Samsung's CEO, BK Yoon, used his CES keynote address to discuss his company's acquisition of SmartThings, a startup that's developed a "hub" to serve as a command center for a line of devices—enabling users to control appliances remotely via their smartphones. Samsung saw SmartThings as its entree into the connected-home marketplace while SmartThings saw, in Samsung, a quick route to a huge customer base for its products and platforms. SmartThings' SmartPower outlet lets users control lamps, electronics, and small appliances remotely.