Samsung will start charging $4.99 a month for individual SmartThings API access in October 2026, while the SmartThings app remains free. This is not a new service for the ecosystem. It is a subscription for an existing feature: allowing other IoT platforms and software to reach Samsung hardware. No one is stopping Samsung from selling services, nor do I believe the company should stay away from them. The only question is whether the hardware giant has a solid service to sell.
Tagged IoT
Rechargeable Battery and Electric Door Lock in Korea
It’s customary to look for rechargeable batteries for price or for environment or otherwise. My go-to guide on the matter thus far: rechargeable battery is like LED light bulbs of AAs, high upfront but cheaper in the long run. AA or AAA batteries go into remotes are less an issue — they tend to last a lot longer than common household appliances. Perhaps children’s toys, mouse and keyboard, if they are not USB based yet, are few household items that can take real advantage of rechargeable batteries.
How to Fix Safari HTTPS Error on Bose Soundbar to Connect to WiFi
Some older IoT devices had quirky ways to connect to WiFi. My Bose Soundbar 700 and several others from era (e.g. label printers) have dedicated web UI that are only for connecting to a home WiFi during initial setup. The solution would have worked, if the modern browsers weren’t mandating HTTPS even on the LAN.
HomeKit Update Deadline Draws Near
HomeKit architecture update that is announced in 2022 will now be the only supported version, as the previous version will no longer be supported starting on Feb 10, 2026. There were mixed receptions initially about the update process itself. But having gone through them years ago myself, I can safely say most known issues have been ironed out.
IoT, Bluetooth, and WiFi
Few months ago, I wrote a spiel on a new Dyson PencilVac vacuum cleaner. It didn’t merit to be called a full-scale review, as I wasn’t testing the product against any other vacuums in the market, and quite frankly my research was limited to what fits into my needs and routines. Regardless, at the time, I knew the vacuum had Bluetooth capability and an app that were lackluster overall. The modern expectation of IoT apps would be somewhere near or above entry level robot vacuums.
Philips Hue Light Bar Spiel
Philips had multiple IoT lighting products, including generic desk lamps, floor stands, and light bulbs. I wanted to focus specifically on, perhaps not their latest, but quite frankly, the most versatile product I’ve seen yet from Philips Hue. It can stand up right; it can stand sideways; it can be attached to a surface with the stands; it can be attached without.
Coway IoCare+ Migration Horror Spiel
I currently use two types of Coway products, number of air purifiers and a water purifier. Neither of them particularly need to have IoT features, but recently Coway decided to sprinkle the smarts onto their new products. It does have its advantages. For instance, Coway water purifiers with built-in ice makers traditionally had light sensor to only make ice during day time. With IoT, Coway’s IoCare app can actually trigger when the ice maker function will kick in. There are still buttons on the appliances, so the app is technically secondary.
How to Record Blood Pressure for HealthKit with Shortcuts
While there are good blood pressure monitors with IoT features attached, not all products support Apple HealthKit, let alone have accuracy required to be useful. As some reviews would have put it, smart BPM may not have ‘bang for the buck’, and the convenience offered by the device may not worth the bother if the measurements weren’t accurate in the first place.
Sonos, Apps, and IoT
Sonos CEO has stepped down. I won’t go into details about his departure from the company, nor the company’s future plans for its apps, product warranties, and/or future releases. I do recall I wrote a dreary review on dead Sonos Roam, but that’s really besides the point. What I had experienced was most likely a hardware failure, coupled with softwares incapable of detecting early signs —and this all happened in 2023. The overhauled app was launched in May 2024, and most of the problems were related to the software itself.