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Updated company title to reflect acquisition by Samsung, revised infobox to show more accurate info, and fixed various typographical errors
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| name = SmartThings
| name = SmartThings
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| founder = Alex Hawkinson
| founder = Alex Hawkinson, Andrew Brooks, Jeff Hagins, Ben Edwards, James Stolp, Scott Vlaminck and Jesse O'Neill-Oine
| manufacturer = Physical Graph Corporation
| manufacturer = Physical Graph Corporation
| os = [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]]
| os = [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]]
| connectivity = [[Bluetooth]], [[Zigbee]], [[Z-wave]], [[Ethernet]]
| connectivity = [[Bluetooth]], [[Zigbee]], [[Z-wave]], [[Ethernet]]
| foundation = 2012
| foundation = 2012
| location = [[Palo Alto, California]]
| location = [[Washington, DC]]
| industry = [[Technology]]
| industry = [[Technology]]
| homepage = {{URL|smartthings.com}}
| homepage = {{URL|smartthings.com}}
}}
}}


'''Physical Graph Corporation''' (brand name: '''SmartThings''') is a technology company headquartered in [[Washington, DC]] with a [[software development]] center in [[Minneapolis, MN]] and an office in the [[San Francisco]] Bay Area. SmartThings is building an open platform for smart homes and the consumer [[Internet of Things]]. SmartThings makes a hub (sometimes called "gateway" or "home controller"), [[cloud computing|cloud]] [[software platform|platform]], and [[client (computing)|client applications]].
'''SmartThings Inc.''' is a technology company headquartered in [[Washington, DC]] with a [[software development]] center in [[Minneapolis, MN]] and an office in the [[San Francisco]] Bay Area. SmartThings is building an open platform for smart homes and the consumer [[Internet of Things]]. SmartThings makes a hub (sometimes called "gateway" or "home controller"), [[cloud computing|cloud]] [[software platform|platform]], and [[client (computing)|client applications]].
SmartThings enables consumers to connect, manage, and monitor their homes via their smartphones using the SmartThings mobile app for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]]. Inside the home, the SmartThings Hub can be paired with a variety of SmartThings’ branded sensors as well as third party connected devices. The Hub is sold on a stand-alone basis or as part of several starter smart home kits. These kits include the hub and a number of sensors and controllable devices focused around basic [[home security]] and [[home automation]].
SmartThings enables consumers to connect, manage, and monitor their homes via their smartphones using the SmartThings mobile app for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]]. Inside the home, the SmartThings Hub can be paired with a variety of SmartThings’ branded sensors as well as third party connected devices. The Hub is sold on a stand-alone basis or as part of several starter smart home kits. These kits include the hub and a number of sensors and controllable devices focused around basic [[home security]] and [[home automation]].


SmartThings is a modular and portable system to which customers can add hundreds of connected devices -- [[lock (device)|locks]], [[light switches]], [[electrical outlet|outlets]], [[thermostats]] and more -- from a variety of manufacturers. SmartThings is compatible with many devices running on popular home automation protocols [[Z-Wave]] and [[Zigbee]], as well as wifi-connected devices like [[Sonos]]’ wireless audio system or [[Withings]] digital body scale.protocols Z-Wave and Zigbee.
SmartThings is a modular and portable system to which customers can add hundreds of connected devices -- [[lock (device)|locks]], [[light switches]], [[electrical outlet|outlets]], [[thermostats]] and more -- from a variety of manufacturers. SmartThings is compatible with many devices running on popular home automation protocols [[Z-Wave]] and [[Zigbee]], as well as wifi-connected devices like [[Sonos]]’ wireless audio system or [[Withings]] digital body scale.


