SMART HOME Posts on XDA

Samsung SmartThings integration with Google Nest goes live

Samsung SmartThings integration with Google Nest goes live

January 15, 2021
Google and Samsung have confirmed that the promised tighter integration between Google Nest and Samsung Smartthings has been launched, following its announcement at the end of last year. Although quietly announced alongside yesterday's Samsung Unpacked launch, reports on Reddit suggest it actually went live at the start of the week, offering control for Nest cameras,...
Arlo and Alarm.com made touchless video doorbells

Arlo and Alarm.com made touchless video doorbells

January 12, 2021
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and it seems that's true of the global pandemic, which has seen not one, but two contactless doorbells being announced at CES, from Alarm.com and ex-Netgear subsidiary Arlo. The Alarm.com Touchless Video Doorbell works using a doormat sensor which rings when the caller steps on it....
Look for Seamless Setup support on your next Google Assistant smart home gadget

Look for Seamless Setup support on your next Google Assistant smart home gadget

December 17, 2020
If you've ever had the pleasure of setting up a cheap Chinese smart bulb, you'd know that the setup process can sometimes be a bit of a hassle. You often have to download an app from the smart bulb's manufacturer, create an account on that app, connect the smart bulb to the app, and then...
Best Smart Home gifts under $100

Best Smart Home gifts under $100

December 9, 2020
The concept of a “smart home” is something that, ten years ago, would have been reserved for elite sportsmen and James Bond villains. These days, there are so many different products, it’s difficult to know where to start - particularly when many OEMs are trying to produce devices because they can, not always because they’re...
Google Nest and Samsung SmartThings devices to work together fully, at last

Google Nest and Samsung SmartThings devices to work together fully, at last

December 8, 2020
Google Nest and Samsung SmartThings have agreed to start playing nice, after years of being largely incompatible, rival systems. As two of the largest ecosystems for smart home, closer cooperation between the two is a massive step in breaking down the fragmentation that has built up as thousands of companies attempt to make their eco-system...
Ring recalls some batches of its smart doorbells due to overheating risk

Ring recalls some batches of its smart doorbells due to overheating risk

November 11, 2020
Ring, the Amazon-owned smart security company, is recalling selected batches of its iconic smart doorbells after a potential overheating hazard was discovered. The recall affects the Ring 2nd Generation Video Doorbell, first released in 2018. Although, when connected and installed correctly, the units pose no threat, if incorrect screws are used, it can cause the...
[Update: Continued Support] Google has discontinued the Nest Secure alarm system

[Update: Continued Support] Google has discontinued the Nest Secure alarm system

October 28, 2020
Google has confirmed to AndroidPolice that the Nest Secure alarm system it launched in 2017 has been discontinued. The product, made up of a combination keypad and siren called the Nest Guard and a series of sensors has been unavailable on the Google Store for a week or so, and now we have confirmation that...
Xiaomi demos intuitive smart home controls with Ultra-Wide Band technology

Xiaomi demos intuitive smart home controls with Ultra-Wide Band technology

October 12, 2020
One of the features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra was Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology. UWB is used for initiating faster device-to-device connections, taking advantage of the precise, indoor positioning features enabled by the technology. After Samsung, now Xiaomi has announced plans for UWB (ultra-wideband) technology adoption, using it to unify smart home products...
This developer made a tool to schedule Google Assistant commands

This developer made a tool to schedule Google Assistant commands

July 28, 2020
Google Assistant offers a lot of functionality as a digital assistant, and a fair few of it extends to smart home and automation. Google provides some scheduling functionality for smart homes through Routines, which allow users to launch certain tasks routinely whenever certain conditions are met. Over the years, functionality under Routines has expanded, but...
Google announces new developer features at the “Hey Google” Smart Home Summit

Google announces new developer features at the “Hey Google” Smart Home Summit

July 7, 2020
This week, Google is hosting its virtual "Hey Google" Smart Home Summit. This is a 2-day event focused on the new tools and features for the smart home developer community. At the event, Google is announcing a few platform tools and routines for developers to be aware of. New Devices for the Smart Home for Entertainment...
Google is hosting a “Hey Google” Smart Home Summit to unveil new Google Assistant developer tools

Google is hosting a “Hey Google” Smart Home Summit to unveil new Google Assistant developer tools

June 30, 2020
Google I/O 2020, which was scheduled for May, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other tech companies, Google has been trying to make up for it with virtual events. The latest virtual event from the Mountain View company is the "Works with 'Hey Google' Smart Home Summit" on July 8th. The "Hey Google"...
Android 11’s power menu device controls finally bring the phone into the smart home

Android 11’s power menu device controls finally bring the phone into the smart home

June 14, 2020
Android 11 Beta 1 was released this week and it includes a bevy of great features. One that has stuck out to me ever since we first spotted it in earlier Developer Previews is the Device Controls in the Power Menu. As someone who has invested in smart home devices, this is a very exciting...