Samsung SmartThings Presence Sensor

I'm not a novice in tech but I'm not expert either, I don't look for tech, it finds me. This has stood out to me on many occasions but then I've talked myself out of it for some reason or another..... the AMAZON ECHO DOT !!!! :D :D..... is what put the edge on it, Needless to say I was waiting anxiously for the delivery to arrive (it was a long one and a half days "hehe").I set up the hub first without any effort at all, connected with Alexa straight away. I then set up the plug (outlet) and it would turn on and off with the phone but not alexa, I unpaired the to apps and re done it with success, it was working properly.I used a smart phone to set it up and that became a presence sensor for the smart things hub, I then set up the presences sensor that came in the pack; I couldn't wait to try out routines so I set up "I'm back" I made the routines quite easily using choices given to me: with the presence sensor I made it turn on the plug which I had plugged a lamp into so when I come home with my phone or the presence sensor on my keys it turns the lamp on before I even opened the door. Next I set up the motion sensor and again that was very easy, the only thing I have set up is the door or window sensor but I will do soon and I'm looking forward to it.Many things work with the hub including lifx bulbs, harmony hubs and it is compatible with many apps for routines like yonomi, logitec and Alexa.I 100% recommend buying this for security and fun :)

I've been using this hub for about 6 months and absolutely love it! Very easy to set up - plug it into your router/modem, download the app and input the provided code. Your hub is then online and ready to pair with 'things'. Since buying this I've added about 30 devices to my system - both Samsung and 3rd party items, and my home-automation is almost complete. I mainly use it for home security and lighting. I have it working with 2 Amazon Echo Dots, a Philips Hue hub, a Logitech Harmony hub and a Broadlink RM Pro hub. It also works with my Sonos speakers and can announce things like 'motion detected on the patio' via those.The only minor niggle: some of the Samsung 'things' can be dead on arrival or only work for a short while - quality control is a bit hit & miss. Research 3rd party alternatives, that's my advice. Also, go for mains-powered items like the Aeon Multisensor 6 PIRs, as battery life is typically just a few months from the Samsung devices and replacing batteries in those units is a real pain (a 3 handed job often).

I'm by no means a tech expert but I've been exciting to get my hands on this kit for a while. My plan has always been to start automating my house, getting everything just how I like it when me and my family wake up in the morning and get home at night. Light bulbs, boiling the kettle, turning the heating up - everything's possible and this is honestly the start of something really exciting and i can't wait to start building it out.The product is neatly packaged in some beautiful packaging - everything laid out neatly with four main starter products and each with its own individual quick start guide. The home hub itself which although a bit bulky, is easily set up and allows the other parts of the system to connect with a large range that easily covers my 5 bed house. A compact motion sensor which enables some simple automation when someone enters a room. A multi-functionality sensor that i believe is primarily to be used to track a door / window and whether you've left it open, but it's really interesting use is temperature tracking which when linked up to the heating can be used to turn it on and off to keep the heating at a perfect level which in time could end up paying for itself. Finally the plug socket which can be used with any appliance to turn it on and off remotely. All really solidly built products with small circular batteries for easy replacement.Where this product really comes into its own is with the mobile app which is simply stunning. The level of customisation and functionality on this is really impressive with the ability to not only link up the products but your family also. Routines can be easily configured for when you wake up, when your child enters the house or if there are any potential issues - such as someone entering the house who isn't on the tracked system and potentially shouldn't be there. The kit is compatible with a wide range of brands covering so many different areas of your life with a list that is openly available to ensure you know exactly what is going to work and operate correctly.I've been a pleasure to set this up and my only fault is that i would have definitely liked to some more plugs included in the package for the price. Over time i'll be able to built up compatible products but for the moment i'm relying a lot on the wireless plug to give automation to some of my main utilities so I've had to purchase some more. However overall a really impressive product and i'm expecting this to be the start of some really great things