Explainer

Why Doesn't Matter Work With the Ring Doorbell, and Will it Ever?

The Matter smart home standard promises interoperability, compatibility, and an easier experience with your smart tech. But one area where there is still work to be done is with doorbells, particularly Amazon’s smart Ring doorbell. Does Matter work with Ring? If not, why doesn’t it? And will you ever be able to use a Ring doorbell on your Matter smart home?

Christian Cawley Monday, November 11, 2024

News

Matter 1.4 Is Here, But What Does It Add to Your Smart Home?

Sticking to its Spring/Fall release cycle, the Connectivity Standards Alliance has today announced Matter 1.4. This brings a collection of overall improvements, including new features, revised functionality on existing features, and support for new device types.

David Drager Thursday, November 7, 2024

Explainer

The Best Matter-Compatible Smart Curtain Openers

We've explored how Matter-compatible window blinds offer an excellent mix of style and convenience with tons of materials, patterns, and colors to choose from previously. Now, it's time to turn to another window-covering option: curtain openers. In this guide, we'll cover the basics of Matter-compatible smart curtains openers, and how they integrate into your smart home.

Christopher Close Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Explainer

What Matter Smart Home Devices Should a Beginner Start With?

If your smart home is just getting started, and Matter is something completely new to you, you'll need to get familiar with it without breaking the bank. Below, we’ve got five Matter devices you should get hold of if you’re new to smart homes.

Christian Cawley Monday, November 4, 2024

Explainer

Are Smart Home Devices AI?

It's easy to think the modern smart home must be full of AI—from lights that turn on automatically to voice assistants that know everything! But is it really AI?

James Bruce Friday, November 1, 2024

Explainer

Best Matter-Compatible Smart Light Bulbs: Illuminating Your Smart Home

Smart bulbs are the cornerstone of any self-respecting smart home owner. But, with so many bulbs to choose from how do you know which ones are the best?

Christopher Close Thursday, October 31, 2024

Explainer

Can a Smart Home Function with No Internet?

One of the key elements of the growth of the smart home is the presence of wireless networking. Almost every home has some form of Wi-Fi router installed, and this makes it easier to manage and run smart tech and Internet of Things devices. But does your smart home need a permanent internet connection? Can your smart home function reliably without the internet?

Christian Cawley Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Explainer

The Best Matter-Compatible Window Blinds

With Matter, you can seamlessly control your blinds from a single app or voice command, regardless of the manufacturer or platform. In this article, we will explore the top Matter-compatible window blinds that are currently available on the market.

Christopher Close Monday, October 28, 2024

News

Big Ass Fans Are Now Matter-Compatible Thanks to a New Firmware Update

Matter finally has its first ceiling fans with the release of a new update for Big Ass Fans.

Christopher Close Thursday, October 24, 2024

Review

Govee Icicles Review: The Holidays Just Got a Whole Lot Smarter

Transform your holiday display with Govee’s stunning Matter-compatible icicle lights—whether it’s festive rainbows or sleek year-round lighting, these smart lights are a bright, bold upgrade for any outdoor setup.

James Bruce Thursday, October 24, 2024

Explainer

When Did Smart Home Technology First Appear? An In-Depth History

Having lights that switch on when you enter, or a robot cleaner that detects mess as soon as it hits the floor, and voice-controlled living room environmental settings, were once the stuff of fiction. But smart home technologies in the real world have been with us longer than you might imagine. How did we get from basic electronic appliances to voice controlled robot cleaners?

Christian Cawley Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Explainer

The Best Matter-Compatible Outdoor Smart Plugs

With the prices of indoor Matter-compatible smart plugs falling rapidly, you may be tempted to place one outside for tasks like holiday lighting. And, although it may get by for a while, chances are, it won't last more than a few seasons—especially if it gets hit by rain or snow. To get the job done safely, you'll want to invest in a Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug.

Christopher Close Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Explainer

The 5 Best Matter-Compatible Plugs

Today, we're going to look at Matter-compatible smart plugs, showcasing the top 5 picks that stand out for their ease of use, feature set, and compatibility with multiple smart home platforms.

Christopher Close Monday, October 21, 2024

Explainer

Does Matter Require mDNS?

As with most smart home protocols, Matter relies on wireless networking. But there is an aspect of Matter’s Wi-Fi requirement that might just impact its implementation on your network: multicast DNS (mDNS), a stand-alone protocol intended for small networks. Does Matter demand mDNS, or can you use Matter without it?

Christian Cawley Friday, October 18, 2024

Industry News

HomeAssistant and SmartThings Embrace Matter 1.3

Samsung SmartThings and the open source Home Assistant have become the first platforms to support Matter 1.3. But hold on: wasn’t Matter 1.3 released in May 2024? It’s taken five months for adoption, so why is Matter adoption so slow?

Christian Cawley Thursday, October 17, 2024

Review

Eve Energy Outlet Review: Automation You Can't See

As much as we love the original Eve Energy smart plug, it certainly isn't the prettiest of devices. Thankfully, Eve has a smart solution for this design/functionality dilemma: the Eve Energy Outlet. We go in-depth with this clever in-wall solution.

Christopher Close Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Review

Tapo S505 Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch review: A solid switch that won't break the bank

For just under $25 MSRP—and often much lower on sale—the Tapo S505 Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch is without a doubt one of the most attractive Matter devices on the market. But with such a low price tag, there are bound to be a few dealbreakers that hold it back from being one of the best Matter-compatible light switches, right?

Christopher Close Monday, October 14, 2024

Review

Govee Christmas String Lights 2 Review: Multicolored Twinkly Happiness

The Govee Christmas String Lights 2 offer smart, customizable holiday lighting with Matter support, dynamic scene mapping, and a host of festive features to brighten up any display.

James Bruce Thursday, October 10, 2024

Explainer

The Best Matter-Compatible Under Cabinet Lights

We've previously discussed how Matter-compatible strip lights with their flexibility and easy installation are an excellent fit for kitchen lighting—especially for cabinets. However, they aren't the best choice for those with existing under cabinet lighting or for those that want a clean integrated look. For these situations, consider a Matter-compatible under cabinet light.

Christopher Close Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Explainer

What Can We Expect to See in Matter 1.4?

The release of the Matter 1.3 specification in Spring 2024 saw a range of new device types and features supported in the breakout smart home platform. Matter has a bi-annual release cycle, with a new specification released every Spring and Autumn. Matter 1.4 is imminent, therefore, promising new features and functionalities. But what new device support can we expect from Matter 1.4?

Christian Cawley Tuesday, October 8, 2024