Updated Matter 1.2 Specification Supports New Device Types and Brings Performance Improvements

[steve09090]

You nailed it. Apple completely missed the boat and isn't even making an effort. And no, the Homepod doesn't count as anything that competes.

Amazon is the winner here, and will likely just continue expanding with Alexa. Google is runner-up. Apple is nowhere even on the stage, which is sad and very disappointing as they could dominate things if they tried but for whatever reason, they just don't seem to care about the massive space. Huge mistake.

I’m wondering what is technically wrong with HomeKit. It works fantastic for me, and the shortcuts features is excellent.

I install a Nanoleaf light, or Meross switch & garage opener easily. The lights go on automatically 30 minutes before sunset and out at midnight. I say "Siri, goodnight" and my bedroom lamps and lounge lights go off. My Eufy cameras records directly to an encrypted Cloud+ account. I open my gate and garage as I am approaching with a simple voice command.

Honest question, what is actually wrong with HomeKit?

 

[steve09090]

I genuinely cannot stand Alexa. Her voice is creepy sounding and she constantly is throwing out irrelevant statements when you ask for things, and the smart screens are barely anything more than ad displays that you for some reason have to pay for. Google is the actual winner, but I stick to HomeKit since I’m pretty entrenched with Apple devices. The only things I’m dissatisfied with are no device with a screen, and Siri being bad at searching the web. Everything else is fine.

I’m with you. I literally threw out my Alexa devices. The speakers weren't as good and I wasn’t getting the functionality I want for daily use. The only minor annoyance I have is when I am asking a question from the bedroom, the lounge HomePod hears, but not clearly enough (slightly muffled sound) to respond to the actual question/command accurately, so I have to moderate my voice so that my phone hears only.

 

[kkee]

I’m wondering what is technically wrong with HomeKit. It works fantastic for me, and the shortcuts features is excellent.

I install a Nanoleaf light, or Meross switch & garage opener easily. The lights go on automatically 30 minutes before sunset and out at midnight. I say "Siri, goodnight" and my bedroom lamps and lounge lights go off. My Eufy cameras records directly to an encrypted Cloud+ account. I open my gate and garage as I am approaching with a simple voice command.

Honest question, what is actually wrong with HomeKit?

Nothing wrong with it, it works excellent too for me. However it has limited devices as most cheaper devices (like those Made in China) supports Google and Alexa but not Apple HomeKit. However those that do like Eve works flawlessly and more reliably with HomeKit then the cheaper ones with Google or Alexa. So yeah there are some trade off. Less supported but if they did they genuinely working excellently.

 

[steve09090]

Nothing wrong with it, it works excellent too for me. However it has limited devices as most cheaper devices (like those Made in China) supports Google and Alexa but not Apple HomeKit. However those that do like Eve works flawlessly and more reliably with HomeKit then the cheaper ones with Google or Alexa. So yeah there are some trade off. Less supported but if they did they genuinely working excellently.

That’s what I thought. Some people here were saying how devastatingly bad it was. Thought I had gone bananas. I tend to stick with good quality products for things like this. My only rule is that I have 1 hub for the Eufy Camera (that records locally, while iCloud+ does it remotely) and the HomePod/AppleTV as the HomeKit hub. I can’t see the point of having a Smart things & multiple Zigbee, Phillips Hue, Amazon, Aqara, Nest hub as well.

 

[R2DHue]

You nailed it. Apple completely missed the boat and isn't even making an effort. And no, the Homepod doesn't count as anything that competes.

Amazon is the winner here, and will likely just continue expanding with Alexa. Google is runner-up. Apple is nowhere even on the stage, which is sad and very disappointing as they could dominate things if they tried but for whatever reason, they just don't seem to care about the massive space. Huge mistake.

💯

Apple — being renown from day one for making complex technology easy to use and being singularly associated in the industry with (now old) terms like “plug-and-play” (PnP) and “it just works” — has to pick its battles carefully, and it should NEVER participate in product categories where it can’t deliver consistently with this longstanding reputation — basically its whole purpose.

Also, Apple shouldn’t enter product categories or price categories where legendary Apple quality isn’t possible. It would RUIN the Brand!

For instance, Steve Jobs famously said, “We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk, and our DNA won't let us ship that.”

He quite deliberately stayed out of markets at times when his fiercest competitors were jumping in “with both feet.”

