Aqara to Support Matter From December 2022 via Hub Update

[MacRumors]

Smart home accessory maker Aqara today shared new details about impending updates and product releases that will add support for the Matter home standard.

Aqara users will first gain access to Matter on their accessories in December 2022 via an over-the-air update to the Aqara Hub M2, allowing existing Aqara Zigbee devices to become compatible with Matter. Other Aqara hubs, including the Hub M1S, Hub E1, Camera Hub G3, and Camera Hub G2H Pro, will receive similar updates in the following months.

The hub updates will expose over 40 existing Aqara Zigbee devices, such as the Door and Window Sensor, Temperature and Humidity Sensor, and Curtain Driver E1, to Matter and connect with other third-party Matter devices. See the full list of devices that will gain Matter support with the first wave of updates on Aqara's website. Aqara says it will expand support for Matter to more Zigbee devices in the future, with over 160 existing accessories in the pipeline.

In addition, Aqara plans to launch a new lineup of Thread-based multi-protocol devices with refreshed designs starting in early 2023, including native Matter support and direct connection with Matter controllers. The company also says it will open up the Aqara Home app to support third-party Matter devices.

Article Link: Aqara to Support Matter From December 2022 via Hub Update

 

[munpip214]

it will open up the Aqara Home app to support third-party Matter devices.

Why does every app have to try to be a “home” app?

 

[parseckadet]

This is a big deal! If I'm understanding this correctly, Aqara is saying that they will bridge Zigbee devices, including those from third parties, into Matter! This opens up a massive world of existing devices to HomeKit and gone will be the days where HomeKit users will need to use HomeBridge to bring Zigbee devices into their smart home. I wish someone would do the same for Z-Wave, but hope does exist that Hubitat will add Matter support (they joined the Matter alliance relatively recently).

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Why does every app have to try to be a “home” app?

What is the negative of it?

 

[Ryan H]

Great to see hardware being supported with emerging standards.

 

[jonen]

It's been so long since Matter was first announced that I forgot to stay up-to-date with news. However, I do already have the Aqara Hub M2, so I guess it's time to read up. 😂

 

[ifxf]

What is the negative of it?

Why does every app have to try to be a “home” app?

They can update with new features more quickly then Apple’s OS tied updates. Apple sometimes forgets about one of its apps for years at a time.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

or just buy Homey hub...

 

[ams1117]

Why does every app have to try to be a “home” app?

I don't like it but I think it's for 2+half reasons.

1. There are Android users so there should be some kind of "parity" I guess?
2. Offer features and extra configurations that HomeKit does not yet support. Two examples from myself: 1. I have Aqara cameras that moves itself to track animals -- I don't think you can even manually control the pan and tilt in HomeKit let alone get options to configure this. 2. Some HomeKit cameras have built-in MicroSD that can be configured to record 24/7. HKSV only records when motion is detected, and the playback is slower compared to reading from SD card.
2.5. Some people might like using third party apps? I don't like them but I have to use them out of necessity.

 

[PsykX]

Hmmm. Their water leak sensors aren't part of the 40+ devices.
Will continue to wait before buying them.

 

[MacFan23]

or just buy Homey hub...

I've never heard of the Homey hub before but I'm struggling to understand the appeal. If you want to use HomeKit but want to use unsupported devices, then Homebridge exists. If you want a hub you have full control of that also works with Homekit, then there are things like HomeAssistant.

 

[MacFan23]

Hmmm. Their water leak sensors aren't part of the 40+ devices.
Will continue to wait before buying them.

I don't think they're included in the 1.0 spec.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

I've never heard of the Homey hub before but I'm struggling to understand the appeal. If you want to use HomeKit but want to use unsupported devices, then Homebridge exists. If you want a hub you have full control of that also works with Homekit, then there are things like HomeAssistant.

Just check it out

Homey - A Better Smart Home

Create a better smart home with Homey. Control, automate and monitor your entire smart home from a single place. Homey supports 50,000+ devices from thousands of brands.

homey.app

it can connect all smart home devices regardless protocol they use and connect to homekit

 

[parseckadet]

Just check it out

Homey - A Better Smart Home

Create a better smart home with Homey. Control, automate and monitor your entire smart home from a single place. Homey supports 50,000+ devices from thousands of brands.

homey.app

it can connect all smart home devices regardless protocol they use and connect to homekit

$400 just for a hub is outrageous.

 

[Salomon100]

What happens to Aqara's locks? Will the N100 or N200 not be compatible with "MATTER"? Will they launch a lock in the coming months with "THREAD" support?

 

[zapmymac]

This is a big deal! If I'm understanding this correctly, Aqara is saying that they will bridge Zigbee devices, including those from third parties, into Matter! This opens up a massive world of existing devices to HomeKit and gone will be the days where HomeKit users will need to use HomeBridge to bring Zigbee devices into their smart home. I wish someone would do the same for Z-Wave, but hope does exist that Hubitat will add Matter support (they joined the Matter alliance relatively recently).

this is exactly what we’ve been waiting for. 💯

 

[_Spinn_]

Good to see Matter support starting to roll out!