According to Digitimes Research, there were several developments that occurred in the smart home family segment throughout the end of 2015 into early 2016. Samsung Electronics announced that its entire 2016 Smart TV line-up will be Internet of Things (IoT) ready and connected with the SmartThings platform. SmartThings is an open platform that allows users to connect, manage and control smart devices and IoT services.
Samsung has developed its own IoT hub technology with SmartThings for 2016 SUHD TVs meaning all Samsung's 2016 SUHD TVs will apply IoT hub technology, allowing the TV to act as the controller for the entire smart home. SUHD TVs can connect with and control Samsung devices and SmartThings sensors, as well as more than 200 other SmartThings compatible devices including everything from connected lights and locks to thermostats and cameras, from a wide range of high quality third party manufacturers, according to Samsung.
Meanwhile, insurance companies including State Farm and Liberty Mutual have also bumped up efforts to promote smart home features to customers and even offer subsidies to those using the technology due to the advantages the technology has for reducing various risks and dangers in households.
Additionally, Digitimes Research said Open Interconnect Consortium (OIC) also announced it would be acquiring substantially all of the assets of the UPnP Forum. In exchange, OIC will offer membership to UPnP Forum members. The agreement will streamline and consolidate efforts around both organizations' technologies and infrastructure, leading to increased alignment on standardization for IoT.
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