And he was often proven right, where Apple otherwise stood to lose a LOT of money — and its reputation along the way.

Unlike Microsoft or Google, Apple shouldn’t enter every market just because it’s there and there’s money to be made. (Leave that to Microsoft.)

Apple’s made conscious decisions not to compete in product categories before, and Tim Cook wisely hasn’t changed that.

HomeKit is a mess — the antithesis of ease-of-use, plug-and-play or “it just works.”

If Apple started out to do that from the beginning with Smart Home Automation (which would be the only way they should have started), they sure did fail in that mission.

The HomeKit “ecosystem” rn reminds me a lot more of the Windows PC at the beginning of this commercial than the Apple iMac at the end.
˙

 

[Sciomar]

None of the security camera manufacturers want to support standard because they want revenue from subscription.
if you have Ring door bell you can just watch live if you don't sign up for subscription.
If you have nest door bell you can watch recordings from last 3 hours.
If you have Arlo and need smart notifications you need to subscribe, i have Arlo i get notifications when a shadow moves.

Check out Ubiquiti.

 

[R2DHue]

Nice that Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings now all support the main Matter device types - which makes easier if you have multiple hubs like me. Devices over platforms.

Current supports (full and partial):

• Light bulbs and light switches (including smart buttons)
• Plugs and outlets
• Locks
• Thermostats and other HVAC controllers
• Blinds and shades
• Safety and security sensors
• Media devices (TV)
• Bridges (Hue)

The following devices are on the roadmap:

• Home security cameras
• Robot vacuums
• Home appliances (white goods)
• Home router and wireless access points
• Garage door controller sensors
• Indoor air quality monitors and air purifiers
• Smoke and CO detectors
• Energy management features
• Water management features
• EV charging
• Ambient motion and presence sensing

Also since I am using Eve devices for most of my HomeKit, this is on their website:
"Matter, the new standard for smart home devices is here – and the first Eve devices are ready for you to upgrade! If you have purchased an Eve device in the past, and want to leverage Matter to use your Eve devices from an additional platform, you're eligible for a free firmware upgrade."

Now instead of "Hey Siri, check this month water meter." I can also do, "Hey Google, what is my current water meter" or "Alexa, give me my water report for current month" or "Bixley, show me my water usage this month."

Time for another Apple Strategic Acquisition the way Amazon bought iRobot, Ring, Blink, Eero and other “Smart Appliance” makers⁉️

Or how Google bought (iPod Father) Tony Fadell’s company Nest and others⁉️

Should Apple buy Eve — which makes a range of Smart Home products that work almost exclusively with Apple’s HomeKit before someone else buys them up and expands them into Alexa and Google Home compatibility⁉️

Oops! Too late‼️

(“You snooze, you lose.”)

 

[R2DHue]

I’m wondering what is technically wrong with HomeKit. It works fantastic for me, and the shortcuts features is excellent.

I install a Nanoleaf light, or Meross switch & garage opener easily. The lights go on automatically 30 minutes before sunset and out at midnight. I say "Siri, goodnight" and my bedroom lamps and lounge lights go off. My Eufy cameras records directly to an encrypted Cloud+ account. I open my gate and garage as I am approaching with a simple voice command.

Honest question, what is actually wrong with HomeKit?

I think it may be that we could have a skewed perspective being more technically literate than the average individual? No?
˙

 

[steve09090]

I think it may be that we could have a skewed perspective being more technically literate than the average individual? No?
˙

That makes no sense. Are you saying you are more technically literate, or that I am? Either way, you didn't answer the question.

 

[R2DHue]

Apple has done a very poor job with HomeKit. However, after a few years and Matter becomes ubiquitous, it won't matter since all these entities like Google Home or HomeKit won't be necessary anymore. For all companies that support Matter, it won't "matter" what home system you're using, And that's a good thing. While I'm not at all surprised Apple was a founding member of Matter, I am still surprised Amazon and Google also were, despite their huge leads over everyone else.

I think you’re actually describing IoT.

And you’re right, after that, it won’t “matter”… 🤔

For an IoT future, Apple should start doubling, quadrupling down on security today.

I mean, I do know they already are, but I mean it in an even bigger way.

(Security might be the attribute that separates Apple from everyone else.)

