Thanks to the spread of fibre networks and reductions in data costs, South Africa is set to start benefiting from true smart home innovations and ship new smart home appliances to local shores in 2017.
“2017 will be the beginning of an exciting new phase in SA’s evolution to smart living. Now that the high speed connectivity infrastructure is in place and data costs are dropping, the foundations are ready for highly advanced, connected digital appliances to take their place in South African homes,” says Michael McKechnie, Director: Digital Appliances at Samsung South Africa.
While South Africans have enjoyed the benefits of Samsung smart TVs for several years, the smart home revolution is now moving beyond the TV. Early in 2017, Samsung Electronics will change the South African smart home game when it starts shipping its Family Hub fridges to South Africa.
Family Hub fridges are the next generation core for the connected family. These appliances, with built-in screens on the doors, Smart Things sensors and Smart Power Outlets, serve as the centre for all devices. Families are able to centrally monitor, control and secure the smart home, all from the fridge. They can share diaries and schedules on the screen, enjoy video and music while in the kitchen and even check what’s inside the fridge from wherever they are, all just by connecting to the fridge with their smartphones.
The arrival of the Samsung Family Hub fridges is just the beginning, says McKechnie. Over the next 18 to 24 months, Samsung South Africa will distribute more of its smart appliances, including washing machines, additional smart fridges and even smart cooking appliances. These will add to new levels of convenience which Samsung is already bringing to market through product solutions such as its AddWash washing machine, allowing people to add forgotten laundry items during mid-cycle and the new top mounted freezer with independent ‘twin’ cooling technology.
Appliances and smart hubs will set the scene for smarter lifestyles for South Africans, mentions McKechnie. “A key driver for Samsung in 2017 will be enabling a happier home. By providing a range of intelligent, linked home appliances to South Africa, we are opening the door to new lifestyle possibilities, giving people more ways to connect and reducing the time they must spend on household chores – all of which contributes to a happier home.”
Samsung expects South African premium customers to be the first to buy into the smart home concept, with mid-to-entry-level markets to quickly follow. Since Samsung’s smart appliances will be available in a range of models suited to all budgets.
“Consumers might see smart home appliances as a gimmick at first, but as soon as they experience the convenience of living within that smart and connected environment, they will look to build on their smart home ecosystems. South African consumers are more value-focused than ever before, they depend on brands such as Samsung, with a trusted history in the country, a solid warranty and service offering and a well-deserved reputation for innovation, to take them into the smart home future,” concludes McKechnie.
