The Matter protocol is designed to make the smart home even easier to use.
Another milestone is here for the important Matter smart home protocol. Three smart home devices from Eve can now support the standard.
The first three material devices
First reported by The edgethe Eve Energy Smart Plug, Eve Door & Window Contact Sensorand Eve Motion motion sensor are now compatible with Matter with a firmware update.
Previously, the three Thread-enabled devices were only compatible with Apple HomeKit. That changes now.
They will now work with Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home once those three companies roll out Matter compatibility updates. Eve says that over time, all of her products will be Matter-enabled.
Amazon previously said it would add Matter support to 17 Echo devices this month, December 2022. And you can also control those devices now with an Android smartphone and the SmartThings app.
In September 2022, we also got a first-hand look at a Google Nest Hub controlling the Eve Energy smart plug.
If you own one of the devices, you’ll need to go through an optional update process, as once complete, you won’t be able to go back to HomeKit-only.
Once updated, you’ll still have all of your HomeKit features on the devices like autonomous schedules, child locks, and advanced automations.
To upgrade, you’ll need to join Eve’s Early Access Program here by providing an email address. You will also need a Thread Border router which is also an Apple Home Hub. This can be a compatible HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K.
You will also need an iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 16.2. This software is currently in beta testing but is expected to be released in December 2022.
The future of the smart home is approaching
All parts of Matter’s future are beginning to take shape. With support from leading smart home systems and numerous accessory manufacturers, expect to hear more about how Matter can take the friction out of a smart home in 2023.
