Matter 1.4 Brings Support for New Devices and Easier Integration to Smart Home Setups

[victorvictoria]

This is really common. They call it a "feature" but a bug. 2.4 GHz is better is going through walls then is 5 ghz. Almost all automation devices that use WiFi are 2.5 GHz only. This is not unique to Aqura. It is almost universal. And really how fast do you need to move data for a doorbell or a door lock? 5 ghz is not needed.

Home automation over WiFi needs a _VERY_ reliable 2.5 GHz network. Enough so that it is worth is to add a few access points around the house so that every device has the full "five bars". WiFi is my least preferred connection method because the last thing I want is for my lights to stop working if the router needs a reboot. I like Zigbee, Thread or even Lutron's proprietary radio links better than WiFi as they seem to be much more reliable. But still, WiFi can be made to work if you add enough access points. If the devices were 5 ghz, you would need even more APs.

You can use 5 ghz for the backhaul to the APs but Ethernet is more reliable if you can pull the cable.

Today, many times you can not find a Thread device, so I look for a Zigbee device. Only if this fails I am forced to WiFi. So I have a mix. While my goal is to have 100% matter over Thread, this is not possible in 2024.

I had the same problem, and it was interfering with other devices, too. I disabled the entire 5mHz band on my router, which is no problem for me, but others may not have that option. It seemed like a hassle to selectively disable 5mHz for each incompatible device.

 

[ChrisA]

you are right in that Apple will never produce many such devices but thats what either Apple HomeKit certification or latterly Matter is for.

There are many many third party devices that are Apple Home compatible - though admittedly far few than there are Amazon Echo compatible for example.

Yes, correct. But my point is that you can never expect Apple to be the central point that ties everything together. That is 100% NOT Apple's business model.

So for example if you want a 3rd party wind speed sensor on your roof to send you a text message. Don't wait for Apple's Home App to have this feature. It will never happen.

Same for the scenario where a brand-X motion sensing camera can trigger a brand-Y flood light to come on when motion is detected. Apple's Home app is not going to offer that level of programmability.

But today, with no waiting you CAN make the above work and even connect Siri to it. But you have to move outside of Apple's ecosystem.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Yes, correct. But my point is that you can never expect Apple to be the central point that ties everything together. That is 100% NOT Apple's business model.

So for example if you want a 3rd party wind speed sensor on your roof to send you a text message. Don't wait for Apple's Home App to have this feature. It will never happen.

Same for the scenario where a brand-X motion sensing camera can trigger a brand-Y flood light to come on when motion is detected. Apple's Home app is not going to offer that level of programmability.

But today, with no waiting you CAN make the above work and even connect Siri to it. But you have to move outside of Apple's ecosystem.

I have an Ambient Weather WS-2902 weather station that I have been trying to tie into HomeKit for a few years to no avail...

 

[d-klumpp]

This is really common. They call it a "feature" but a bug. 2.4 GHz is better is going through walls then is 5 ghz. Almost all automation devices that use WiFi are 2.5 GHz only. This is not unique to Aqura. It is almost universal. And really how fast do you need to move data for a doorbell or a door lock? 5 ghz is not needed.

Home automation over WiFi needs a _VERY_ reliable 2.5 GHz network. Enough so that it is worth is to add a few access points around the house so that every device has the full "five bars". WiFi is my least preferred connection method because the last thing I want is for my lights to stop working if the router needs a reboot. I like Zigbee, Thread or even Lutron's proprietary radio links better than WiFi as they seem to be much more reliable. But still, WiFi can be made to work if you add enough access points. If the devices were 5 ghz, you would need even more APs.

You can use 5 ghz for the backhaul to the APs but Ethernet is more reliable if you can pull the cable.

Today, many times you can not find a Thread device, so I look for a Zigbee device. Only if this fails I am forced to WiFi. So I have a mix. While my goal is to have 100% matter over Thread, this is not possible in 2024.

