Samsung Smart Home API Access to Require Fee
▼ Summary
– Samsung will introduce new paid tiers for SmartThings API access from October, including a $4.99 monthly plan for individual non-commercial developers.
– Advanced smart home users who directly access the SmartThings API or use third-party tools like Home Assistant will be affected by the change.
– Home Assistant founder Paulus Schoutsen confirmed that the integration will fall under Samsung’s new “personal plans.”
– Samsung says the new pricing will fund investments in enterprise-grade features, stability improvements, new integrations, and a Developer Center refresh.
From October this year, Samsung will introduce paid access tiers for its SmartThings API, with a $4.99 monthly plan aimed at “non-commercial, individual developers” being among the new offerings.
But the cost won’t stop at developers alone. More advanced smart home enthusiasts who tap directly into the SmartThings API for greater automation flexibility, or rely on third-party tools that do, may also be caught by the change. Paulus Schoutsen, founder of the open-source platform Home Assistant, confirmed in a blog post that its integration with SmartThings will be impacted. “Use of the Home Assistant integration will be affected by their changes and will fall under their new ‘personal plans,'” he wrote.
Samsung argues that the new pricing structure will let it “invest heavily in the enterprise-grade features our partners and users have been asking for.” Those investments include stability improvements, new integrations, and a revamped Developer Center hub.
(Source: The Verge)
