The home of the future is here… and it knows what you need before you do
This isn't a scene from 2050, but a rapidly emerging reality as home technology gets more intuitive, and proactive. Welcome to the era of intelligent living, where the smart home doesn't just follow commands; it anticipates your needs.
From smart to intuitive
Until now, smart homes were largely about remote controls and automation: turning off lights with a tap on your phone, or asking a voice assistant to set a timer. The next evolution takes things a step further. Smart home technology is evolving to deliver homes that learn the residents' habits, interpret the environment, and make independent decisions to improve their quality of life.
This shift is powered by advances in AI and machine learning, allowing appliances and devices to go beyond basic connectivity. Think of a robotic vacuum that learns your daily schedule and quietly cleans when you're out.
Some of this tech is already available. Samsung recently revealed its Home AI, which includes a broad range of new products, such as Bespoke AI Refrigerators, the Bespoke AI Laundry Vented Combo, Washers, and Dryers, designed with this kind of learning in mind. Managing this AI home is simplified through a central control hub that even connects third party devices through SmartThings without the need for a separate hub device. SmartThings, Samsung's global IoT platform, allows for secure and seamless integration across Galaxy mobile devices, smart TVs, home appliances and partner devices for consistent and personalised everyday experiences.
What's even more exciting is how seamlessly these capabilities will come together in the years ahead.
A truly smart home goes beyond responding, it actually cares for residents' wellbeing. Wellness is fast becoming the next frontier in home innovation. Future-forward homes are being designed to monitor sleep patterns through wearable tech and adjust lighting, temperature, and even noise levels to promote rest and recovery.
Smart kitchens will offer nutritional suggestions based on what's in your fridge, while integrated fitness ecosystems can provide real-time feedback on your workouts and recovery.
'It's not hard to imagine your home acting like a silent wellness coach; nudging you toward better habits without being intrusive.'
As remote work and hybrid lifestyles continue, the home is also evolving into a multifunctional space that balances productivity with inspiration. The future home will include AI-powered assistants that extract key insights from meetings, manage calendars intuitively, and help streamline work.
But it's not all business. Art and self-expression will find a place too. Screens will become canvases, displaying curated collections from top museums or even your latest AI-generated artwork. Your living space becomes an extension of your personality, adapting dynamically to mood and moment.
Many of these features are already in our hands, or at least within reach. AI-integrated devices, smart hubs like Samsung SmartThings, and wearables that sync with home ecosystems are laying the groundwork. What's coming next is greater interconnectivity and a more natural interface between humans and technology.
How safe is it?
For those who view smart homes through a dystopian lens, Samsung is applying defense-grade security to its appliances. Enhanced Knox security on devices across the lineup allows users to enjoy their AI Home experience with peace of mind. Trust Chain, which is part of Knox Matrix, is applied to all Wi-Fi enabled Samsung appliances launching in 2025. Users can continuously monitor products' security status in real time through the dashboard.
Knox Vault is also applied to Samsung home appliances for the first time, to store sensitive user information, such as passwords and authentication information, in a separate hardware chip to ensure protection. Furthermore, to protect against the potential of future quantum attacks, Samsung's security is also equipped with post-quantum cryptography (PQC), a part of Knox Matrix Credential Sync, for its screen-applied products.
AI is also being used to improve product maintenance, so you're never stuck with a broken fridge on the day of the big dinner party. Samsung's SmartThings Home Care, for instance, utilises AI to diagnose each appliance's status, and if signs of malfunction are detected, it sends a notification in advance. In addition, a technical support representative can also help, based on pre-diagnosis results.
The home of the future isn't just about bells and whistles. It's about creating a living space that supports you, adapts to you, and occasionally even surprises you with how much it 'gets' you. With homes that can think, feel, and care, the future is already knocking.
