Samsung teams up with ADT for new SmartThings-powered home security system

Samsung announced a new SmartThings-powered home security system today, but with

an interesting twist: the company has partnered with ADT, a professional home security company, to provide optional security monitoring services. The end result is a product that combines DIY smart home products with professionally installed and monitored security systems, for what may be the best of both worlds. COMBINING DIY SMART HOME GEAR AND PROFESSIONALLY MONITORED SECURITY SYSTEMS The base bundle is the $549.99 ADT Home Security Starter Kit. It comes with the Security Hub, two door and window detectors, and a motion detector. The Security Hub, in addition to serving as the base station for the rest of the devices, also serves as a SmartThings hub for controlling and connecting other SmartThings devices. Samsung will be selling additional expansion kits that add other sensors for things like fire, carbon monoxide, and water. On its own, the kit is more or less the same as other DIY home security products from companies like Nest or Abode. The ADT partnership comes with optional professional monitoring, which you can sign up for in the app. The company is promising that no phone calls or contracts are required, and that customers will be able to activate or cancel service at any time. Monthly monitoring starts at $14.99 for life safety and $24.99 for security services. But don’t confuse the Samsung / ADT system with a full-blown, professionally installed setup. It’s still a DIY home security product that customers will be able to buy and install themselves. It will be available online and at Best Buy when it launches on October 29th.                                                                                                                                  https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/2/16400198/samsung-adt-smartthings-diy-security-system-professional-monitoring-smarthome