Christian has been writing about technology since the mid 2000s, and has been published in numerous publications, online and in print. These include Android Magazine, Linux User & Developer, Linux Format, Tech Radar, Tom's Hardware, and Computer Active. From 2014-2024, he was a section editor and later deputy editor at MakeUseOf, before joining the Matter Alpha team. Christian enjoys old video games (mainly C64, Amiga, and MS-DOS), classic TV, and telling everyone who will listen that they should have a robot cleaner. When he's not shaping articles, Christian is a dad to three dancers, collects Lego, and is an avid home chef.
The FCC’s ban on Chinese tech testing is set to hike Matter device prices. With certification costs soaring, your smart home is getting more expensive.
The $199 Home Assistant Green price hike is a warning: the RAM tax is here. Build a cheaper smart home by using "invisible" hubs in your TV, fridge, or router.
Ikea’s Dirigera hub is seeing a price hike in the UK and EU, but a new firmware update is here to fix Thread routing issues and improve stability.
It’s all about the RAM prices
Recent revisions to the IKEA Dirigera makes bridging lights, sensors, and smart plugs almost effortless.
Govee’s Outdoor Spotlights Lite offer Matter-compatible garden lighting at a budget price. Weatherproof and colorful, they are a smart yard upgrade.
Aqara’s W200 brings Matter 1.4 and mmWave tech to North America. It’s a smart home hub and climate controller with a 4-inch display.
IKEA’s Matter gear is a bargain, but finding it is a maze. Here is how to navigate the aisles—and the meatballs—to find the smart home tech.
Matter and Thread. What are they in their simplest terms? How do they differ from one another? Do you need Thread to use Matter?
From navigating "no-neutral" light switches to optimizing OpenTherm heating against some of the highest energy tariffs in the world, building a smart home in the UK requires a bit of regional research to ensure your Matter gear actually fits your walls.
Hunter’s new ZenTech Bladeless fan is finally bringing the Matter smart home standard to your patio, ditching proprietary hubs for universal control.
Matter promises a unified smart home where everything "just works," but the reality is still a bit of a mixed bag...
New Matter-certified leak sensor is designed to catch moisture the second it hits the floor, and avoid structural damage
IKEA is tackling the "onboarding hurdle" with a fresh firmware update for its Dirigera hub. Version 2.934.0 looks to silence critics and smooth out Matter pairing.
Matter promised a unified smart home, but giants like Ring and Lutron are still resisting. Why are these industry leaders staying "Matter-free"?
Matter’s steady rollout is just the start. From AI-driven routines to energy-saving tech, here’s what the next decade of Matter looks like for your smart home.
Behind Matter is the CSA, a 700-member alliance where rivals like Apple and Google collaborate to build a unified, open-source future for the smart home.
Matter is making the smart home more accessible, but getting started requires the right hub. Here’s how to set up controllers, QR codes, and automations easily.
Give your Roborock S7 a Matter upgrade with Matterbridge. I used a Raspberry Pi to link my favorite vacuum to SmartThings—here is how you can do it too.
SmartWings unveiled its Matter blinds at CES 2026, featuring whisper-quiet motors and custom support for arched windows to boost your home’s energy efficiency.
