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Apple, Amazon and Google Smart Home Alliance Announces New 'Matter' Connectivity Standard

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Apr 12, 2001
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The Connectivity Standards Alliance, which includes major tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, today announced the launch of "Matter," a new interoperable, secure connectivity standard designed for smart home devices.

matter-smart-home-connectivity.jpg

Formerly known as "Project CHIP," Matter is a unified IP-based connectivity protocol that will be used to build and connect Internet of Things ecosystems. It is royalty-free and enables communications between a wide range of smart devices, plus it serves as a seal of approval to ensure that items built on this standard are reliable, secure, and able to work together.
With Matter, consumers and businesses can choose the brands they want in their smart home or commercial building and be confident they will work seamlessly. Homeowners, and especially those living in a smart home with multiple devices like smart locks, thermostats or smart speakers, can easily add new devices with a Matter mark using a simple setup code to connect their home as one. Businesses, particularly those that rely on connectivity, can count on one network to keep their operations running smoothly.
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Matter ensures that smart home devices are compatible with smart home and voice services like Amazon Alexa, HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and more, with the first specification of Matter running on existing networking technologies like Ethernet, WiFi, Thread, and Bluetooth Low Energy. Matter was designed with several key attributes in mind:
  • Simplicity - Easy to purchase and use. Simplifying connected experiences.
  • Interoperability - Devices from multiple brands work natively together. Providing greater compatibility.
  • Reliability - Consistent and responsive local connectivity.
  • Security - Maintaining secure connections. Robust and streamlined for developers and users.
  • Flexibility - Matter makes it easy for users to set up and control their devices with multiple ecosystems simultaneously.
The first devices that use Matter could be released in late 2021, and smart home device manufacturers are working on Matter-compatible light bulbs, plugs, outlets, thermostats, door locks, sensors, window coverings, TVs, and more.

Matter early adopters include Amazon, ASSA ABLOY, Comcast, Espressif Systems, Eve Systems, Google, Grundfos Holding A/S, Huawei, Infineon Technologies, LEEDARSON, Legrand, Nanoleaf, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors, Qorvo, Resideo, Schlage, Schneider Electric, Signify, Silicon Labs, SmartThings, Somfy, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Tuya Smart, ubisys, Wulian, and Zumtobel Group.

Article Link: Apple, Amazon and Google Smart Home Alliance Announces New 'Matter' Connectivity Standard
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/05/11/apple-smart-home-matter-connectivity-standard/
MOFS

MOFS

macrumors 65816
Feb 27, 2003
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Durham, UK
This can only be a good thing. I like HomeKit and can’t see me buying into Alexa or Google, but it’s sometimes difficult to make sure you’re buying something compatible. A common standard will make it easier for consumers and broaden the audience for manufacturers as all their kit will be compatible to all devices that buy in to it.
 
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Dwalls90

Dwalls90

macrumors 603
Feb 5, 2009
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HappySponge said:
Wonder if the older products can have firmware updates to support the new standard?
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This is my question. I'm about to close on a house and was planning on buying a bunch of smart home items, but will now hold off until we learn more. Not really thrilled with the thermostats and smoke detectors that are HomeKit compatible.
 
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Zmmyt

Zmmyt

macrumors 68000
Jan 6, 2005
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lovely...this sounds very promising. I will keep my hopes up until proven otherwise.
 
npmacuser5

npmacuser5

macrumors 68000
Apr 10, 2015
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HappySponge said:
Wonder if the older products can have firmware updates to support the new standard?
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No for one reason, the requirements the ”Matter” devices need certain standards for security. That alone eliminates a good deal of the current products. Defeat the purpose of the standard if devices with less standards were allowed. Maybe some devices could get there by firmware. Will see!
 
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HappySponge

macrumors member
Feb 10, 2018
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npmacuser5 said:
No for one reason, the requirements the ”Matter” devices need certain standards for security. That alone eliminates a good deal of the current products. Defeat the purpose of the standard if devices with less standards were allowed. Maybe some devices could get there by firmware. Will see!
Click to expand...

But couldn't that security be handled via firmware, or is it more hardware based?
 
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