Samsung Introduces Three New Smart Home Items

Samsung Introduces Three New Smart Home Items

Samsung has introduced three new smart home items that are low-cost entrants into the space, according to a report.

The telecommunications and technology company, which acquired SmartThings in 2014, has released a SmartThings Cam and WiFi Smart Plug, which don’t require a separate smart home hub. The Smart Bulb, which retails for $10, does need one. A SmartThings hub by Samsung runs about $70.

The camera retails for $90 and films in 1080p at a 145-degree angle. It switches into night vision when the lights are out. It can record HDR material and has two-way audio. The Smart Plug runs $18 and gives a customer voice control using any of the available voice assistants. The products are available starting on Monday (June 24).

In international Samsung news, the company is looking to double its online sales of smartphones in 2019 to reach $1 billion in India. Smartphones and fashion are said to be among the most popular purchase categories in the country’s fast-growing online shopping market.

In February, the company rolled out its M-series phones, which are sold via the company’s website, as well as the local Amazon unit. Those devices are priced from $114.23 (7,990 rupees) to $257.20 (17,990 rupees). The company is said to have sold more than two million units since their rollout.

Samsung India Senior Vice President Asim Warsi told the newswire, “Business-to-consumer sales in the online market are expected to be $4.5 billion this year and, if that is so, we should be around 25 percent of the market.”

The news comes after it was reported in January that India’s mobile phone market saw shipments increase 11 percent last year, with shipments of smartphones rising 10 percent. Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service found that India was the fastest-growing smartphone market last year.