Where's Matter support and what devices are coming in early 2023?
Where's Matter support and what devices are coming in early 2023?
Enlarge / Mui Board 2nd Gen from Mui Labs embodies the highest promise of matter: a wooden board, from a company you you've probably never heard of, controlling devices made by many different companies, even though they're already connected to other apps.
mui
First it was spec, then release, then CES 2023: the past few months have been busy for Matter, the smart home connectivity standard. You can't fill your home with Matter-enabled devices just yet, but there are some intriguing options in development. Here's a look at some of the most practical, quirky, and viable gear to come (or soon).
Some parts of the material are already there
If you wanted to start from scratch this year in your smart home with a focus on universal compatibility powered by Matter, you already have a few pieces of the puzzle ready for you. Let's take it step by step, starting with your phone.
Your phone, whether iOS or Android, can scan the QR code or read the Bluetooth signal from a Matter-certified device. Most platforms support adding devices to a controller through an Android app, but only Apple's HomeKit and Samsung's SmartThings support enrolling iOS devices. Amazon announced plans to add iOS enrollment for Thread-based devices this spring, but already supports devices over Wi-Fi.
Your controller, the app, and the ecosystem that collects some or all of your Matter devices and lets you read or manipulate them are also likely ready. Amazon's Alexa, Google's Nest and Home devices and apps, Apple's HomeKit, Samsung's SmartThings, and open-source systems like Home Assistant already support Matter devices.
Matter devices can communicate via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Thread. If you are considering Thread devices, some of your existing equipment may already function as a Thread "border router" or range extender. Thread is already built into these devices:
Nest Hub, second generation and Max
Nest Wifi and Wifi Pro routers
Apple TV 4K (second generation and newer)
Apple HomePod Mini
Nanoleaf Shapes, Elements and Lines panels
Eero mesh routers, Wi-Fi 6 and newer
Amazon plans to add Thread border router functionality to its fourth-generation Echo devices in the spring of 2023.
Enlarge / Google's Fast Pair process for adding Matter-enabled devices.
Google
In fact, using Matter right now is very wonky
The bold among us can, technically, scan a few precious Matter devices and add them to a Matter-enabled controller with a Matter-enabled phone. Can, but probably shouldn't: It's not a very smooth process at the moment, and you could easily lose devices or routines from existing setups.
Enlarge / Mui Board 2nd Gen from Mui Labs embodies the highest promise of matter: a wooden board, from a company you you've probably never heard of, controlling devices made by many different companies, even though they're already connected to other apps.
mui
First it was spec, then release, then CES 2023: the past few months have been busy for Matter, the smart home connectivity standard. You can't fill your home with Matter-enabled devices just yet, but there are some intriguing options in development. Here's a look at some of the most practical, quirky, and viable gear to come (or soon).
Some parts of the material are already there
If you wanted to start from scratch this year in your smart home with a focus on universal compatibility powered by Matter, you already have a few pieces of the puzzle ready for you. Let's take it step by step, starting with your phone.
Your phone, whether iOS or Android, can scan the QR code or read the Bluetooth signal from a Matter-certified device. Most platforms support adding devices to a controller through an Android app, but only Apple's HomeKit and Samsung's SmartThings support enrolling iOS devices. Amazon announced plans to add iOS enrollment for Thread-based devices this spring, but already supports devices over Wi-Fi.
Your controller, the app, and the ecosystem that collects some or all of your Matter devices and lets you read or manipulate them are also likely ready. Amazon's Alexa, Google's Nest and Home devices and apps, Apple's HomeKit, Samsung's SmartThings, and open-source systems like Home Assistant already support Matter devices.
Matter devices can communicate via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Thread. If you are considering Thread devices, some of your existing equipment may already function as a Thread "border router" or range extender. Thread is already built into these devices:
Nest Hub, second generation and Max
Nest Wifi and Wifi Pro routers
Apple TV 4K (second generation and newer)
Apple HomePod Mini
Nanoleaf Shapes, Elements and Lines panels
Eero mesh routers, Wi-Fi 6 and newer
Amazon plans to add Thread border router functionality to its fourth-generation Echo devices in the spring of 2023.
Enlarge / Google's Fast Pair process for adding Matter-enabled devices.
Google
In fact, using Matter right now is very wonky
The bold among us can, technically, scan a few precious Matter devices and add them to a Matter-enabled controller with a Matter-enabled phone. Can, but probably shouldn't: It's not a very smooth process at the moment, and you could easily lose devices or routines from existing setups.
Enlarge / Mui Board 2nd Gen from Mui Labs embodies the highest promise of matter: a wooden board, from a company you you've probably never heard of, controlling devices made by many different companies, even though they're already connected to other apps.
mui
Enlarge / Google's Fast Pair process for adding Matter-enabled devices.
Google
