Samsung missed their target date for transitioning to the new architecture, so IDE is still up for now. It is expected to be discontinued once the transition is complete.
I, too, use HomeKit for my mission-critical use cases, but there are some very interesting plans for smartthings over the next year or two. It’s true, we won’t know what we actually get until we get it, but I am mildly optimistic.
First, they are definitely moving towards more local operation in a big way. And it’s already here in beta. See the following:
FAQ: I have no idea what Edge is. Is that a new developer tool? (2022)
Second, SmartThings has announced support for matter, although it’s only going to be one way. They’ll be able to bring matter-compliant devices into the smartthings app, but they are not going to expose devices connected to a smartthings hub to other matter-compliant apps. Still, matter will bring together a lot of devices.
Matter - smart home connectivity standard (formerly Project CHIP)
It’s not ideal. If Samsung had supported two-way integration, you’d be able to bring a SmartThings/Aeotec hub and all its connected devices into, for example, Apple home. Without using homebridge. but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen that way. Still, half a loaf is better than none.
Again, we will have to wait and see what actually gets delivered, but the trajectory is definitely an improvement. 