Samsung to introduce paid tiers for SmartThings API from October
Quick Look
Samsung will roll out new paid tiers for its SmartThings API starting October, impacting non-commercial developers and advanced smart home users, including those utilizing Home Assistant integration, who will face new costs for access.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Samsung is introducing new paid tiers for its SmartThings API, which will affect developers and advanced smart home users. This change is intended to allow Samsung to invest in enterprise-grade features.
From October this year Samsung will roll out a variety of new paid tiers for access to its SmartThings API, including a $4.99 monthly plan for “non-commercial, individual developers.”
It won’t just be developers that pay the price though. Some more advanced smart home users are likely to fall afoul of the rule change if they directly access the SmartThings API for more flexible smart home controls, or use third-party tools that do the same. “Use of the Home Assistant integration will be affected by their changes and will fall under their new ‘personal plans,’” wrote Paulus Schoutsen, founder of open-source smart home platform Home Assistant, in a blog post.
Samsung says the new pricing will allow it to “invest heavily in the enterprise-grade features our partners and users have been asking for,” including stability improvements, new integrations, and a refresh of its Developer Center hub.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Samsung will roll out new paid tiers for its SmartThings API.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- How many users will be affected by the new pricing?
- What specific "enterprise-grade features" will be developed?
- How will Home Assistant adapt to these changes?