SmartThings is also building an open platform for the consumer Internet of Things and has created an open [[digital ecosystem|ecosystem]] of developers and inventors producing new types of connected physical objects and unique applications in the cloud that can control and automate how everyday objects work.
SmartThings is also building an open platform for the consumer Internet of Things and has created an open [[digital ecosystem|ecosystem]] of developers and inventors producing new types of connected physical objects and unique applications in the cloud that can control and automate how everyday objects work.
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===SmartThings Labs===
===SmartThings Labs===
SmartThings Labs was introduced in January 2014 as an area within the native app which allows users to access a series of projects that are being built by either the internal SmartThings team or a community of developers. These projects are still being worked on in production and are meant to give customers early access to upcoming product integrations. For example, SmartThings customers can access Labs to control their [[ecobee]] thermostats, [[Belkin WeMo]] switches, Quirky Pivot Power Genius, Sonos, [[Philips]] hue bulbs, and TCP light bulbs directly from the SmartThigns app, and also to trigger these products to adjust when various actions take place.<ref name="cnet3">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/smartthings-labs-brings-belkin-sonos-philips-more-into-the-fold/|title=SmartThings Labs brings Belkin, Sonos, [[Philips]], more into the fold|publisher=CNET|accessdate=10 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="businessinsiderlabs">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/smartthings-smart-labs-2014-1|title=This Tricked Out Smart Home Can Talk To You, Make You Drinks, And Even Mimic A Dog Barking|publisher=Business Insider|accessdate=10 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="readwrite" />
SmartThings Labs was introduced in January 2014 as an area within the native app which allows users to access a series of projects that are being built by either the internal SmartThings team or a community of developers. These projects are still being worked on in production and are meant to give customers early access to upcoming product integrations. For example, SmartThings customers can access Labs to control their [[ecobee]] thermostats, [[Belkin WeMo]] switches, Quirky Pivot Power Genius, Sonos, [[Philips]] hue bulbs, and TCP light bulbs directly from the SmartThings app, and also to trigger these products to adjust when various actions take place.<ref name="cnet3">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/smartthings-labs-brings-belkin-sonos-philips-more-into-the-fold/|title=SmartThings Labs brings Belkin, Sonos, [[Philips]], more into the fold|publisher=CNET|accessdate=10 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="businessinsiderlabs">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/smartthings-smart-labs-2014-1|title=This Tricked Out Smart Home Can Talk To You, Make You Drinks, And Even Mimic A Dog Barking|publisher=Business Insider|accessdate=10 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="readwrite" />


===IFTTT recipes===
===IFTTT recipes===

Revision as of 16:37, 22 August 2014

SmartThings
Company typePrivate
IndustryTechnology
Founded2012
FounderAlex Hawkinson, Andrew Brooks, Jeff Hagins, Ben Edwards, James Stolp, Scott Vlaminck and Jesse O'Neill-Oine
HeadquartersWashington, DC
Websitesmartthings.com

SmartThings Inc. is a technology company headquartered in Washington, DC with a software development center in Minneapolis, MN and an office in the San Francisco Bay Area. SmartThings is building an open platform for smart homes and the consumer Internet of Things. SmartThings makes a hub (sometimes called "gateway" or "home controller"), cloud platform, and client applications.

SmartThings enables consumers to connect, manage, and monitor their homes via their smartphones using the SmartThings mobile app for iOS and Android. Inside the home, the SmartThings Hub can be paired with a variety of SmartThings’ branded sensors as well as third party connected devices. The Hub is sold on a stand-alone basis or as part of several starter smart home kits. These kits include the hub and a number of sensors and controllable devices focused around basic home security and home automation.

SmartThings is a modular and portable system to which customers can add hundreds of connected devices -- locks, light switches, outlets, thermostats and more -- from a variety of manufacturers. SmartThings is compatible with many devices running on popular home automation protocols Z-Wave and Zigbee, as well as wifi-connected devices like Sonos’ wireless audio system or Withings digital body scale.

SmartThings is also building an open platform for the consumer Internet of Things and has created an open ecosystem of developers and inventors producing new types of connected physical objects and unique applications in the cloud that can control and automate how everyday objects work.

