Introducing Matter, the groundbreaking standard for smart home connectivity that you're likely hearing a lot about. Don't let the technical jargon intimidate you. Think of Matter as the smart home's answer to what Bluetooth has done for headphones—making things simpler and more efficient.
This seamless connectivity will apply to whatever device you might use, whether it’s a laptop, a PC, one of the most advanced iPads, an iPhone, or even an Android phone. Matter’s mission is to unite disparate platforms like HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon’s ecosystem, ensuring you never have to fret over smart home compatibility issues again. You can simply purchase the devices that appeal to you and control them in a manner that best suits your lifestyle.
Years of battling compatibility challenges may leave you skeptical, but you might be pleasantly surprised. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about Matter and explore how it stands to transform your smart home experience.
Stephen Warwick
Stephen Warwick is a seasoned smart home expert with six years of experience, specializing in Apple's ecosystem. An avid user of smart home products, he plays a significant role in crafting Homekit.Blog's buyer's guides and smart home news reporting. Stephen had the opportunity to attend the Matter launch event in Amsterdam, where he interviewed representatives from Amazon, Google, Nanoleaf, and others.
What is Matter?
Matter, previously going by the name Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP), is a fresh standard orchestrated for smart home gadgets. Backed by renowned companies such as Apple, Google, and Amazon within the Connectivity Standards Alliance, it seeks to enhance interoperability among smart home devices across varying platforms. Additionally, it’s supported by known brands like Nanoleaf, Netatmo, and Eve among others.
"This industry–unifying standard is a promise of reliable, secure connectivity—a seal of approval that devices will work seamlessly together, today and tomorrow."
This widespread support implies that Matter might make leading devices, like Ring video doorbells and Nest thermostats, integrate smoothly with Apple ecosystems and the home app, akin to current HomeKit accessories.
How does Matter work?
Matter operates on the Internet Protocol (IP). Utilized existing networking technologies help harmonize well-known smart home platforms. Devices certified with Matter employ standard connection technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and Thread to link with your network and each other. As technology evolves, Matter is expected to integrate fresh standards, ensuring forward compatibility.
This design philosophy allows manufacturers that align with Matter to render their products compatible with Apple’s HomeKit and Home app, Google’s Assistant, and Amazon Alexa without juggling multiple protocols. For users, the Matter emblem is a marker of reliability, assuring consumers that the product will operate with their smart home systems, irrespective of the employed ecosystem.
For Apple device users, Matter means opening up to a plethora of accessories beyond those confined to Apple's HomeKit. It heralds a new frontier of device compatibility. Simultaneously, prior HomeKit-only devices will find a bridging path to operate within other ecosystems as well.
Will Matter work with HomeKit and the Home app?
Indeed! As Apple stands among the Connectivity Standards Alliance members, devices that carry the Matter certification will function seamlessly through the Home app and Siri, alongside existing HomeKit-enabled gadgets. iOS 16 was designed with built-in Matter support, equipping developers to incorporate this new protocol into their smart home applications.
Will Matter work with AirPlay 2?
Initially, Matter’s debut didn’t offer definitive insights into interactions with AirPlay 2 or Google Cast. But, subsequent revelations suggest that a standardized casting system might feature in the Matter specification, potentially substituting existing proprietary systems with a universal, user-friendly approach.
Nevertheless, manufacturers associated with Matter are not obligated to implement all facets of the specification. Consequently, AirPlay might continue its existence solely within Apple devices. This aspect remains under speculation as we await more clarity.
When will we see products that work with Matter?
(Image credit: Connectivity Standards Alliance.)
Matter-compatible devices have already started to emerge, and their numbers will only swell in the coming times. If future-proofing your home is on your agenda, investigating some of the top available Matter-supporting devices is a sage choice to ensure compatibility with your requirements.
Will Matter work with older smart home devices?
The transition framework and the capability of older devices to support Matter remain somewhat ambiguous. The question of whether existing smart devices will seamlessly transition to Matter depends heavily on manufacturers' stances and the technological makeup of individual products.
Given Matter's compatibility with existing standards like Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, and Bluetooth LE, firmware updates could potentially introduce Matter support to existing devices. However, this likelihood hangs on the hardware's ability to align with Matter's specifications. Observing which products adopt Matter will thus provide greater insight—particularly newer models may have a higher probability than earlier iterations.
From early manufacturer feedback, brands like Philips Hue, Yale, and Google's Nest have expressed their intent to introduce Matter support to selected existing devices, promising well for established smart home owners. Yet, some companies like Nanoleaf acknowledge that some existing hardware falls short of Matter compatibility, necessitating new product lines.
How does Matter work with Thread?
(Image credit: Stephan Warwick / Homekit.Blog)
Presently, Thread is a significant player in the smart home realm. It is a mesh-networking protocol embedded in newer smart home gadgets like the HomePod Mini and the new HomePod 2. These Thread-integrated devices benefit from quicker response times and a more reliable connection.
Thread is anticipated to be among several technological bases on which Matter is constructed. In combination with Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth LE, and Ethernet, Thread’s role, while not mandatory for Matter certification, is expectedly leveraged by numerous forthcoming devices.
Why does all this matter?
Smart technology’s grasp extends deeply into the modern home. Nevertheless, navigating across different ecosystems can become a convoluted affair. For Apple equipment enthusiasts, HomeKit represents a natural fit. Yet, converting to other platforms down the line could drive up costs and complicate logistics. Similarly, Android users must align with Google Assistant-friendly gadgets, aware of potential issues if migrating to Apple products, which might leave devices unsupported.
Matter proposes to bridge these ecosystem divides, heralding significant consumer benefits. Endorsed by major tech entities like Apple, Amazon, and Google, Matter should unfold as a boon of greater product variety and simplified seamless integration among devices. While specific implementation details are yet indistinct, and the ultimate impact remains to be fully realized, the road ahead promises an intriguing and promising convergence within the smart home landscape.
