Samsung's new SmartThings Station is a hub, smart button, and wireless charger

Samsung is taking the wraps off the SmartThings Station, an unusual Matter-capable hub for its SmartThings smart home platform that will double as a smart button and a wireless charging pad.

Like other SmartThings hubs, the Station will serve as a way of pairing accessories to the platform and managing automations. On top of native SmartThings products, however, it will also support Matter-based devices, paired by scanning a QR code in the SmartThings mobile app. The key feature of Matter is that you’re not limited to one platform — compatible accessories also work with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.

As for the button, you’ll be able to assign different actions to short-, long-, and double-presses. Typically these will involve automations — say, turning on lights and closing blinds at the same time — but you’ll also be able to link commands to SmartThings Find item tracking. For instance, double-tapping to ring your phone. Along the same lines, the Station should regularly scan for Find-compatible items such as SmartTags.

The wireless charging pad on the hub delivers up to 15W and can optionally send an alert once a device is fully charged.

Samsung is planning to launch the SmartThings Station in the US and South Korea. In the US, black and white versions are due to ship in early February. No price tag has been announced.