This opinion piece is authored by Shafi Alam, Senior Director and Head of Direct to Consumer and Corporate Marketing Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
6 hours ago
- Gulf Today
China seeks reduction of US tariffs and tech export controls
US and Chinese officials began a second day of talks in Stockholm on Tuesday to resolve longstanding economic disputes and step back from an escalating trade war between the world's two biggest economies. The meetings may not yield immediate large breakthroughs but the two sides could agree to another 90-day extension of a tariff truce struck in mid-May. It may also pave the way for a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the year, though Trump on Tuesday denied going out of his way to seek one. The delegations met for more than five hours on Monday at Rosenbad, the Swedish prime minister's office in central Stockholm. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was seen arriving at Rosenbad on Tuesday morning after a separate meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. China's Vice Premier He Lifeng also arrived at the venue. Neither side made statements after the first day of talks. China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with Trump's administration, after reaching preliminary deals in May and June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals. Without an agreement, global supply chains could face renewed turmoil from US duties snapping back to triple-digit levels that would amount to a bilateral trade embargo. The Stockholm talks follow Trump's biggest trade deal yet with the European Union on Sunday for a 15 per cent tariff on most EU goods exports to the United States, and a deal with Japan. The Financial Times reported on Monday that the United States had paused curbs on tech exports to China to avoid disrupting trade talks with Beijing and support Trump's efforts to secure a meeting with Xi this year. Trump pushed back against suggestions he was seeking a meeting with Xi. 'This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything! I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!' he wrote on Truth Social. Meanwhile, in Washington, US senators from both major parties plan to introduce bills this week targeting China over its treatment of minority groups, dissidents, and Taiwan, emphasizing security and human rights, which could complicate the talks in Stockholm. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is also set to delay an August trip his team had floated to the Trump administration that would have included stops in the United States, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. The potential visit would have infuriated Beijing, possibly derailing the trade talks. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, a position Taiwan rejects, and denounces any show of support for Taipei from Washington. Previous US-China trade talks in Geneva and London in May and June focused on bringing US and Chinese retaliatory tariffs down from triple-digit levels and restoring the flow of rare earth minerals halted by China and Nvidia's H20 AI chips, and other goods halted by the United States. Among broader economic issues, Washington complains that China's state-led, export-driven model is flooding world markets with cheap goods, while Beijing says US national security export controls on tech goods seek to stunt Chinese growth. Bessent has already flagged a deadline extension and has said he wants China to rebalance its economy away from exports to more domestic consumption − a decades-long goal for US policymakers. Analysts say the U.S.-China negotiations are far more complex than those with other Asian countries and will require more time. China's grip on the global market for rare earth minerals and magnets, used in everything from military hardware to car windshield wiper motors, has proved to be an effective leverage point on US industries. China stocks ended higher on Tuesday as a new round of Sino-US trade talks continued, while the Hong Kong benchmark declined with some investors booking profits near the month-end. China's blue-chip CSI300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index reversed morning session's losses, closing up 0.39 per cent and 0.33 per cent, respectively. Hong Kong benchmark Hang Seng dropped 0.34 per cent, while Hang Seng Tech fell 0.35 per cent. Market sentiment cooled slightly as investors awaited details from the ongoing US-China trade talks that started on Monday in Stockholm. China faces an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement; both China and US are expected to push for an extension of the trade truce. 'A truce extension would calm markets... a confrontational tone or vague outcomes could reignite fears of renewed tariffs down the line, resulting in a risk-off sentiment,' Charu Chanana, Saxo chief investment strategist, said in a note on Tuesday. Reuters
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
iPhone 17 Pro leak teases camera, design upgrades: Here's what we know
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models could be making their boldest leap in camera innovation yet — if a new leak is to be believed. An anonymous source recently contacted MacRumors claiming to have insider knowledge of the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. The tipster, who says they're familiar with a commercial being produced for the upcoming device, shared a list of alleged features that have not been reported before. While MacRumors itself has not verified the claims, the potential changes are enough to get tech enthusiasts and mobile photography pros buzzing. Here's what's reportedly in the pipeline: 8× optical zoom is (allegedly) coming One of the biggest bombshells is a major upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro's telephoto lens. According to the tipster, the device will offer up to 8× optical zoom, up from the already-impressive 5× zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The standout