LG and Samsung to enable cross-brand connectivity for the first time

Samsung Electronics has joined forces with fellow members of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA), including LG Electronics and Vestel, to enable cross-brand appliance connectivity for the first time.

Consumers of these brands will be able to control third-party smart appliances using the app of their choice - Samsung's SmartThings app, LG's ThinQ or Vestel's VeeZy. They will be required to update the mobile app of their choice to enable the management of their smart home appliances.

Starting in the fourth quarter of 2023, the cross-brand connectivity functionality will debut in eight countries, including South Korea and the United States, and later expand to other regions in phases.

Commenting on this collaboration, Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President and Head of the Service Biz Group, Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics, said, "By enabling consumers to control multiple brands of appliances and HVAC products through apps such as SmartThings, we expect the smart home market to achieve new levels of scale. Global leaders will be able to fuel enhanced digital services that provide consumers with new benefits, and Samsung is steadfast in its commitment to HCA and its vision."

In a press release on Tuesday, Samsung said that this functionality, based on the HCA's Interface Specification 1, will enable Cloud-to-Cloud (C2C) interoperability between certain home appliances and HVAC systems, which will also pave the way for increased consumer benefits like whole home energy savings in the near future.

Notably, the C2C connectivity does not require a new hub or appliance updates, making it particularly beneficial for existing home appliances.

In a separate press release, LG also announced that it will be enabling cross-brand connectivity by the end of this year via the LG ThinQ smart home platform. The partnership will initially cover major appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers, and will later expand to other categories of appliances.

"LG ThinQ enables a seamlessly interconnected home appliance ecosystem that will provide new smart home experiences to customers around the globe. LG will continue to expand compatibility between ThinQ and other HCA members’ smart home platforms," said Jung Ki-hyun, executive vice president and head of platform business center.