Ditto on the "access points!" My initial Linksys MX4000 3-node mesh network has ballooned to 6 nodes for our vertical urban house of approximately 3500ft2:

Node 1 at Xfinity source at front of house
Node 2 at back of house to reach Node 5 and Netatmo weather station outside
Node 3 in basement at front to support a front Reolink camera
Node 4 in basement at rear IT closet to support Reolink NVR
Node 5 in detached garage to support wifi Reolink camera and provide good 2.4GHz signal to Node 2
Node 6 on 2 floor to support rooftop NetAtmo rain gauge and anemometer

Of course, I tried getting things to work on just the initial 3 nodes, but my various smart devices under-performed. When adding the Reolink system a couple years ago, I decided that adding Nodes 3 and 4 (i.e., buying another 3-node pack) simplified installation of the front camera greatly and getting its signal to the distant NVR. And the external garage Reolink wifi signal couldn't reliably penetrate 3 walls to reach Node 2. So committing a node inside the garage finally got everything humming along nicely.

 

[d-klumpp]

I have an Ambient Weather WS-2902 weather station that I have been trying to tie into HomeKit for a few years to no avail...

I went with Netatmo ostensibly for its HomeKit integration. Yes, sensors appear in HomeKit — after a very tedious initial install— but the sensors appear as "Not Supported." So those are disappointing. That said, I'm very happy with the system, especially using the superior myatmo app. The Weather Station lives in our bedroom where it reports temp, humidity, air quality, air pressure, and sound levels. The Outdoor Module reports temp and humidity. And on the roof, the rain gauge and anemometer are great. I can set many notifications and create my own, and the myatmo app has a nice iOS widget and AppleWatch complication. myatmo also generates cool-linking heatmaps of longterm data.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I had the same problem, and it was interfering with other devices, too. I disabled the entire 5mHz band on my router, which is no problem for me, but others may not have that option. It seemed like a hassle to selectively disable 5mHz for each incompatible device.

Or rename and split 2.4 and 5 to work as separate networks?!

 

[erihp]

I have an Ambient Weather WS-2902 weather station that I have been trying to tie into HomeKit for a few years to no avail...

done, you need homebridge

GitHub - peledies/homebridge-ambient-weather-sensors

Contribute to peledies/homebridge-ambient-weather-sensors development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[WarmWinterHat]

done, you need homebridge

GitHub - peledies/homebridge-ambient-weather-sensors

Contribute to peledies/homebridge-ambient-weather-sensors development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

I’ve tried that plugin several times an it has never worked. Unfortunately I don’t know enough about coding and json to fix it.

 

[jsalda]

This is really common. They call it a "feature" but a bug. 2.4 GHz is better is going through walls then is 5 ghz. Almost all automation devices that use WiFi are 2.5 GHz only. This is not unique to Aqura. It is almost universal. And really how fast do you need to move data for a doorbell or a door lock? 5 ghz is not needed.

Home automation over WiFi needs a _VERY_ reliable 2.5 GHz network. Enough so that it is worth is to add a few access points around the house so that every device has the full "five bars". WiFi is my least preferred connection method because the last thing I want is for my lights to stop working if the router needs a reboot. I like Zigbee, Thread or even Lutron's proprietary radio links better than WiFi as they seem to be much more reliable. But still, WiFi can be made to work if you add enough access points. If the devices were 5 ghz, you would need even more APs.

You can use 5 ghz for the backhaul to the APs but Ethernet is more reliable if you can pull the cable.

Today, many times you can not find a Thread device, so I look for a Zigbee device. Only if this fails I am forced to WiFi. So I have a mix. While my goal is to have 100% matter over Thread, this is not possible in 2024.

Still, companies need to do a better job with the radio bands. I bought a smart outlet (can't remember the brand) and couldn't get it on my network. Did a little research and saw that I needed to turn off 5ghz so that it could connect to 2.4ghz. Turned that band off on my eero system, but the plug still wouldn't connect after multiple tries. Finally gave up, sent it back to Amazon and got the Eve Energy. Got it to connect first try.