History

The company was founded by Alex Hawkinson (CEO), Andrew Brooks (COO), and Jeff Hagins (CTO), Ben Edwards, James Stolp, Scott Vlaminck and Jesse O'Neill-Oine. The group founded SmartThings in spring 2012 and first launched on Kickstarter in August 2012, raising $1.2 million.[1][2] The company has raised $15.5 million in capital to-date, including $12.5 million in a Series A round in November 2013 which was led by Greylock Partners and Highland Capital Partners.[3]

The idea for SmartThings was conceived by co-founder and CEO Alex Hawkinson in the winter of 2011 when his family's mountain house in Colorado was extensively damaged after a power outage caused the house's pipes to freeze and burst.[2][4][5][6] When power was restored, water flowed through the unoccupied house causing approximately $80,000 in damages.[7] Hawkinson noted that he could have prevented the damages if he had known what was happening inside the house.[7] After failing to find a suitable solution to the problem, Hawkinson and co-founders began to build a SmartThings working prototype.[7] [8]

2012

In September 2012 SmartThings secured $1.2 million through a Kickstarter campaign.[1] The company won the Spark of Genius startup competition at the Dublin Web Summit with a prize of €100,000 in October 2012.[9] It then raised a $3 million seed funding round in December 2012.[10][11]

2013

SmartThings began selling its products commercially in August 2013 on its own Web site and in September 2013 on Amazon.com.[12]

In November 2013 SmartThings raised $12.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Greylock Partners and Highland Capital Partners.[3][8][13][14][15][16]

In 2013 SmartThings updated its iOS mobile app with a newly designed user interface for increased usability.[17][18][19] Some features of the update included the creation of the app’s main dashboard which highlights primary use cases such as “doors and locks”, “lights and switches” and “dangers and damages”. It also introduced a simple rule-building approach so customers can customize SmartThings to fit their specific needs.[17] A PandoDaily article about the update noted that installs of the app grew from 30,000 to 130,000 after the release.[19]

2014

In May 2014 SmartThings released an another update of its mobile app and developer tools. The updated mobile app, which is designed to simplify the process of adding and managing new devices, has a broader range of actions and alerts that can be configured to control and automate the 100+ devices supported by the SmartThings platform. To bolster the platform's capabilities, the company also established standardized processes for software developers to follow when writing their own applications and configurations for how to automate their homes or connect smart devices to each other in order to enable a series of outcomes. Comparable to the App Store's review process, the updated developer toolset includes a certificate program and formalized submission and approval process.[20][21][22][23][24][25]

Connected home demonstration

In January 2014 at the International CES show, the company rented a house near downtown Las Vegas to demonstrate how devices can be integrated with SmartThings' services.[26] The demo also served to present SmartThings Labs, which allows users to access early-stage device integrations.[26][27] The connected house featured products from partners like Philips Hue, Belkin WeMo, and Sonos.[28] For one demonstration, a Jawbone UP24 triggered a morning wake-up routine that turned on kitchen lights, began brewing coffee, and tuned a Sonos Play1 to NPR News.[29][28]

Products and services

SmartThings' primary products include a free SmartThings app,[30] a SmartThings Hub,[31][30] as well as various sensors and smart devices.[30][32][27]

The SmartThings native mobile application allows users to control, automate, and monitor their home environment via mobile device. The application is configured to fit each user's needs.[33][31][30][31] The app's SmartSetup area, accessible from the app's dashboard, facilitates the process of adding new devices.[22] Customers can use the app to connect multiple devices at once or follow a dedicated path to configure one device at a time.[22]

The hub connects directly to a home's internet router and is compatible with communication protocols such as ZigBee, Z-Wave, and IP-accessible devices.[30][31][32] It serves to connect sensors and devices to one another and to the cloud, allowing them to communicate with the SmartThings native app.[30]

Some SmartThings compatible devices include, among others:

[30][31]

One example of a SmartThings starter bundle includes "a motion sensor, a moisture sensor, a smart outlet, two fobs with 'presence' sensors, and two multi-sensors that can detect movement, vibration, orientation and temperature."[27]

Online shop

In August 2013 SmartThings launched an online shop called SmartThings Shop that features a curated selection of home-automation devices.[12][34][35][36] Products listed on the shop include those made by SmartThings as well as third-party products from GE, Schlage, Kwikset, and Aeon, all of which are compatible with the SmartThings platform.[36] Products are arranged in categories such as starter kits,[36] common problem-solving solution sets,[36] and individual items.[35][36][34]

