Smart Watch and Smartthings

General Discussion
1

I was thinking of getting a Smart watch and automatically assumed the Samsung Gearfit 2 would work with SmartThings but I can’t find any information to confirm it. Does it work with SmartThings?
If not can anyone recommend a wearable which is compatible with SmartThings?

2

It’s not a good day for me today, so I’ll let others fill in the details, but here’s some quick information.

.1. Official watch integrations The only official watch integration is with the Apple watch, and the only thing it does is let you turn a SmartThings routine into a widget. That’s it. Just the routines are available.

https://support.smartthings.com/hc/en-us/articles/206145893-Is-there-a-SmartThings-widget-

.2. Official Samsung Watch Integrations

There used to be an official integration with the Samsung gear two, but they never kept up with it, didn’t update it for new watch models, and I’m not sure if it still works.

.3. Garmin created by Garmin

Garmin created their own integration for their smart watch, but again, the only thing it does is let you turn a routine into a widget.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-GB/apps/b64d6aa1-121c-4e16-89d1-c49d0d42b196

.4. Third party apps

There used to be some independent third-party apps for various other watches, but I don’t think most of them still work since SmartThings changed the way third-party authorizations are done about a year ago.

There is an option for the gear S2/s3 using Tasker plus SharpTools ( so two third-party apps used in combination), but the setup is pretty complicated.

So that’s the bad news.

.5. IFTTT to the rescue!

The good news is that SmartThings does have an official IFTTT service/channel, so any watch which can run the IFTTT DO Button can turn on a virtual switch in SmartThings which you could then have trigger pretty much anything that SmartThings can do.

.6. AndroidWear 2.0 and Google Assistant

@David_Van points out below that any watch that supports androidwear 2.0 can work with Google assistant to control SmartThings devices. I just don’t know how well it works with U.K. Accents.

.7. A community-created Gear 3 app is in development, but not yet released

And there is a community member working on a Samsung gear three app. He is running a private beta right now. You can find discussion of this in the following thread:

The IFTTT app and the official widget options should definitely work in the UK. I don’t know about the other options mentioned above.

My personal experience with Apple Watch

Personally, I have an Apple Watch and use it all the time, but not so much with SmartThings, although I do use the IFTTT Do Button occasionally.

Again, just speaking for myself, I really like the Apple Watch. I use it for voice texts, HomeKit, Reminders, notifications, shopping list, health tracking, Apple Pay, even the occasional phone call. It Is physically much easier for me than the phone. But everyone is different.

Personally, as far as SmartThings goes, I think having two or perhaps three frequently used routines as widgets is convenient, but I don’t know that it would be enough to justify a watch in and of itself.

Summary

If you’re getting a smart watch for other reasons, you will probably be able to use widgets to run SmartThings routines, although the method may vary depending on the specific watch model. If the watch can run the IFTTT app, you can associate an IFTTT “button” with anything that SmartThings can do via IFTTT.

If Google assistant works well for you, that can give you voice control of smart things control devices on any watch that supports androidwear 2.0

But at the present time I wouldn’t buy a smart watch just for use with SmartThings – – functionality is pretty limited.

(If your devices are also HomeKit compatible, then an Apple Watch Is very useful. But there aren’t many UK devices that work with both HomeKit and SmartThings other than the Phillips hue bridge.)

Follow ups will have to be handled by other people, but I hope that’s enough to start with. :sunglasses:

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3

I’ve got the Apple watch and have four routines pushed to it. Other than executing routines, the Apple watch is useless in ST.

The main thing I use my watch for with ST is getting notifications on my watch. It’s nice to have a pop up when a guest comes or goes, or if a light gets left on.

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4

If you get an android watch that supports android wear 2.0 you can control ST devices with voice via Google assistant.

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5

Just tried and yes you can. Worked perfectly.

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6

How well does that work in the UK? I know that at present google home in the UK lacks a number of the features available on Google Home in the US.

7

This is the key point for anyone who has or wants to get a Samsung Gear S2 or S3 and use it w/SmartThings.

I’m running the app in the beta, and it is just excellent. It provides control of devices and routines, response/performance is excellent, and I have not had a single hiccup w/the app since installing it.

I would not buy a Smartwatch just to control SmartThings, but if you are interested in getting an S2 or S3 this app will be a welcome addition to your SmartThings options.

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Sorry I’m not aware of what the UK capabilities are for Google home but because android wear 2.0 uses Google assistant to control ST devices it would probably have the same limitations.