News

The LG ThinQ ON AI Brings “Affectionate Intelligence” into Matter Home Hubs

The unveiling of the LG ThinQ ON AI home hub has been teased by the South Korean electronics manufacturer ahead of the IFA 2024 tech show in Berlin, Germany. LG’s exposure to Matter has been limited to date, with just a handful of webOS-loaded smart TVs capable of acting as hubs via the ThinQ mobile app. However, the ThinQ ON AI home hub might change this.

Christian Cawley Friday, August 30, 2024

How To

How to Use Apple Home Adaptive Lighting With Your Matter Lights

While the transition to Matter for Apple HomeKit users was pretty seamless, the omission of one major feature—Adaptive Lighting—left some smart home fans in the dark. Thankfully, that changes with the release of iOS 18. Apple is finally bringing Adaptive Lighting to Matter devices with its latest operating system, so users both new and old can put their home's lighting on auto-pilot.

Christopher Close Thursday, August 29, 2024

Explainer

Do Matter Devices Work Without the Internet?

In theory, Matter smart home devices should work fine without the internet—the specification says so. But theory and reality don't always match up.

James Bruce Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Explainer

What is Samsung SmartThings?

A collection of big name companies are members of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the group that publishes the Matter smart home standard. Among them are Google, Apple, Amazon, IKEA… and Samsung SmartThings. You’ve heard of Samsung, but what on earth is SmartThings? And how can it help to encourage the use of Matter as a smart home technology?

Christian Cawley Thursday, August 22, 2024

Explainer

10 useful things you can do with a Matter smart plug

While it may seem that Matter smart plugs are just like any other, they are not. With a Matter smart switch, the possibilities of remotely controlling and scheduling the activity of devices is enhanced. These 10 examples of useful ways to use a Matter smart plug illustrate this.

Christian Cawley Tuesday, August 20, 2024

How To

How to Set up a Matter Smart Plug

One of the best ways to get started with smart home tech is to employ a smart plug. These internet-connected devices have a simple task – to switch on and off, thereby powering up or powering off any connected device. And just as smart plugs have been the ideal intro to smart home tech in the past, they’re also perfect to help you get to grips with Matter.

Christian Cawley Friday, August 16, 2024

Review

Aqara FP1E Presence Sensor Review: No Escape from The Watchful Eye of mmWave!

The Aqara FP1E is a slimmed-down version of the FP2, but you lose the ability to detect in different zones—and you'll need a Zigbee hub to bridge this into Matter. But if you just a basic but reliable presence sensor, it's great.

James Bruce Thursday, August 15, 2024

Explainer

The Best Matter-Compatible Recessed Lights

Ready to give your home a smart lighting upgrade? These Matter-compatible recessed lights may be just what you're looking for.

Christopher Close Monday, August 12, 2024

News

Google Launches TV Streamer, a Matter-Compatible Thread-Routing 4K TV Box

Taking a swipe at the Apple TV 4K, the new Google TV Streamer is an all-in-one powerful streamer and Matter smart home hub, with Thread border routing and home control app.

James Bruce Thursday, August 8, 2024

Explainer

The Best Matter-Compatible Ceiling Lights

Whether you need to replace an old non-working fixture, or looking to modernize your home, there's a Matter-compatible ceiling light that can meet almost any need. With a Matter ceiling light, your home will not only benefit from an updated look, but it will also gain convenient smart controls and maybe even a few extras like colorful scenes.

Christopher Close Wednesday, August 7, 2024

How To

How to use Matter Multi-Admin to share your devices across ecosystems

While Matter brings enhanced security, reliability, and a streamlined pairing process to the smart home world, the real star of the show is interoperability through its Multi-Admin feature. But how exactly do you use Multi-Admin with your devices? We'll walk you step-by-step through the process.

Christopher Close Monday, August 5, 2024

Explainer

What are the major differences between Matter 1.3 and 1.2?

Matter aims to bring improved interoperability and security into the smart home space. One way this is achieved is through a rigid release schedule. The Matter 1.3 specification was released in Spring 2024. It introduced a number of significant improvements, but what are the key differences between Matter 1.2 and 1.3?

Christian Cawley Friday, August 2, 2024

Explainer

Matter QR codes explained: What happens when you scan one?

QR codes are a key part of the Matter protocol, designed to make the process of commissioning a Matter device into your home easy. But what even is a QR code, and how does Matter use them? Let's take a deep dive, in today's technical explainer.

James Bruce Thursday, August 1, 2024

Review

Tapo P125 Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug Review: Mini plug, mini price

Is Tapo's $20 Matter-enabled smart plug too good to be true? We put one of the most affordable plugs around to the test.

Christopher Close Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Explainer

Can a Kitchen Fridge Be Connected to Matter?

Boasting temperature control, inventory management, and even diet control, the smart fridge can only be enhanced by the emergence of Matter. The new smart home standard is slowly spreading into the kitchen, with connected devices included in Matter 1.3. But can current smart fridges connect to Matter?

Christian Cawley Thursday, July 25, 2024

Review

Govee X Evangelion Gaming Wall Lights Review: Prepare to Geek Out

Govee has released a series of EVA Unit 01 themed modular gaming light fixtures. But they didn't just put some purple scenes into the app; they went all in with an industry-first fixture printing and design that must be seen to be believed.

James Bruce Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Explainer

The Best Matter-Compatible Relay Switches

Are you tired of waiting on Matter software and product releases? Then it's time to go DIY with one of the best Matter-compatible relay switches.

Christopher Close Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Review

Eve Door and Window Review: Constant Contact

At $39.95, the Eve Door and Window is one of the most expensive Matter contact sensors around. But how does it actually perform especially when considering the abundance of low-cost alternatives? Let's take an in-depth look.

Christopher Close Monday, July 22, 2024

Explainer

What do Matter smart switches do?

On the face of things, Matter-compatible smart switches just do what other smart home light switches do. But there is more to switching lights off and on remotely using Matter.

Christian Cawley Thursday, July 18, 2024

Review

Tapo P400M Matter Outdoor Smart Plug Review: Matter Goes to the Great Outdoors

By now, you've most likely heard about all the many ways that Matter can simplify your smart home. But up until recently, Matter was limited to inside our homes, leaving key areas out in the cold—quite literally. That changes with the Tapo P400M Outdoor Smart Plug.

David Drager Wednesday, July 17, 2024