Samsung to Acquire SmartThings, a Platform for the Internet of Things
If you want proof that home automation is “hot” right now, look no further than the latest news. Every week it seems another big “name” or mega corporation is announcing its entrance in the market. The latest is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., which just announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire SmartThings, the leading open platform for the smart home and the consumer Internet of Things. SmartThings supports an open and growing ecosystem of developers, who are producing new types of connected devices and unique apps in the cloud that change how everyday objects work. That means plenty of opportunities for home owners to add connected products. With Samsung’s resources and support, SmartThings will be able to expand its platform and become available for even more partners and devices, it reported in a press release.
The company will continue to operate independently under founder and CEO Alex Hawkinson, and will become part of the Samsung Open Innovation Center (OIC), which is responsible for bringing software and services innovation to Samsung Electronics. SmartThings will move its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Palo Alto, Calif.