With several postponements, the Matter standard finally sees the light of day. Adopted by the digital giants, it promises a revolution in home automation by establishing a standard for all connected devices in the home.
Connected objects are becoming more and more democratized. Cameras, speakers, light bulbs, robot vacuum cleaners, thermostats, electrical outlets, household appliances and other doorbells have invaded homes in recent years with the promise of simplifying our daily lives. Problem: they do not all speak the same language and they are most often piloted through different applications. Some are only controllable by Bluetooth, others only include Wi-Fi, and some absolutely need a hub connected to the Internet box. Not to mention that the three ecosystems supposed to centralize everything – Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Home – are incompatible with each other. As a result, it is difficult to synchronize all the data and scenario options, and the choice of a new device is always a headache since it must be ensured that it is compatible with the other elements of the home ecosystem. . In short, we are still far from the ideal of home automation with a house entirely and easily…
This is precisely why tech giants like Apple, Amazon and Google, but also many manufacturers – like Signify with its Philips Hue range and Samsung with SmartThings – have come together in the Connectivity Standards Alliance (THAT’S IT) and collaborated to create Matter. The goal ? Simplify the management and interactivity of everyday connected objects by serving as a bridge between all the equipment supporting this standard. This involves setting up interoperability between the various home automation and connected assistants – Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, etc. – and home automation platforms. Also, all Matter certified devices will be able to communicate with any platform, which should facilitate both their purchase, their installation and their use within a connected ecosystem. The standard was supposed to be launched in 2020, but, having been pushed back several times, it is only proposed in its final version that this october 4th on GitHub. It will concern future equipment designed with this protocol, but also those that have been updated.
What is the use of the Matter protocol?
The Matter project was announced at the end of 2019 by Amazon, Apple, Google and the Zigbee Alliance – since renamed CSA – as a “royalty-free connectivity standard to increase compatibility between connected home products”. Initially, it was to be called Connected Home over IP (CHIP). This is a kind of common language for connected objects that allows them all to connect at home without the brand of their smartphone or the voice assistant used being a restriction. Basically, it combines different communication standards – Ethernet cable, wi-fi, Thread and Bluetooth – in order to simplify the pairing and use of different devices. For this, it relies on the ZigBee home automation protocol, which offers a large connection range as well as low energy consumption. In addition, it is autonomous, since it offers the possibility of creating a mesh between the devices, without depending on the quality of the Internet connection.
The Matter protocol offers many advantages. Indeed, it breaks down the barriers that currently exist between the different brands. Thus, the customer will no longer have to wonder about the compatibility of a new device with the system installed at home, which will facilitate his purchase and offer him a wider choice, since a Matter product will be automatically recognized and integrated into the existing network. This is called interoperability. The installation of a connected object is therefore easier. Be careful, however, because while devices equipped with the Thread standard do not normally need a compatible router or a dedicated connection bridge to communicate with each other – for example, a window detector which is not within direct range of the alarm system can communicate with the security system via a connected bulb –, they absolutely must go through a router to communicate with non-Threaded devices – even if they are Matter certified.
As all Matter labeled products can communicate with each other, the user can set up complex scenarios. Example: automating the switching on of the lights when a door is opened, or switching off the heating and closing the shutters if there is no longer anyone in the accommodation. In addition, the ecosystem is more secure, since each Matter-certified device must meet security and privacy standards – it must be encrypted and protected against eavesdropping. Blockchain technology will certify the origin of the object during its installation, and guarantee that the modifications and updates made to the software are recorded in a decentralized and transparent way, and that they can be checked by everyone. The buyer can therefore move without fear towards less large and well-known brands when shopping.
Which devices are affected by Matter?
Matter certified equipment will have an easily identifiable logo and a configuration code to connect to the network of connected objects. All devices concerning television, media players, temperature control, connected lighting – bulbs, switches, blinds and shutters – and security – detectors, sensors – will be affected. On the other hand, the CSA has decided not to make security cameras compatible with this version of Matter – maybe later? Ditto for air purifiers, robot vacuum cleaners or even refrigerators. Thus, an Amazon Ring connected intercom will remain exclusive to Amazon Alexa for the time being.
Many manufacturers like Amazon, Google, eWeLink, Ledvance, Sengled, TP-Link, Tuya and Lifx have announced that many of their devices will receive updates to be compatible with the Matter protocol. Google is planning some this fall for all its existing connected objects. Thus, Google Home speakers, Google Nest and Nest Wifi routers can serve as a Matter bridge – they will manage communication between the different devices in the house thanks to the Thread protocol, while objects, such as the Nest Thermostat, the Google motion detectors or the Nest smoke detector, will work with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa after they are updated. Google’s upcoming connected objects will be directly compatible with Matter, without the user needing to add them manually in an application such as Google Home or Apple Home. The majority of Amazon equipment should also be compatible quickly. On the Apple side, it’s version 16.1 of iOS – currently in beta – who will support the protocol.
Other manufacturers have already announced that their devices will subsequently be compatible with Matter – without giving a precise date. Signify – formerly Philips – said its Hue and WiZ bulbs will be Matter certified thanks to an update to its Philips Hue Bridge, while its future things will be able to work without. Likewise, Samsung has announced that some of its connected TVs and monitors will work as Matter hubs to control compatible devices.