 

[steve09090]

💯

Apple — being renown from day one for making complex technology easy to use and being singularly associated in the industry with (now old) terms like “plug-and-play” (PnP) and “it just works” — has to pick its battles carefully, and it should NEVER participate in product categories where it can’t deliver consistently with this longstanding reputation — basically its whole purpose.

Also, Apple shouldn’t enter product categories or price categories where legendary Apple quality isn’t possible. It would RUIN the Brand!

So many wrong assumptions in your post - in my opinion.

Apple entered the product category with airport devices. It literally changed the way we connect things. Have you ever added a AirPod to an iPhone? It also led to the development of Airplay, Airdrop etc.. Has anyone copied this system because it is simply the best way to connect. Or do you still add "0000" to your bluetooth device to connect? It also led to making U1 Chip for the AirTag. Again, completely reinventing this market.

All started from a market "They shouldn't be in". Geez. I think they ruined the brand with that one...eh...

For instance, Steve Jobs famously said, “We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk, and our DNA won't let us ship that.”

He quite deliberately stayed out of markets at times when his fiercest competitors were jumping in “with both feet.”

And he was often proven right, where Apple otherwise stood to lose a LOT of money — and its reputation along the way.

Apple found a way to make a $500 computer that wasn't a piece of junk (Mac Mini), Okay, technically, it's $599, but when you consider inflation, a $500 in 2011 (when Steve Jobs died) is now $685 and no one else has done that yet have they?

Unlike Microsoft or Google, Apple shouldn’t enter every market just because it’s there and there’s money to be made. (Leave that to Microsoft.

Apple entering markets to make money? Well lets see... Oh, yeah, totally failing in that one, right? lol

HomeKit is a mess — the antithesis of ease-of-use, plug-and-play or “it just works.”

HomeKit is a mess! Yet you fail to answer a single question on how that is the case. I say "HomeKit is NOT a mess". fight me. It "just works" is absolutely the case in my home. Maybe it's user error on your part?

If Apple started out to do that from the beginning with Smart Home Automation (which would be the only way they should have started), they sure did fail in that mission.

How have they failed? Don't my HomeKit accessories work any more?

The HomeKit “ecosystem” rn reminds me a lot more of the Windows PC at the beginning of this commercial than the Apple iMac at the end.

That's funny. I have an AppleTV. I need no more hubs. I have a power cable running into it. Nothing else is needed. Real messy huh?

 

[R2DHue]

That makes no sense. Are you saying you are more technically literate, or that I am? Either way, you didn't answer the question.

˙
Nope.

I’m only suggesting that people in this forum are probably more technically literate than most average members of the public (though I could be wrong).

Setting up Home Automation products isn’t ”not hard” for you/them/us — it’s that we don't even perceive it as being hard after having internalized so much technical knowledge over years.

(I mean, what percentage of Apple customers use Shortcuts?)

But for many average consumers, setting up Home Automation products IS hard and befuddling.

We don’t see it as they do because we take our internalized knowledge for granted.

That was my way of addressing his point about a possible reason why setting up HomeKit products isn’t problematic for him.
˙

 

[svish]

Good to know about the changes

 

[steve09090]

˙
Nope.

I’m only suggesting that people in this forum are probably more technically literate than most average members of the public (though I could be wrong).

Setting up Home Automation products isn’t ”not hard” for you/them/us — it’s that we don't even perceive it as being hard after having internalized so much technical knowledge over years.

(I mean, what percentage of Apple customers use Shortcuts?)

But for many average consumers, setting up Home Automation products IS hard and befuddling.

We don’t see it as they do because we take our internalized knowledge for granted.

That was my way of addressing his point about a possible reason why setting up HomeKit products isn’t problematic for him.
˙

I agree with what you are saying. But does this apply to Apple only, or home automation generally?>

I think that is what Matter is trying to address.. I don't think having multiple Hubs is the answer. That's why I think HomeKit is better, or at least easier than the mess that has been created by Zigbee v Thread v Bluetooth v Wifi v Matter.

In my old home I used an IP based system called KNX for all my automation, very popular in Europe (I am in Australia), and it worked (almost) flawlessly. Ethernet cable everywhere, and I was able to get a hold of the programming app to do my own changes. I would never use a wired system now because, despite the problems with adding devices, technology moves too quickly to have things hardwired.