 

[erihp]

I’ve tried that plugin several times an it has never worked. Unfortunately I don’t know enough about coding and json to fix it.

if you wanna pm me with logs or screenshots i will try to help you

 

[victorvictoria]

Or rename and split 2.4 and 5 to work as separate networks?!

Now why didn't I think of that? I sorta did, but I don't need the 5 for anything, so I just disabled it.

 

[svish]

Good to know about all the changes.

 

[Trausner]

When will there be a Matter Standard for security cameras?

 

[hallmarkt]

Two questions...

1. How do we know what version of Matter Apple Home currently supports... and if and when they will support this newest iteration.

2. Enough with these obscure categories... when is video coming? I want my cameras in home as soon as possible and another year and version goes by and still no camera support.

If you look at this Matter GitHub commit merged by an Apple employee last week, specifically the `availability.yaml` file, you'll see that they appear to be including newer features at the framework level in iOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2.

Granted, including Matter functionality at the framework level still leaves work to be done at the iOS / Home.app layers, but it should give you an idea of progress.

Update Darwin availability annotations to account for new release. (#… · project-chip/connectedhomeip@a6f0168

…36304)

github.com

The previous "release" in that Matter file was targeted to iOS 17.6 and macOS 14.6.

connectedhomeip/src/darwin/Framework/CHIP/templates/availability.yaml at a6f016813e7d3b43c119bc70d9498788bd876ec5 · project-chip/connectedhomeip

Matter (formerly Project CHIP) creates more connections between more objects, simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers, guided by the Connectivity Standa...

github.com

There is a provisional cluster for video cameras. So work being done but I imagine it will still take some time.

connectedhomeip/src/darwin/Framework/CHIP/templates/availability.yaml at a6f016813e7d3b43c119bc70d9498788bd876ec5 · project-chip/connectedhomeip

Matter (formerly Project CHIP) creates more connections between more objects, simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers, guided by the Connectivity Standa...

github.com

 

[erihp]

If you look at this Matter GitHub commit merged by an Apple employee last week, specifically the `availability.yaml` file, you'll see that they appear to be including newer features at the framework level in iOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2.

Granted, including Matter functionality at the framework level still leaves work to be done at the iOS / Home.app layers, but it should give you an idea of progress.

Update Darwin availability annotations to account for new release. (#… · project-chip/connectedhomeip@a6f0168

…36304)

github.com

The previous "release" in that Matter file was targeted to iOS 17.6 and macOS 14.6.

connectedhomeip/src/darwin/Framework/CHIP/templates/availability.yaml at a6f016813e7d3b43c119bc70d9498788bd876ec5 · project-chip/connectedhomeip

Matter (formerly Project CHIP) creates more connections between more objects, simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers, guided by the Connectivity Standa...

github.com

There is a provisional cluster for video cameras. So work being done but I imagine it will still take some time.

connectedhomeip/src/darwin/Framework/CHIP/templates/availability.yaml at a6f016813e7d3b43c119bc70d9498788bd876ec5 · project-chip/connectedhomeip

Matter (formerly Project CHIP) creates more connections between more objects, simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers, guided by the Connectivity Standa...

github.com

just avoid the nonsense and buy regular homekit gear

 

[stocklen]

just avoid the nonsense and buy regular homekit gear

if only there were a decent amount of choice for HomeKit compatible cameras. There is not.

Ive tried a Logitech CircleView and it was appalling - constant disconnections was rarely online and therefore not fit for purpose.

 

[erihp]

if only there were a decent amount of choice for HomeKit compatible cameras. There is not.

Ive tried a Logitech CircleView and it was appalling - constant disconnections was rarely online and therefore not fit for purpose.

if you want network reliability go with PoE

 

[stocklen]

if you want network reliability go with PoE

My current Ring system is very stable and reliable....
Just sadly not accessible in the Apple Home app.

