iOS 16.1 Begins Laying Groundwork for Matter Launch

[MacRumors]

The iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 betas that were released to developers today add a new "Matter Accessories" section to the Settings app as Apple begins preparing for the launch of the new Matter smart home standard.

Tapping into the Matter Accessories section suggests that it will display all Matter accessories that have been added to a connected service. "These can also be added to additional services with an app that supports Matter," reads the text.

Apple has not yet implemented official support for Matter, but has said that it will be introduced sometime this fall. Matter is a new interoperable, secure connectivity standard that is designed for smart home devices.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1570103277835911170

Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance that includes tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, Matter ensures interoperability between smart home devices from different companies. HomeKit, Google Assistant, Alexa, SmartThings, and other smart home devices that support Matter will be able to work together.

Some accessory makers are set to support Matter as soon as the new standard is released and supported by Apple.

Article Link: iOS 16.1 Begins Laying Groundwork for Matter Launch

 

[Think|Different]

Bring it on! It's taken forever due to, undoubtedly, too many cooks in the kitchen.

 

[chucker23n1]

Question is: does anything else in 16.1 matter?

 

[KaliYoni]

Created by the Connectivity Standards Alliance that includes tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google,

Yeah, the generic looking, artifact-of-its-time logo and typeface design tips off companies other than Apple are involved. I wonder if Meta's insanely lacking in taste emperor insisted on picking his favorite option.

 

[boak]

That is a weird place to hide away the settings

 

[vegetassj4]

I don't have any applicable smart home devices, so it doesn't matter.

ba da bing....thank you, I'll be here all week.

 

[JGIGS]

Would this in theory work with Wiz light bulbs? That's about as smart as my home is a the moment but if homekit was better than the wiz app I'd be interested in trying it.

 

[azentropy]

Cool, another "standard" that probably isn't compatible with the stuff I already have (myQ, Wemo, Wyze, Fiet).

 

[Think|Different]

Cool, another "standard" that probably isn't compatible with the stuff I already have (myQ, Wemo, Wyze, Fiet).

Some of those have already announced one way or another but, either way, that's on them, especially going forward.

 

[erikkfi]

additional matter pun here

 

[RMo]

Would this in theory work with Wiz light bulbs? That's about as smart as my home is a the moment but if homekit was better than the wiz app I'd be interested in trying it.

Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), who bought WiZ a few years ago, has committed to Matter support: https://www.signify.com/global/our-...-to-adopt-industry-unifying-technology-matter. However, that seems to have been delayed, likely because Matter itself was/is not yet finished. What's less clear to me is whether only newer WiZ products are eligible to be "upgraded" or if it's any product. Sounds like it might be the former:

WiZ Matter-upgradable products will be available from September 2021

Regarding the Home app (for HomeKit) itself, I think people have had mixed feelings about it in the past, but it has undergone some changes for iOS 16 that some people might like better.

 

[2010mini]

So is this for existing devices or only new ones going forward?

 

[mdriftmeyer]

IoT interconnectivity requires IEEE standards developed thus Matter. How the implementation is done will be platform dependent, but certification will be required by all parties involved, including vendors and vendors realize they provide some IoT but not the platforms, so they'll comply or go bankrupt.

 

[RMo]

So is this for existing devices or only new ones going forward?

It depends on the device. Some vendors have committed to "upgrading" their existing devices to support Matter, and this should theoretically be possible on any Thread device pretty easily (not that there are that many out there that use this protocol). Some (not all) Zigbee radios can be re-flashed to use Thread, which presents another possible path to Matter support. In other cases, like Philips Hue, Signify is planning on keeping Zigbee for the bulbs/sensors/etc., while providing an update for the Hue Bridge to be Matter compatible. This bridge/gateway approach should theoretically be possible for any protocol that doesn't otherwise have direct support (these being Wi-Fi and Thread, and I think Bluetooth but just for setup), including Z-Wave, other Zigbee devices, and whatever else is out there--as long as the manufacturer chooses to. That last part isn't something anyone can make happen, whether the device is old or new.

 

[jbpiv3]

Cool, another "standard" that probably isn't compatible with the stuff I already have (myQ, Wemo, Wyze, Fiet).

Nothing will be compatible with myQ. I learned that a long time ago… if Chamberlain can’t make more money by selling additional accessories, they want nothing to do with it. don’t expect integration unless they can still sell their bridges for God knows whatever reason to
Make the myQ opener even “smarter.”

 

[jimthing]

How does Thread fit-in here to purchasing decisions?
Should buyers aim for devices with both Matter & Thread, or not...?

 

[Kabeyun]

This is a very, very good thing for consumers. Almost Bluetooth or Wifi universality good.

 

[bchery21]

I will remain optimistic however I just bought the Logitech Circle View doorbell as it’s arguably the best option for HomeKit integration atm.

 

[urnotl33t]

Nothing will be compatible with myQ. I learned that a long time ago… if Chamberlain can’t make more money by selling additional accessories, they want nothing to do with it. don’t expect integration unless they can still sell their bridges for God knows whatever reason to
Make the myQ opener even “smarter.”

Yeah Chamberlain is a pack of douches. This is another excellent area ripe for Fadell's Nest-like disruption (not the poisoned gangrene that is Google's Nest). A little more challenging since an opener isn't as easy to do as a thermostat, but all the other market forces, roadblocks, and challenges are effectively the same.

 

[Ashbash75]

They will screw it up like they did with zigbee

 

[svish]

Hopefully we hear more about it at least by the end of the year.

 

[_Spinn_]

I can't wait for Matter to officially launch.

 

[Aston441]

So is this for existing devices or only new ones going forward?

We don't know. They don't know either. No one knows. What is known: lots of things will break, updates will be forced/required that will break even more things, forcing purchases of new equipment and devices. Ultimately everything will be at least a little bit broken, so a new standard will be adopted and they cycle will begin again. You will lose money. The big players will collect the money you lose. The big players already have plans to have the standard turned into a subscription service. Pay monthly, or every last damn thing in your house shuts down. Your lights, your refrigerator, your toilet, everything.

 

[chucker23n1]

We don't know. They don't know either. No one knows.

Some old devices will retroactively gain Matter support, and some won't. New ones will have it.

What is known: lots of things will break, updates will be forced/required that will break even more things, forcing purchases of new equipment and devices. Ultimately everything will be at least a little bit broken, so a new standard will be adopted and they cycle will begin again. You will lose money. The big players will collect the money you lose. The big players already have plans to have the standard turned into a subscription service. Pay monthly, or every last damn thing in your house shuts down. Your lights, your refrigerator, your toilet, everything.

So, standards are now… bad?

 

[jettSW1]

New HomeKit UI is hideous, yellow icons are ugly, removal of rooms section in insane!, Hue light switches no longer showing on home screen, Had to use an old iPhone Pro 11 to manage them, as just upgraded my LinkSys Velop Homekit Wifi mesh and needed to change some of the switches functions. I have them setup in HomeKit so can turn blender etc on and off (have 4 sets on wall) find it insane they just remove them and go live to the public. App is still mix of unnatural side swipes combined with scroll. Really wish I did not jump into HomeKit eco system so early. My 186 devices from other brands, I am sure will become obsolete or broken with Apples next update. Even now is difficult as my iPad Pro currently has a different UI due to delayed launch of OS. I currently have some sockets, weather, PI computer temp tile, Ring doorbell in my HomeKit via PI 4 running HomeBridge with various plugins as got bored waiting for Amazon and Apple to play nice. (Have the PepHole Ring cam as cannot drill into wall or door due to living in a rental apartment.) but dreading this update! 😤