feature here? A movable lens mechanism that allows continuous optical zoom across a range of focal lengths. If true, this could finally give iPhones a serious edge against Samsung's Galaxy S Ultra lineup in the zoom wars, and make the iPhone 17 Pro a genuine contender for the title of best smartphone camera. Pro camera app Also in the leak: Apple may be preparing an all-new pro camera app for both photo and video capture, directly aimed at creators who currently rely on third-party tools like Halide, Filmic Pro, or Kino. It's unclear whether this will be a standalone app exclusive to iPhone 17 Pro models, or a major update to Apple's existing Final Cut Camera app — which launched quietly for pros earlier this year. Either way, the tipster says Apple is aiming for a tool that offers more granular control over things like ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and audio inputs. If you've ever wished for DSLR-level control in an iPhone camera app without needing to download third-party software, this could be a game-changer. New button? The leak also mentions a previously unrumored hardware addition: a second Camera Control button, this time placed on the top edge of the iPhone 17 Pro. This would join the Action Button and existing camera shortcut located on the bottom-right edge of the iPhone 16 models. Apple seems to be doubling down on tactile camera controls — possibly mirroring the ergonomics of traditional cameras, where a top-mounted shutter button and dial setup is common. New look? Beyond the camera features, the source reiterated two previously rumoured design changes: a copper-like color option, said to give the phone a premium, vintage-meets-modern aesthetic, and a centred Apple logo on the back, which is a subtle but deliberate visual shake-up, possibly tied to the new camera layout. Although here's a catch: all of this information comes from an anonymous tipster with no proven track record. While the details are certainly plausible — and some even match earlier reports — they haven't been corroborated by more established leakers like Mark Gurman or Ming-Chi Kuo. In other words, caution is advised. Apple's hardware plans are notoriously secretive, and while commercials are often created months ahead of launch, leaks from production houses aren't always accurate. Still, with the iPhone 17 Pro expected to mark a major design refresh and focus heavily on camera features, these rumours line up with Apple's typical strategy upgrades. If even half of these predictions come true, the iPhone 17 Pro could become the go-to smartphone for serious mobile photographers and creators.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi expands operation of autonomous taxis to Al Reem, Al Maryah Islands
ABU DHABI - As part of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council's (SASC) strategy, the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility ), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), has announced the expansion of autonomous taxi services to include Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, in collaboration with WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, as well as Uber and Tawasul Transport as the local operator of the project. The initiative supports Abu Dhabi's ambition to build an AI-powered mobility ecosystem, reinforcing its position as a regional hub for smart and sustainable transport. The expansion aligns with the emirate's smart transport strategy, which aims to make 25 percent of all trips rely on smart mobility by 2040. With this latest addition, autonomous taxis now cover nearly half of Abu Dhabi's core areas, further integrating AI-driven transport into the city's daily life. Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands—major residential, commercial and financial hubs—were selected due to their complex traffic patterns and high demand for reliable urban mobility. The initiative demonstrates the readiness of WeRide's technology to meet real-world traffic challenges. The expansion builds on services already operating on Yas and Saadiyat Islands, as well as connections to Zayed International Airport. Since the launch of autonomous taxis on the Uber platform in December 2024, the fleet has tripled in size. The Integrated Transport Centre is working to roll out the service to additional areas on Abu Dhabi Island, paving the way for full-scale commercial deployment. Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said, 'This expansion marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi's journey towards realising its vision for a smarter and safer mobility system. We are extending the deployment of autonomous vehicles to high-density areas to provide safer and more efficient travel experiences in line with Abu Dhabi's smart transport strategy.' He added, 'We are committed to innovative and sustainable solutions that improve quality of life. By working with our strategic partners, we are accelerating progress and enhancing the transport experience for all.' Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, said, 'Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are dynamic, high-demand areas. This expansion allows us to showcase our technology in complex settings and accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across Abu Dhabi.' Mohamad Jardaneh, Head of Autonomous Mobility, Middle East at Uber, added, 'We're pleased to bring autonomous rides to more people in Abu Dhabi. With strong engagement since launch, 2025 is the year AV technology enters the mainstream.' Abu Dhabi is the first city in the Middle East and North Africa to commercially operate autonomous vehicles. With a fleet of 44 AVs, the emirate has established itself as a regional leader in smart mobility, driven by strategic partnerships with global firms such as WeRide, Space42, Uber and Tawasul Transport. WeRide's Abu Dhabi fleet is its largest outside the US and China, underscoring the emirate's growing role as a global hub for innovation in sustainable mobility.