 

[R2DHue]

So many wrong assumptions in your post - in my opinion.

Apple entered the product category with airport devices. It literally changed the way we connect things. Have you ever added a AirPod to an iPhone? It also led to the development of Airplay, Airdrop etc.. Has anyone copied this system because it is simply the best way to connect. Or do you still add "0000" to your bluetooth device to connect? It also led to making U1 Chip for the AirTag. Again, completely reinventing this market.

All started from a market "They shouldn't be in". Geez. I think they ruined the brand with that one...eh...

Where did I identify Wireless as a product category Apple “shouldn’t be in”⁉️ You’re making things up.

Apple — actually put wireless on the map in the personal computer industry.

Apple picked ONE of the many competing wireless protocols already available at the time and made it its chosen standard — and all the sheep in the tech industry followed to make the same exact 802.11 an industry standard.

Apple did this with USB as well. And the same sheep followed Apple then, too. (USB was “universal” — it’s in the acronym, and it makes things EASIER. Do you see a theme here?)

My only thesis was that if Apple’s going to undertake a product or service they should only do so with an aim of making it easy. That’s always been Apple’s role in technology. (Or, if you wanted to wax philosophical, you could say that’s Apple’s role in the world.)

This isn’t my information, this is just perfectly consistent with Apple’s entire history.

None of your examples negates my point that if Apple’s going to do something, they should never depart from their longstanding practice of making complex technology easy.

The examples you gave of the easy Apple ecosystem and the ease of pairing AirPods make my case for me perfectly.

Thank you.
˙

 

[Aston441]

I’m in the same boat. My Hue Bridge is giving me the option to upgrade, but if I do, it’ll reset all my scenes and settings. Why would I want to do this? I have 46 bulbs in my home!

It’s worse than you think. You'll likely have to enter the serial number of each and every bulb, as the new firmware can't find older bulbs automatically. One by one. Set aside a day or two of your life to make it all work again.

I was all in on automatic home five years ago. I'm over it. Over it. Done. I go out of my way now to find things with zero connectivity, and pay a premium for zero electronic bull. I don't want chips in my washing machine, or my toaster, or, especially my car.

My new life goal is manual home, unconnected everything, and ditch the damn phone somehow.

 

[Aston441]

I’m wondering what is technically wrong with HomeKit. It works fantastic for me, and the shortcuts features is excellent.

I install a Nanoleaf light, or Meross switch & garage opener easily. The lights go on automatically 30 minutes before sunset and out at midnight. I say "Siri, goodnight" and my bedroom lamps and lounge lights go off. My Eufy cameras records directly to an encrypted Cloud+ account. I open my gate and garage as I am approaching with a simple voice command.

Honest question, what is actually wrong with HomeKit?

That I spent hours setting it up, to behave like Alexa already did, for years, then when Homekit updated it magically deleted everything and expected me to set it up all over again? And that homekit is even less intuitive than Itunes? Who would have believed such a thing was even possible?

 

[R2DHue]

While you are technically correct, most of Amazon's smart home devices rely on web services to operate. If the Internet or device maker goes out of business, your smart home device will become "dumb" or inoperable.

Apple insisted on smart home devices to talk to their Home hub directly, so they can operate even when the vendor goes out of business or without the Internet. Matter also share the same benefit.

Like AirPlay?

I was just telling my sister the other day (she was texting me a photo while sitting right next to me) that it seems silly that her text has to traverse the Internet and come back to my device. Like mailing a letter to your next door neighbor.

This is where Apple comes in and innovates with things like AirDrop and AirPlay…

(What you say sounds almost like it presents a Unique Selling Proposition over Amazon Alexa that Apple should exploit vis-à-vis HomeKit 🤔.)

 

[Aston441]

Like AirPlay?

I was just telling my sister the other day (she was texting me a photo while sitting right next to me) that it seems silly that her text has to traverse the Internet and come back to my device. Like mailing a letter to your next door neighbor.

This is where Apple comes in and innovates with things like AirDrop and AirPlay…

(What you say sounds almost like it presents a Unique Selling Proposition over Amazon Alexa that Apple should exploit vis-à-vis HomeKit 🤔.)

