Mercedes and Samsung claim first for integrated in-car and smart home system Mercedes-Benz and Samsung have claimed a world first for a system integrating the former’s in-car voice assistant system with the latter’s SmartThings smart home platform. This will enable drivers and passengers to use their vehicles as control centers for the home, to activate connected systems such as lights, heating, security alarms and consumer appliances, while on the road. The system will kick off with the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, available from 2021, with other models set to follow. SmartThings was developed by the eponymous California based firm acquired by Samsung for its platform connecting various smart home devices. Japan’s Rakuten Mobile joins O-RAN Alliance The Open RAN (O-RAN) movement…