Samsung and Google have announced that Nest integration will be coming to the SmartThings platform in January 2021.
The move will mean SmartThings users will no longer need to use separate apps to connect to Google Nest products.
Google and Samsung Finally Get Smart
The lack of integration for Google smart home products in the SmartThings ecosystem has been a long time bugbear for users. SmartThings, bought by Samsung in 2014, provides one of the most highly-rated apps for connecting smart devices in a single place.
While Samsung worked hard to integrate most smart home devices and brands into its system, Google left a large gap. After all, the appeal of having everything in one place only works when it really means everything.
According to Samsung, the new partnership will link existing Samsung smart devices to Nest products, allowing the creation of SmartThings scenes and access to cameras from Samsung Smart TVs and Family Hub fridges.
The update to SmartThings is coming in January 2021, but the SmartThings website is already showing Google Nest support.
Integrate All the Things
The SmartThings integration is the latest in a series of cross-brand cooperation deals worked out in recent months. It seems like many companies now realize that dominance isn't really an option, and the new goal is to be the most compatible.
While it's difficult to believe this is truly a move designed to help consumers, it does benefit those wanting to pick and choose their smart home setup. After all, when you can ask Alexa to play Apple Music on your Google smart home devices, you are way more likely to continue using those products.
Better Late Than Never
From a wider perspective, this change to the smart home landscape could lead to a better experience in general. The old model involved creating smart home hardware, unique protocols, and a user-facing app. If any one of those things didn't give a good user experience, then the entire product was somewhat of a letdown.
While things have significantly improved in recent months, no one is more guilty of this than Apple, who lagged behind Google and Amazon products in even the most basic smart home integrations until relatively recently.
The way things appear to be going, you'll be able to choose the hardware you like most and pair it with the app you are most comfortable with. Hybrid ecosystems that put user experience first are the future of smart homes, and the big companies are beginning to realize this. Better late than never.