My dream of a one-stop-shop app for all my smart home accessories is therefore a while off yet.

When Matter was announced and 'launched' I didnt really appreciate the glacial progress there would be in adding even the most rudimentary devices to it.

To me, there are very obscure things that have been added where fundamentally things like cameras and motion sensors etc etc have not.

 

[ChrisA]

I have an Ambient Weather WS-2902 weather station that I have been trying to tie into HomeKit for a few years to no avail...

This is easy, assuming you have a Home Assistant server running (it is free and will run on a Mac inside a virtual machine, or directly on a Raspberry Pi or any old PC you can find.)

Then go to this webpage and click the blue button. This runs a script that integrate you weather station with HA.

Ambient Weather Station

How to integrate Ambient Weather station within Home Assistant.

www.home-assistant.io

Assuming that some Homekit device is attached also to HA, you can write automation to control the HA device based on weather data. It is not hard. Most of this can be done wit the GUI.

So you want something silly like CHanging the color of an RGB lightbulb based on wind speed, Yes you can do that and the lightbulb color will show in the Home App.

There is a trick with Apple Home. Let's say you want to be able to ask Siri "what is the wind speed?". Siri can not directly access the weather station. SO you create a dimmer switch and let HA set the dimmer to match thew wind speed. Then you name that dimmer "wind speed". Then you can ask Siri "what is wind speed".

Onece you are familaer with the technology and software, setting to the above is about a 20 minute job. Although there is some learning curve before you get to this point.

You can all see why Apple will NEVER allow this, programming "if then else" and unit conversion and tieing wind speed senoer to RGB lightbulbs would totally confuse the typical Apple user and they would have a huge customer support problem.

But on the other hand if you want to learn, all of this in possible today for very little or no cost.

 

[erihp]

My current Ring system is very stable and reliable....
Just sadly not accessible in the Apple Home app.

My dream of a one-stop-shop app for all my smart home accessories is therefore a while off yet.

When Matter was announced and 'launched' I didnt really appreciate the glacial progress there would be in adding even the most rudimentary devices to it.

To me, there are very obscure things that have been added where fundamentally things like cameras and motion sensors etc etc have not.

if youre happy with ring (shudder) why not look at integrating it with homebridge?

 

[ChrisA]

if youre happy with ring (shudder) why not look at integrating it with homebridge?

Yes, Homebridge "works" if you intend to be "Apple Homekit centric". I'd recommend it in that case. I've used it.

Home Assistant (HA) is another way to go. It is best if HA is to be the center and Homekit, Google and others are to be attached to that Center. HA, I think has a larger usebase and faster development. But if your goals are more limited homebridge might have a shorter learning curve. Although HA's GIUI is getting better every month.

Unlike others, I happen to like Siri. Siri can live inside my watch, my phone and homepod. Siri in the watch is very useful for something like turning off an upstairs bathroom fan at night. I don't have to find my phone, log into the computer or walk upstairs, I just say "Siri bathfan off" and Siri will hear me. You can do this with either HA or home bridge. But "bridge" will never allow you to say "Google, fan off"(or Nebu, fan off)

Either can work. But my point is that, Apple will NEVER cover all cases. That is not in their business plan. If you want all cases covered you have to use a product that has that exact goal. There are two of them and both are free. Try both.

The other option is to pick one company like Apple and stay within its limited ecosystem. It is a small ecosystem but it is easy to setup if only need simple things.

 

[erihp]

Yes, Homebridge "works" if you intend to be "Apple Homekit centric". I'd recommend it in that case. I've used it.

Home Assistant (HA) is another way to go. It is best if HA is to be the center and Homekit, Google and others are to be attached to that Center. HA, I think has a larger usebase and faster development. But if your goals are more limited homebridge might have a shorter learning curve. Although HA's GIUI is getting better every month.

