controllers,” the company said in a statement. “The SmartThings TV Quick Panel is a non-intrusive interface for quick access to core functions via a remote control, bridging the gap between Samsung TV features and comprehensive connectivity.” 

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The service is also designed to automatically turn on when a user approaches the screen, displaying real-time information on devices as well as the typical entertainment options.

“As technology continues to evolve, televisions will become more than a household device – they will serve as a gateway to more connected, immersive, and dynamic experiences for the whole family,” Samsung said. “From staying informed about your home’s status to enjoying more captivating movie and TV sessions, SmartThings is introducing users to a lifestyle where entertainment and home efficiency easily coexist.”

Credit: Samsung

Map View

Also announced at CES is Samsung’s Map View feature, a service that creates a digital map of a home and locates connected devices within it to enable more streamlined smart home management.

This allows homeowners to manage their home environments, offering real-time monitoring of cameras, temperature, remaining laundry time, and other essential data. It also provides energy usage data so users can manage their energy consumption.

Users can also create AI characters in Map View, providing a visual means of monitoring a home. For example, if your home is too warm, the AI characters will appear to be sweating. 

QR Code News

Finally, Samsung introduced its QR Code News, a tool to share smart home devices and routines with guests simply by scanning a QR code.

“In the evolving landscape of smart home technology, convenience and personalization have become more important than ever,” the company said in a blog post. “As reliance on smart devices grows, so does the need for seamless integration and effortless control.”

Users can also tailor smart home settings using the QR code, allowing guests to control specific devices and create their own routines.

“SmartThings QR Codes are all about better connecting your devices and the people you love,” Samsung said. “This is another meaningful step in removing barriers to enter and expanding the access people have to smart home technology.”