SmartThings is getting a brain upgrade. Samsung’s smart home platform now lets users create routines by simply typing or speaking what they want instead of clicking through endless menus like some kind of digital maze. About time, honestly.
Samsung finally lets you speak automation routines into existence instead of navigating menu hell.
The integration of AI models, including ChatGPT, means you can just say “Turn on the lights when I get home” and boom – routine created. No more manually linking triggers to actions or pretending you understand what a conditional statement is. The feature’s still experimental, but Samsung plans to roll it out wider with future SmartThings and One UI 8 releases.
Here’s the thing – it actually works. Both local language models and external AI platforms interpret these natural language requests, though short prompts work best. Try getting too fancy with complex commands and the AI might have a stroke. Simple beats complicated every time.
The upgraded Bixby plays a big role here. It understands multi-intent commands now, meaning you can string together unrelated tasks in one breath. “Check the weather, start the laundry, and turn on the robot vacuum” – all in one go. The system even remembers previous conversations for multi-step tasks, which is genuinely impressive for a voice assistant that used to struggle with basic commands. Regular firmware updates are critical for maintaining smart home compatibility across different devices and protocols.
Compatibility isn’t an issue either. SmartThings utilizes the Matter protocol, works with Google Nest devices, and supports anything certified with Works With SmartThings. The platform’s IoT layer coordinates operations across multiple brands, so your Samsung fridge can finally talk to your Philips lights without a translator. The new update even allows SmartTag links to be shared with iPhone users through URL sharing, breaking down ecosystem barriers that previously limited device tracking to Samsung users only.
The real win? Accessibility. Regular people who don’t speak tech can finally set up smart home automation without wanting to throw their phone against the wall. Commands are customizable in plain English. No manual configuration required. No technical jargon to decode. The AI-generated routines serve as starting points that users can tweak to their liking, making the whole process less intimidating.
Sure, the AI struggles with overly complex instructions and the feature’s still being tested. But for once, smart home tech is moving toward actual smartness. The days of maneuvering labyrinthine menus might finally be numbered.
Now if only they could make the devices cheaper.
