Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 receives improved SmartThings control

Samsung has begun rolling out improved SmartThings functionality to Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 4 devices in Europe.

After initially announcing back in January that the functionality would be growing, Samsung has noted in a blog post that users should now be able to harness the same control as those in the US.

Specifically, the update is focused on broadening the device types which can be controlled from the wrist.

Following the upgrade, Samsung smartwatch owners will be able to interact more easily with doorbells, cameras and thermostats - and even use their watch as a remote to control certain Samsung TVs.

The move, of course, means that users won't have to take out their phones and access the SmartThings app; this update makes it as simple as controlling devices through the Wear OS SmartThings Tile.

In fact, through the SmartThings app on Wear OS, users can now watch video streams from cameras or doorbells connected to the smart home platform, and also go full Dick Tracy by accessing two-way talk from the wrist.

As per Samsung's description, smart blinds can be tweaked from the smartwatches, as well, while air purifier fan speeds can also be adjusted.

It's a small change, obviously, and one that's taken a little while to roll out to European users of these Galaxy Watch models, but it does help further enrich the Wear OS platform - something that Google's new guidelines for app developers should also contribute towards.