07/05/2026

LYFE THURSDAY | MAY 7, 2026

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The Sharp × Nojima Japanese Living Hub showcases home living solutions through interactive zones and weekend activities.

Nature-inspired innovations, featuring technologies influenced by dolphins, owl wings and dragonflies.

Guests explore Sharp’s J-Tech Inverter technology, highlighting energy-efficient solutions designed to support smarter home living.

Smart Japanese living o Sharp teams up with Nojima to showcase home innovation in LaLaport

SAMSUNG Electronics’s global smart home platform SmartThings has built enhanced integrations with furniture retailer Ikea’s new smart home product line, making it more affordable for everyone to create their own smart home. Samsung has enabled seamless integration of Ikea’s 25 practical Matter-over-Thread smart home devices – including smart bulbs and plugs – into the SmartThings platform, allowing users to effortlessly incorporate them into daily life. Easy integration with SmartThings through Matter-enabled Ikea devices Twenty-five Ikea smart home devices, including a scroll wheel remote, smart bulbs, plugs, temperature and humidity sensors, air quality sensors, motion sensors, door sensors and water leak sensors, now support the global smart home standard Matter. Previously, connecting Ikea devices to SmartThings required an Ikea smart home hub and SmartThings hub, but they can now be connected directly to SmartThings hub. They also work with Samsung appliances including TVs, air conditioners and washing machines, as well as a wide range of third-party devices and protocols supported by the platform. Smarter care – From checking on loved ones to optimising sleep environments Users can connect an Ikea door sensor to SmartThings and attach it to a frequently used door to monitor when their parents start their day and whether they are active at home through S HARP Electronics Malaysia and Nojima Malaysia are collaborating to redefine modern living by bringing authentic Japanese design, innovation and philosophy directly into Malaysian homes under the “Japanese Living to My Home” concept. As authentic Japanese brands, Sharp and Nojima are delivering high-end technology and their signature Japanese service spirit of “omotenashi”. “We want consumers to have superior choices which they can trust and Japanese brands represent integrity and excellence,” Sharp Electronics Malaysia managing director Ting Yang Chung said. Meanwhile, Nojima Apac Pte Ltd director and Courts (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd CEO Tomonori Amma said consumers can also expect a retail experience that goes beyond mere transactions. “Our collaboration with Sharp allows us to present Japanese technology and lifestyle solutions in a way that is interactive, engaging and meaningful for Malaysians,” he added. To address the economic realities of rising electricity tariffs and the work-from-home trend, Sharp is unveiling the latest J-Tech Inverter technology, which now comes with an enhanced five-year warranty. Ting pointed out this commitment would ensure that Malaysian families can save energy with a total peace of mind during times of economic uncertainties and energy price fluctuation, helping households to manage their expenses more wisely

without compromising on comfort. The “Japanese Living to My Home” campaign, which kicked off in LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre recently, marks the beginning of a grand vision to bring multiple Japanese brands together. By uniting Sharp’s technology with Nojima’s retail expertise, alongside Nitori’s lifestyle elements and Aatas Living’s Japanese design aesthetics, Sharp is building a complete daily living ecosystem covering all daily necessities of life. The vision is to establish LaLaport as a premium hub where all Japanese brands are synergised to deliver the experience of a holistic and high-quality Japanese lifestyle for all Malaysians. Visitors can now enjoy an experiential showcase at the LaLaport main atrium, featuring innovations such as Plasmacluster Ion Technology and Biomimetic Technology. Beyond the main atrium, there is a Sharp × Nojima Japanese Living Hub. Fully imitating a real home environment, it offers weekly lifestyle workshops and interactive sessions to ensure continuous consumer engagement.

(From left) Mitsui Fudosan Asia Malaysia managing director Masayoshi Saito, Embassy of Japan in Malaysia minister and deputy chief of mission Daisuke Nihei, Ting, Tomonori, Nitori Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Asean general manager Sano Masatoshi and Aatas Living sales director Boo Yong Seng at the launch event.

Samsung SmartThings expands integration with Ikea Matter devices

The scroll wheel remote can be used to control lighting and blinds.

Users can monitor and control their home through a unified hub.

prioritise aesthetic value in every detail, down to a single switch or lighting. Expanding boundless smart home ecosystem with early adoption of Thread Samsung is not only leading the Matter ecosystem through the rapid adoption of new standards, but also demonstrating strong technology leadership in the smart home market. SmartThings was the first to adopt Thread 1.4 – a low-power, short-range networking technology essential for smart home ecosystems – enabling Thread networks across brands to operate as a single unified system that enhances user convenience while helping drive the wider adoption of smart homes.

enabling a prompt response. Intuitive control with scroll wheel remote Ahead of launch, Samsung and Ikea conducted multiple rounds of validation to enhance connectivity stability and implemented a dedicated user experience within the SmartThings app for full compatibility. A standout device is the scroll wheel remote, which significantly enhances user experience. When connected to lighting, users can precisely adjust brightness and colour temperature by rotating the wheel, making it easy to create the desired ambiance. It can also be used for devices requiring fine control, such as blinds. It targets the design-conscious younger generation, who

SmartThings Family Care. This offers a convenient way to check on loved ones, even when living apart. Installed on a wall, Ikea’s air quality sensors and temperature and humidity sensors collect data on temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels and light intensity. SmartThings compares these readings with recommended ranges for optimal sleep and provides a sleep environment report with actionable insights – such as lowering the temperature to 19–21°C – helping create an ideal bedroom environment. Users can also set routines that activate the air conditioner’s dehumidification mode when rising humidity is detected. If the water leak sensor detects moisture, it sends an immediate alert