Samsung just broke down one of the biggest walls in smart home tech. The company's latest SmartThings update now supports Siri Shortcuts, meaning you can finally use Apple's voice assistant to control your Samsung-powered smart home setup. This cross-platform integration addresses a long-standing pain point for users who wanted the best of both ecosystems without choosing sides.
Samsung just made smart home control a lot less complicated. The Korean tech giant announced that its SmartThings platform now supports Siri Shortcuts, effectively bridging what's been one of the most frustrating gaps in smart home ecosystems. For the millions of iPhone users running Samsung smart home setups, this changes everything.
The integration means you can now ask Siri to run your entire morning routine through SmartThings - adjusting lights, starting your coffee maker, and opening blinds with a single "Hey Siri, good morning" command. It's the kind of seamless experience that smart home enthusiasts have been demanding for years, but rarely get due to platform restrictions.
This isn't just about voice commands, though. Samsung is rolling out comprehensive Apple ecosystem support that goes well beyond Siri integration. The enhanced Apple Watch app now displays your complete device list, letting you send commands and execute routines straight from your wrist. That's a significant upgrade from the limited functionality most third-party smart home apps offer on watchOS.
The timing couldn't be better for Samsung. Apple's own HomeKit ecosystem has struggled with device compatibility, while Google's Nest platform has been pushing hard into the premium smart home market. By embracing iOS integration rather than fighting it, Samsung is positioning SmartThings as the platform-agnostic choice for users who don't want to be locked into a single ecosystem.
What makes this particularly interesting is how Samsung is leveraging iOS 16's Live Activities feature. The SmartThings app can now display up to five of your most recently used devices directly on your iPhone's lock screen, providing instant access without unlocking your phone or opening apps. It's exactly the kind of thoughtful integration that makes technology feel invisible.
The move also signals Samsung's broader strategy shift toward software and services. Rather than trying to compete directly with Apple's hardware ecosystem, the company is making its smart home platform indispensable across all devices. This approach mirrors how Microsoft successfully positioned Office across iOS and Android, prioritizing utility over platform loyalty.
