Matter is a relatively new smart home connectivity standard that has been gaining a lot of attention since its launch in 2022. It aims to simplify the smart home experience by uniting all smart home ecosystems under one standard. Instead of worrying about compatibility issues, users only need to ensure that their devices are compatible with Matter.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance backs Matter, which includes major smart home ecosystems such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung. Additionally, major device makers like Philips Hue, Eve, Eufy, Logitech, and Nanoleaf also support Matter. As of February 2023, all major smart home ecosystems are integrated with Matter, but only a few smart devices currently support it.
The versatility of Matter lies in its ability to communicate with smart home devices over multiple protocols such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth LE, and Thread. Thread is a low-power mesh networking standard similar to Zigbee and Z-Wave. This feature allows Matter to connect with less demanding devices like smart lights and plugs over Thread and more demanding devices like cameras and TVs over Wi-Fi.
Unlocking Smart Home Device Compatibility
One of the most significant benefits of Matter is that it opens up smart home gadgets from other ecosystems. For example, if you have a smart home built around Apple’s HomeKit and want to use a smart plug that previously only worked with Amazon or Google’s smart homes, you can now use it. Matter allows devices from different ecosystems to work together, eliminating the need for separate apps and controls.
While Matter is still in its infancy, it has the potential to become the go-to solution for streamlining communication across smart home devices, mobile apps, and cloud services. As more devices become Matter-compatible, consumers can expect more advanced features and customizations to become available. Matter ensures compatibility, security, and reliability for all smart tech providers, making development easier for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers.