All Matter Explainer Articles
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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.
Jul 23, 2024 -
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.
Jul 18, 2024 -
The Best Matter-Compatible Kitchen Equipment
If you’re building your Matter smart home, one of the key areas that you’ve probably identified is the kitchen. But is Matter-compatible kitchenware available? As of mid-2024, the list of compatible hardware is short, but the kitchen is a key opportunity for Matter.
Jul 15, 2024 -
What's The Difference Between IoT and Matter?
You could think of Matter as a subset of IoT devices, but the differences go far beyond that.
Jul 12, 2024 -
How Does a Thread Mesh Network Work & What Are Its Advantages?
Mesh networking is critical to the smart home, and it's partly why Thread is the network of choice for Matter.
Jul 2, 2024 -
What is Thread? How Does It Fit Into Matter?
If you're busy reading up on Matter smarthome devices, you may have come across mentions of something called Thread. But what is it?
Jul 1, 2024 -
Can Matter Work With Your Smart Television?
Smart homes technology has been surprisingly slow to build integrations with TVs. Aside from support for smart assistants, there is little to shout about. It’s hardly smart, is it? But with increased support for Matter, that might be about to change.
Jul 1, 2024 -
How Will AI Integrate into Matter Devices in the Future?
With the current boom in AI, it won't be long before we all have a HAL9000 to manage our smart homes for us.
Jun 28, 2024 -
The Best Matter-Compatible Garden Equipment
With the Matter standard hitting the scene almost two years ago, we've seen the market flooded with smart home staples like plugs, sensors, and light bulbs. Now with the basics covered, manufacturers have begun turning their attention to other important aspects of our daily lives—which includes the great outdoors.
Jun 26, 2024 -
The Best Matter-Compatible IR Blasters
In our guide to the best smart plugs, we covered how they are a simple, yet effective way to add Matter capabilities to older devices with physical controls. However, smart plugs aren't so hot when it comes to devices that don't save their state after powering down or for those that rely on a remote. For these types of devices, you'll need to turn to a Matter-compatible IR Blaster to get the job done.
Jun 19, 2024 -
The Best Matter-Compatible Power Strips
As great as they are though, smart plugs are not always the best answer for every situation—especially when multiple devices are involved. When you need the versatility of smart plugs for your desk or behind a TV, you'll want to consider a Matter-compatible power strip.
Jun 13, 2024 -
How to Tell Which Version of Matter You’re Using
Knowing which version of Matter your hardware is running can help you to choose the right devices. It will also determine which features your smart home kit can control via a smart hub app, and which ones are restricted to the device’s native app. But there is a problem. You can’t definitively find out which version of Matter you’re using.
Jun 10, 2024 -
Everything You Need To Know About The Matter Pairing Process
Pairing your new Matter accessory should be simple—but behind the scenes there’s a lot going on. Here’s what you need to know about the process.
Jun 4, 2024 -
How Smart Home Devices Will Change With The Matter Standard
The chances are, your smart home isn’t as smart as you would like it to be. Incompatibility, a lack of interoperability, and perhaps a simple tiff between brands and ecosystems are taking their toll. Multiple apps, dependence on specific hubs, and a collision of ecosystems in an attempt to make things simply work.
May 28, 2024 -
Matter vs Z-Wave: What's the Difference?
Arguably the biggest problem with smart homes is the lack of compatibility between devices and hubs. Even where compatibility is used as a selling point, problems can occur down the line. Two possible solutions are the Matter protocol and the Z-Wave mesh networking system. But both are slightly different.
May 27, 2024 -
The Best Matter-Compatible Lamps To Light Up Your Life
No smart home is complete without proper lighting that you can control from the couch or from across the world. And while you may think to look for a smart bulb, plug, or switch when building the connected home of your dreams, you may benefit more from an all-in-one solution like a Matter-compatible lamp.
May 23, 2024 -
What Is Zigbee? Is Matter Better?
Smart homes cannot work if the smart devices cannot communicate. Having Wi-Fi or Bluetooth support isn’t enough – devices need a way to message each other, a shared language, or protocol. Two prominent protocols are Zigbee and Matter. Current smart home devices and hubs support both protocols, but eventually one of them will be dropped. So which one will it be?
May 22, 2024 -
See Who's There, From Anywhere: The Best Matter-Compatible Smart Home Video Doorbells
The plain humdrum doorbell has undergone a high-tech transformation. Smart video doorbells combine the familiar chime with a built-in camera, letting you see who's at your door – even when you're not home. Now Matter has jumped into the ding-dong industry.
May 14, 2024 -
Can IKEA Become a Serious Smart-Home Player? An Analysis of Their Matter-Compatible Products
Matter is becoming the most significant smart home standard. But take a trip to IKEA, and things are a little different. Not only does the Swedish retailer have a wide selection of smart lamps and LEDs, it also has a hub. Can the Matter-compatible Dirigera hub and the rest of the Tradfri line turn IKEA into a player in the smart home?
May 10, 2024 -
The Best Matter-Compatible Buttons and Remotes
Instead of wading through potential distractions on your phone, or shouting to a voice assistant the next time you need to toggle the lights, consider a Matter-compatible button or remote. With just a click, Matter-compatible buttons and remotes can turn on the lights, close the blinds, or fire up a movie night scene with ease.
May 9, 2024