Unlike others, I happen to like Siri. Siri can live inside my watch, my phone and homepod. Siri in the watch is very useful for something like turning off an upstairs bathroom fan at night. I don't have to find my phone, log into the computer or walk upstairs, I just say "Siri bathfan off" and Siri will hear me. You can do this with either HA or home bridge. But "bridge" will never allow you to say "Google, fan off"(or Nebu, fan off)

Either can work. But my point is that, Apple will NEVER cover all cases. That is not in their business plan. If you want all cases covered you have to use a product that has that exact goal. There are two of them and both are free. Try both.

The other option is to pick one company like Apple and stay within its limited ecosystem. It is a small ecosystem but it is easy to setup if only need simple things.

the person specifically asked for homekit integration, which HA certainly does, but the barrier for entry is so much easier with homebridge, especially if you just want to integrate one or two supported third party systems.

personally, i feel like once someone sees what can be done in homebridge, theyre more likely to find HA and decide if taking that deep dive is for them or not.

baby steps for some of these folks

 

[stocklen]

if youre happy with ring (shudder) why not look at integrating it with homebridge?

Mainly because ive no interest in adding any further complications / steps / components in my smart home.

Its bad enough having to endure multiple plugged in hubs in order to achieve 'native' integration with the smart home (Alexa too of course)...

... last count I have a Hue hub, a hive hub, an Ikea hub, and a switchbot hub. Too many!! Matter and specifically thread was supposed to save us here but its not materialising as hoped.

Ring is fine - and ive lost count of how many times Amazon promised their doorbell would be Apple Home compatible but they obviously have gone quiet on the subject now and have forgotten all about it.

For me, sure homebridge is a solution but to be honest with you referring to my simplicity requirements id be more inclined to ditch Ring and replace it with a HomeKit compatible system (of which choices are very limited in the UK at least) if needs be. After all I did this with my Nest Learning Thermostat as I got fed up waiting and gave myself a deadline.... (turned out to be the right call as they just wanted to sell a new thermostat rather than support the old one).

I think once a viable alternative to Ring exists - one that works well (that rules out the Logitech circle view) and doesnt need its own base station / hub (that rules out all - well both - the others) then ill swallow the bitter pill and replace my ring system. A shame, but I want native operability in the Apple Home App - as soon as possible for ALL my smart home devices.

Also.. important here is that I pay for Apple's one service plan and Id like to make use of the cloud camera storage without having to pay yet another 3rd party for the privilege - with Ring im still paying twice.

 

[erihp]

Mainly because ive no interest in adding any further complications / steps / components in my smart home.

Its bad enough having to endure multiple plugged in hubs in order to achieve 'native' integration with the smart home (Alexa too of course)...

... last count I have a Hue hub, a hive hub, an Ikea hub, and a switchbot hub. Too many!! Matter and specifically thread was supposed to save us here but its not materialising as hoped.

Ring is fine - and ive lost count of how many times Amazon promised their doorbell would be Apple Home compatible but they obviously have gone quiet on the subject now and have forgotten all about it.

For me, sure homebridge is a solution but to be honest with you referring to my simplicity requirements id be more inclined to ditch Ring and replace it with a HomeKit compatible system (of which choices are very limited in the UK at least) if needs be. After all I did this with my Nest Learning Thermostat as I got fed up waiting and gave myself a deadline.... (turned out to be the right call as they just wanted to sell a new thermostat rather than support the old one).

I think once a viable alternative to Ring exists - one that works well (that rules out the Logitech circle view) and doesnt need its own base station / hub (that rules out all - well both - the others) then ill swallow the bitter pill and replace my ring system. A shame, but I want native operability in the Apple Home App - as soon as possible for ALL my smart home devices.

Also.. important here is that I pay for Apple's one service plan and Id like to make use of the cloud camera storage without having to pay yet another 3rd party for the privilege - with Ring im still paying twice.

homebridge will make your life better. and in some cases will rid you of hubs.

highly recommended. maybe try it before the immidate pushback. your reasoning for not using it is why it was developed.