Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP), the open-source codebase for Matter, has released the 1.4.2 codebase on GitHub today with dozens of improvements packed in.
This will be the second minor release of the Matter standard, arriving roughly two months after the official release of version 1.4.1. Unlike the previous version, 1.4.2 primarily delivers improvements, with no significant user-facing features introduced.
What’s mainly improved?
Various tweaks and adjustments have been slated for this improved release:
Core reliability and communication: The update aims to improve how your Matter devices communicate. This includes better network discovery, more reliable message delivery, and enhanced stability in how messages are handled, especially for devices that connect intermittently or go to sleep (Intermittently Connected Devices, or ICD). For instance, battery-powered sensors such as Eve Weather, or the Aqara contact sensor P2. You should experience fewer dropped commands and more consistent performance.
Enhanced connectivity and setup: Bluetooth functionality has received numerous improvements, leading to a smoother setup process. This includes support for commissioning multiple devices and more robust connections. There are also fixes for how devices are added to your smart home.
Stronger security: Updates have been made to cryptography functions, enhancing Matter security, particularly in how persistent security keys are stored.
Better app and hub control: Your smart home apps and hubs will benefit from improvements in device management. This includes better subscription handling to keep device statuses updated, and support for new commands like Account Login and App Install Flow for Matter Casting.
General performance and compatibility: Various adjustments ensure devices align more closely with Matter's official specifications, leading to better interoperability across different brands. Many internal code quality, logging, and platform-specific fixes also contribute to overall system stability and future expansion.
When can we expect a finalized version of 1.4.2?
A code release doesn’t mean the version is officially released and available to vendors for certification.
A source familiar with this project told Matter Alpha that there could still be changes in the coming weeks if issues are reported in this version. Matter 1.4.2 could be officially released as soon as late July if the wrapping-up work goes well.
Looking ahead, the next version, Matter 1.5, should be ready by the end of this year, aiming to bring cameras and better energy management to your home.
Even though there have been changes with the new minor updates, the overall path still aligns with the previous routine: a quality release plus an application feature update each year, packed into separate versions.
(Source: GitHub)