SmartThings Labs

SmartThings Labs was introduced in January 2014 as an area within the native app which allows users to access a series of projects that are being built by either the internal SmartThings team or a community of developers. These projects are still being worked on in production and are meant to give customers early access to upcoming product integrations. For example, SmartThings customers can access Labs to control their ecobee thermostats, Belkin WeMo switches, Quirky Pivot Power Genius, Sonos, Philips hue bulbs, and TCP light bulbs directly from the SmartThings app, and also to trigger these products to adjust when various actions take place.[35][37][7]

IFTTT recipes

SmartThings is integrated with IFTTT ("if this then that"), which enables users to trigger events when certain things happen on different web applications.[38] For example, an IFTTT recipe might state that if a particular user is tagged in a photo on Facebook, then SmartThings will act to trigger a sound or flash a light.[38][39]

Developer tools

SmartThings Web-based integrated development environment (IDE) provides resources for developers to create new rules within the SmartThings native app.[40] One creative example of third-party developers interacting with SmartThings includes the integration of Leap Motion capabilities into the SmartThings platform, enabling commands to be recognized through hand movements.[41]

Many of these third-party solutions then become available to all SmartThings customers through either the SmartThings Labs or SmartApp sections of the SmartThings app.[40][41]

Recognition

  • ReadWrite listed SmartThings as one of 10 companies that changed the narrative in 2013.[42]
  • Bloomberg News listed the SmartThings Home Kit as one of 15 Internet Devices to Make Life Easier -- or Less Annoying in 2013.[43]
  • The Star-Ledger included SmartThings in its list of Top Ten of Technology from 2013.[44]
  • CNET gave SmartThings a CNET editors' rating of 4 out of 5 stars in December 2013.[45]
  • Entrepreneur magazine listed SmartThings as one of Four Hot Tech Startups to Watch in 2014.[46]
  • Fast Company magazine ranked SmartThings as the fifth most innovative company in the Internet of Things in 2014.[47]
  • Forbes magazine listed SmartThings as one of five smart home companies to watch in 2014.[48]
  • Mashable included SmartThings in its list of 10 Startups to Watch in 2014.[49]

$200 million Acquisition by Samsung

In August 2014, SmartThings announced that they had reached an agreement to be acquired by Samsung and would operate as an independent company within Samsung's Open Innovation Center.[50] The acquisition was seen as a move by Samsung to move into the internet of things space.[51]