You reminded me of how sick I am of autohome having to bounce everything off someone else's servers. There is zero reason to require this all the time, except for out of home control/monitoring. Thankfully Philips stuff (mostly) works without an internet connection. Unlike my D-Link smart stuff D-Link decided to just purposely brick one day, out of the blue, because they weren't making enough money on it anymore. I'm sure I'll get some class action coupon for a dollar off a new D-Link product someday lol.

D-link smart plugs are no longer usable. - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

I have a bunch of d-link smart plugs stopped working from today. I wasn't aware of the company ending the service of the products I have until

forums.redflagdeals.com

 

[3460169]

I literally just finished moving 10 Eve Energy devices from HomeKit to Matter. The migration of these devices to Matter is a one-way trip and requires that each device is individually upgraded with new firmware. I've been in IT work for the last 25 years and I gotta say this was tedious since each and every device (which are all identical) had to be handled individually.

Devices had to be upgraded one at a time via the Eve app on iOS:

• good thing I still had the HomeKit QR codes on paper cuz I had to scan them... again.
• that in turn created a new Matter QR code for the device... which has to be saved somewhere (I saved them as PDFs to iCloud Drive). Old HomeKit QR code is obviated by the new Matter code, no need to keep it.
• that new QR code then had to be scanned by the Eve app and this would kick off the upgrade process for the device. Put phone down and go have a coffee -- this will be 10 minutes or so... for one device.
• the upgrade process effectively removes the device from the Home and at the end re-adds it as a new device.
• repeat that all above steps for all remaining devices.

I did all the upgrades whilst seated in my home office area. 1 of the 10 devices flaked out on the upgrade and had to be restarted but otherwise it was clean.

But damn, this isn't something the average computer user is ever gonna be doing.

 

[User 6502]

You might be having a good experience with HomeKit. Mine is quite the opposite, it really sucks. My tado thermostat keeps disappearing from HomeKit (it works fine with the tado app, it’s only in HomeKit that I have to keep reading it). Quite often when I ask for all lights to go off some do, others don’t (Philips hue) l, again if I use Philips app it all works fine but on Apple home they appear as ‘don’t respond’. The aquara doorbell camera also sometimes decides it doesn’t want to respond (but works perfectly from the app). So yeah, HomeKit is just badly coded.

 

[Eorlas]

Apple already “blew it” in the “smarthome/automation” market, failing to produce a cohesive product. I think they’re too late to catch up now.

Amazon dominates with Alexa — but has somehow managed to make it a colossal financial failure, reportedly losing the company $10 Billion last year alone!

So maybe it’s a Good Thing™ Apple has failed — unless Apple failed AND lost a ton of money. That would be the worst of both worlds. At least Amazon can somehow possibly find a way to monetize its now captive audience.

It’s hard to succeed when you’re the third or fourth name that comes to mind in any product category.

Most markets are a duopoly: Coke and Pepsi, McDonald’s and Burger King, Alexa and Google Home, etc.

Third place is nowhere.

Fourth or fifth place place is “outside the multiverse.”
˙
View attachment 2300756

this might win the award for most bizarrely formatted comment of all time.

alexa losing money itself does not mean the company doesnt derive benefit from it. video game console manufacturers typically take a loss on the consoles, and make the profits back many times over in the games and accessories market for the lifespan of the console itself, which is on a 7/8 year cycle currently, and longer for the customers who stick around into the next gen with last gen's console.

amazon may see returns elsewhere thanks to interactions with alexa.

 

[philstubbington]

I was very surprised that my Hue Hub (which is a few years old now) has upgraded firmware that supports Matter. Duplicated every light in the Home app (thankfully only got 12 😂. Now to figure out what Matter devices are worth getting

 

[Asthmatic Kitty]

Whoever picked that typeface needs to go to jail.

View attachment 2300848

I just came here to say the same thing. It's soooo bad.

 

[NightFox]

I hope Apple is able to launch new products to take full advantage of this enhanced technology in the next year. Given Apple plays a major leadership role within this alliance, I'm sure they have already roadmapped some remarkable new products.

I'd be surprised. Apple launched HomeKit nearly 10 years ago, but has never sought to bring its own home automation endpoint devices to market - instead they've been happy to promote and sell third party devices. Although Matter is going to reduce Apple's MFi program revenue stream (licensing costs for Home compatibility), I still don't see Apple getting into this product segment. I think Apple's hardware focus is on recurring revenue-generating devices, so let's just hope we don't start to see subscription-based light bulbs.