Samsung has been slowly adding smart home features to its TVs, integrating them into its SmartThings home automation platform, and recently turning its newest TVs into Thread border routers. This will enable users to control smart devices such as lights and locks directly from their TV without needing a separate hub. At CES, Samsung showcased its new dashboard screen, Now Plus, which will display cards with information about smart home devices upon the user’s approach, similar to the way smart displays like the Echo Show or Google Nest hub operate in showing relevant information.

The new dashboard screen, Now Plus, is designed to make managing the smart home easier with its cards displaying information about smart home devices such as camera feeds, temperature, and how much time is left on the laundry. A dedicated quick access panel was also introduced, allowing users to perform functions such as turning on lights and locking doors. Samsung is also enhancing the interface, bringing the map view to the TV, offering a layout of connected gadgets and the ability to control devices like lights and locks, and monitor security cameras and energy usage.

Samsung has unveiled the new SmartThings’ Map view with an interactive 3D layout of the user’s home, allowing control of connected devices. The new AI characters mimic family members and pets, with new ways to generate a map of the user’s home. There are also revolutionary methods to create a floor plan without using a lidar-equipped iPhone. Both the JetBot robot vacuum and the Ballie AI robot can help scan the home to generate a floor plan along with placing smart devices in the right position within the home.

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