References

  1. ^ a b "SmartThings: Make Your World Smarter". KickStarter. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  2. ^ a b Frizell, Sam. "This Startup is Trying to Create—and Control—the Internet of Your Home". Time. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  3. ^ a b Lawler, Ryan. "SmartThings Raises $12.5 Million From Greylock And Highland To Power The Internet Of Things". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  4. ^ Segall, Laurie. "SmartThings will let you run your world by smartphone". CNNMoney. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  5. ^ Thibodeau, Patrick. "SmartThings founder sees a limitless Internet of Things". Computerworld. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  6. ^ Mangalindan, JP. "A digital maestro for every object in the home". CNNMoney. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d Lee, Adriana. "SmartThings' Alex Hawkinson: 'We're Debugging How Your House Responds To You'". readwrite. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  8. ^ a b Toscana, Samantha. "Take A Tour Of THE Smartest Home In America (VIDEO)". The Huffington post. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  9. ^ Butcher, Mike. "Dublin Web Summit Picks SmartThings Out Of 100-Strong Startup Competition". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  10. ^ Lomas, Natasha. "SmartThings Closes $3M Seed Round, Led By First Round Capital, Launches Competition To Grow Community Of Smart Object Developers". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  11. ^ Gannes, Liz. "SmartThings, a Kickstarter Hit, Raises $3M More From VCs and Angels". AllThingsD. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  12. ^ a b Goode, Lauren. "SmartThings, the "Internet of Things" Company That Connects the Gadgets in Your Home, Launches Its Own Store". AllThingsD. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  13. ^ Anderson, Jake. "Kickstarter Hit Lands $12.5M From Silicon Valley". Twin Cities Business. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  14. ^ Clabaugh, Jeff. "D.C.-based SmartThings raises $12.5M in venture capital". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  15. ^ Ravindranath, Mohana. "DC 'Internet of Things' start-up SmartThings raises $12.5 M". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  16. ^ Kovach, Steve. "SmartThings, The Company That Wants To Connect Everything In Your Home To The Web, Just Raised $12.5 Million". Business Insider. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  17. ^ a b Lawler, Ryan. "SmartThings Rolls Out A New iPhone App To Simplify Adding Your Home To The Internet Of Things". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  18. ^ Eaton, Kit. "SMARTTHINGS REVAMPS ITS APPS TO MAKE YOUR SMART HOME EVEN SMARTER". FastCompany. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  19. ^ a b Mott, Nathaniel. "SmartThings peels back the app curtain to show our connected home future". PandoDaily. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  20. ^ Lawler, Ryan. "SmartThings Updates Mobile App And Developer Tools In Its Bid To Power The 'Internet Of Things'". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  21. ^ Kovach, Steve. "This Startup Has A Plan To Control Everything In Your Home Over The Internet". Business Insider. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  22. ^ a b c Crist, Ry. "SmartThings surges toward connected-home supremacy". CNET. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  23. ^ Higginbotham, Stacey. "SmartThings sweetens its hub for consumers and developers in a bid to own the smart home". GigaOm. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  24. ^ Obrien, Terrence. "SmartThings brings a truly connected home closer to reality". Engadget. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  25. ^ Ong, Josh. "SmartThings officially launches its connected home platform with a new certification program". The Next Web. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  26. ^ a b Etherington, Darrell. "TC Cribs: SmartThings Gambles On The Connected Home In Vegas". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  27. ^ a b c Lee, Adriana. "Smart Home Shocker: My Cats Are Out To Get Me". ReadWrite. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  28. ^ a b O'Brien, Terrence. "SmartThings shows off the ridiculous possibilities of its connected home system". Engadget. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  29. ^ Ong, Josh. "This is the ultimate connected home, according to SmartThings". The Next Web. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g Kovach, Steve. "I Turned My Tiny, Dark, And Overpriced Unit Into A 'Smart Home' For Just $US300". Business Insider. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  31. ^ a b c d e Nieva, Richard. "Next step for connected devices? Connect the devices". CNET. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  32. ^ a b Byrne, Ciara. "Automate this! SmartThings lets you control the real world". VentureBeat. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  33. ^ Fowler, Geoffrey A. "Smart Home Hubs: A Brain for Your House". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  34. ^ a b Chaey, Christina. "SMARTTHINGS OPENS A SHOP SO YOU CAN BRING YOUR INTERNET OF THINGS HOME". FastCompany. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  35. ^ a b c Farber, Dan. "SmartThings opens shop for Internet of Things". CNET. Retrieved 10 July 2014. Cite error: The named reference "cnet3" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  36. ^ a b c d e Lawler, Ryan. "SmartThings Launches An Online And Mobile Shop For 'Internet Of Things' Devices". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  37. ^ "This Tricked Out Smart Home Can Talk To You, Make You Drinks, And Even Mimic A Dog Barking". Business Insider. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  38. ^ a b Higginbotham, Stacey. "The Gigaom smart home hub review guide". GigaOM. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  39. ^ Crist, Ry. "IFTTT flexes its muscle with new SmartThings channel". CNET. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  40. ^ a b "SmartThings IDE". SmartThings. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  41. ^ a b Sterling, Bruce. "Augmented Reality: Bring Touchless Interaction to Everything Around You". WIRED. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  42. ^ Larson, Selena. "10 Startups That Changed The Narrative In 2013". ReadWrite. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  43. ^ "15 Internet Devices to Make Life Easier -- or Less Annoying". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  44. ^ Hoffman, Allan. "A top 10 of technology from 2013". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  45. ^ "A smart start in home automation". CNET. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  46. ^ Shandrow, Kim Lachance. "4 Hot Tech Startups to Watch in 2014". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  47. ^ "The World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the Internet of Things". FastCompany. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  48. ^ Wolf, Michael. "5 Smart Home Companies to Watch in 2014". Forbes. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  49. ^ Fiegerman, Seth. "10 Startups to Watch in 2014". Mashable. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  50. ^ Don Clark (Aug 14, 2014). "Samsung reaches Deal to Buy Startup SmartThings". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved Aug 18, 2014.
  51. ^ http://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-snaps-up-smartthings-embracing-internet-of-things/
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