Routers are joining the Thread/Matter melee
A whole bunch of networking gear, known as Home Routers and Access Points (HRAP), can now support Matter, while also extending Thread networks with Matter 1.4.
“Matter-certified HRAP devices provide the foundational infrastructure of smart homes by combining both a Wi-Fi access point and a Thread Border Router, ensuring these ubiquitous devices have the necessary infrastructure for Matter products using either of these technologies,” the CSA writes in its announcement.
Prior to wireless networking gear officially getting in on the game, the devices that have served as Thread Border Routers, accepting and re-transmitting traffic for endpoint devices, has been a hodgepodge of gear. Maybe you had HomePod Minis, newer Nest Hub or Echo devices from Google or Amazon, or Nanoleaf lights around your home, but probably not. Routers, and particularly mesh networking gear, should already be set up to reach most corners of your home with wireless signal, so it makes a lot more sense to have that gear do Matter authentication and Thread broadcasting.
Freeing home energy gear from vendor lock-in
Matter 1.4 adds some big, expensive gear to its list of device types and control powers, and not a moment too soon. Solar inverters and arrays, battery storage systems, heat pumps, and water heaters join the list. Thermostats and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), i.e. EV charging devices, also get some enhancements. For that last category, it’s not a moment too soon, as chargers that support Matter can keep up their scheduled charging without cloud support from manufacturers.
More broadly, Matter 1.4 bakes a lot of timing, energy cost, and other automation triggers into the spec, which—again, when supported by device manufacturers, at some future date—should allow for better home energy savings and customization, without tying it all to one particular app or platform.
CSA says that, with “nearly two years of real-world deployment in millions of households,” the companies and trade groups and developers tending to Matter are “refining software development kits, streamlining certification processes, and optimizing individual device implementations.” Everything they’ve got lined up seems neat, but it has to end up inside more boxes to be truly impressive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Matter 1.4 brings a lot of exciting changes to the smart home, including the addition of new device types and control powers, and improved support for wireless networking gear. With this new standard, users will have more flexibility and control over their smart devices, and vendors will have more opportunities to create innovative products and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Matter?
A: Matter is a new smart home standard that allows devices from different manufacturers to communicate with each other and work together seamlessly.
Q: What is Thread?
A: Thread is a low-power, low-bandwidth wireless communication protocol that is designed for use in smart homes and other IoT devices.
Q: What is the difference between Matter and Thread?
A: Matter is a smart home standard that allows different devices to communicate with each other, while Thread is a wireless communication protocol that is used to connect devices to the internet and to each other.
Q: What devices support Matter?
A: Many devices, including smart speakers, thermostats, and security cameras, support Matter. The list of supported devices is constantly growing as more manufacturers adopt the standard.
Q: How do I get started with Matter?
A: To get started with Matter, you’ll need to purchase a Matter-enabled device, such as a smart speaker or thermostat, and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. From there, you can use the device’s app or website to control and automate your smart home devices.
