HomeKit supports Matter
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Smart home device producers are starting to outline their plans for adding support for Matter, a standard that will allow communication with Homekit and other frameworks.
Matter is an important standard for home owners, with it able to help enable the communication of smart home devices across different competing frameworks. For example, a device made to work with Samsung SmartThings could still work with Apple's HomeKit if it supports Matter.
With support from companies increasing in short order, manufacturers are starting to detail how they will be rolling out updates to make their hardware work with the specification.
Aqara
On November 3, Aqara revealed it will be bringing Matter out in December 2022, with an over-the-air firmware for the Aqara Hub M2. Subsequently, existing Aqara devices with Zigbee that connect via the hub will then benefit from Matter.
Aqara's other hubs will also receive firmware update in the following months, including the Hub M1S Gen 1 and Gen 1, the Hub E1, the Camera Hub G2H Pro, and the Camera Hub G3.
In total, more than 40 Aqara Zigbee devices will support Matter once the software updates start to roll out. Ultimately, Aqara intends to extend that support to over 160 devices.
The list of soon-to-support Matter devices includes:
- Door & Window Sensor
- Temperature & Humidity Sensor
- Motion Sensor and Motion Sensor P1
- Vibration Sensor
- Smart Wall Switch (US)
- Smart Wall Switch H1 EU
- Smart Plug (US & EU)
- Single Switch Module T1
- Wireless Mini Switch
- Wireless Remote Switch H1
- Wireless Remote Switch (Single & Double Rocker)
- Radiator Thermostat E1
- Roller Shade Driver E1
- Curtain Driver E1
- Roller Shade Controller (Zigbee 1.2)
- LED Bulb and LED Bulb T1 (Tunable White)
Aqara is also going to launch a line of Thread-based devices, including refreshed designs of its door and window sensor and motion sensor to take advantage of Matter controllers. The Door and Windows Sensor P2 and Motion and Light Sensor P2 will launch in early 2023.
Brilliant
Brilliant announced on November 3 that it has joined the Connectivity Standards Alliance as a Participant Member. While this will involve contributing to the Matter Working Group, Brilliant is also bringing Matter support to its all-in-one smart home controllers and smart light systems in 2023.
The company doesn't say what specific devices will gain support, beyond the smart home controllers and light systems description.
Eve
Eve Systems also announced compatibility with Matter, for three Thread-enabled smart home devices.
The Eve Door & Window contact sensor, the Eve Motion sensor, and the Eve Energy smart plugs for the U.S. and Canada, Europe, U.K, and Australia have all completed Matter certification. From December 12, they can all be updated in the Eve app to add the support.
As for the rest of the range, EvE says it will be issuing more free firmware updates to its entire Thread-enabled range over time.
Matter-certified Eve products will arrive at retail in the first quarter of 2023.
Philips Hue
Famed smart light brand Philips Hue is also going to be joining the Matter ranks. Before press releases announcing the change, it was discovered support will be coming to the Hue Bridge.
The update, which appeared in the CSA Matter certification database on Thursday and spotted by The Verge says a software update will arrive on the Hue Bridge soon.
Since Philips Hue relies on a bridge for the majority of its products, the arrival of the firmware to the bridge will make "all existing and new Hue lights and accessories automatically Matter-related too." The exceptions are the Hue Sync Box and the dial of the Tap dial switch.
As for when it will roll out, parent company Signify has said it would update the bridge as close to the launch of the standard. Given the Matter launch event occurs on Thursday, the update should be happening soon.
