Tech manufacturer Samsung presents a number of car-related novelties. For example, the company comes with a Tesla-style digital key. The ‘Car’ theme will also be added to Samsung’s SmartThings app, which will in turn be available in Android Auto.
A digital car key is not new in itself. More and more car manufacturers offer the possibility to use the smartphone as a key, but this is often not yet very user-friendly. The accompanying apps are slow and it is often necessary to hold the phone against the handle to open the car.
An exception to that rule is Tesla, hence the reference to that brand above. The way in which the door of a Model 3 unlocks the moment someone with a linked app pulls the door handle, according to Samsung, is also possible for other car brands.
Easy to share
During its Galaxy Unpacked presentation, Samsung explains that it is partnering with Audi, BMW, Ford and Genesis for this technology, all of its collaborations with other car manufacturers no doubt imminent. The Samsung key does not work according to the NFC method, so removing the phone from your pocket should not be necessary. Instead, the user determines very precisely where the user is, so that the car is automatically unlocked as with a regular modern key when the hand touches the door handle. Samsung also promises that the digital key can be easily shared with others, even if those others do not have a Samsung or even an Android phone.
SmartThings
However, that’s not the only car-related news from Samsung. For example, the company’s SmartThings app, in which all kinds of smart home functions are housed, will also have a car section. This makes it possible to operate the functions that are now hidden in specific brand apps within this Samsung environment. Consider, for example, remote starting or preheating the car.
Entering a navigation destination is not necessary, because Samsung relies heavily on Google’s Android Auto solution. In collaboration with Google, the company is coming up with a version of that function that works more closely with the car. For example, it should be possible to notify Android Auto of, for example, the battery status of your EV, so that a charging station can be searched for a charging station via Google Maps in an emergency.
Washing machine
In addition, SmartThings is added to Android Auto. This should make it possible, for example, to prepare your house for your arrival with one press on the car screen. This includes not only increasing the temperature via your Google Nest thermostat, but also opening a garage door in time or starting a washing program on your ‘smart’ washing machine.