Matter-compatible smart plugs vs. outlets: when should you use which?
You could buy a smart plug, or opt for a more permanent solution with a smart outlet. But which option is best for you?
Bertel King
Explainer
211 articles
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What are the advantages of a Matter-compatible smart light?
When you're buying a smart light, does Matter matter? More than you might think.
Bertel King
What Is Alexa+? How Amazon Will Bring ChatGPT-Grade Conversational AI to Your Smart Home
Amazon’s Alexa has long been the best of a bad bunch when it comes to smart voice assistants, but in a world where ChatGPT-style AI is redefining what’s possible, it feels outdated. That’s about to change with Alexa+, a new AI-powered upgrade that promises natural conversations, memory, and actual intelligence.
James Bruce
What is Matter.js? How to Make a Virtual Device Switch
Matter.js is a JavaScript implementation of the Matter smart home protocol, letting you create, simulate, and control devices using simple code. In this guide, I’ll show you how to build a virtual PC suspend switch to remotely put your computer to sleep.
James Bruce
The Best Matter-Compatible Spotlight Bulbs
In our ongoing series that explores the best Matter-compatible light bulbs, we've covered floodlights, candelabra, and standard A19 options. Today, we'll be taking a look at the most common bulb type for spotlights and track lighting—GU10.
Christopher Close
Why are there no Matter-compatible security cameras?
Despite Matter's promise of interoperability, Matter-compatible cameras remain some way off. Technical hurdles, market fragmentation, and consumer education challenges all contribute to this slow progress. The future of Matter hinges on overcoming these obstacles to achieve a seamless smart home experience.
Christian Cawley
3 New Matter Releases We're Looking Forward to at CES 2025
A collection of significant Matter devices are expected to be unveiled at CES 2025, so here's a look at the smart home devices we're particularly interested in seeing.
Christian Cawley
2024: The Year Smart Home Interoperability Began to Matter
Was 2024 the "Year of Matter?" Not quite, but it certainly made some headway, becoming more important to smart home manufacturers. Its anonymity continues to be a problem as we move into 2025, however.
Christian Cawley
Can Using Matter Devices Save Energy and Help the Environment?
One of the key aspects of the Matter smart home platform is its energy monitoring features, extended in Matter 1.4. With careful management and configuration, there is the potential for a smart home to not only save you some physical energy, but to also reduce on domestic energy use. So do Matter devices contribute to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability?
Christian Cawley
Why Are There So Few Matter over Thread Accessories?
Thread was supposed to be the brilliant new low-powered communications standard for the Matter smart home. So why are most devices still using Wi-Fi?
James Bruce
Can Matter be Integrated into Garage Door Openers?
The smart home is gradually moving out of the house and into other parts of your property. Exterior lighting was the first step, then gardens. But what about your garage? Can Matter work with your garage door?
Christian Cawley
The 5 Funniest Smart Home YouTube Videos
The promise of a slick, functional smart home is tantalizingly within reach, and failure is frustrating. But just sometimes, it’s a good idea to sit back, take a more holistic view of the situation, and let yourself have a bit of a chuckle. After all, we managed okay before the smart home came along. With this in mind, here are five funny smart home videos guaranteed to lighten the mood.
Christian Cawley
The Best Matter-Compatible Candelabra Light Bulbs
If you are on a quest to make all of your home's lighting smart, you've likely experienced the pain of trying to track down candelabra-style bulbs. To help make the process quicker and easier, we've rounded up all of the best available candelabra options so you can spend more time enjoying your smart home and less time searching.
Christopher Close
The Best Matter-Compatible Flood Light Bulbs
While standard-sized smart light bulbs may be great for lamps, they aren't quite the perfect fit for recessed and outdoor lighting fixtures. For these, you'll need larger flood light bulbs for a seamless look and Matter smart home convenience.
Christopher Close
The Matter Wishlist: 5 Devices We Need in Our Smart Home
Matter is expanding its reach across the smart home space, but we've spotted a few common household items that could really do with some improved smart integration.
Christian Cawley
The Best Matter-Compatible Smart Fans
With their ability to circulate the air and provide comfort on-demand, fans are an excellent way to beat the heat without firing up the AC. However, fans are only effective if you actually remember to turn them on, so why not let Matter take care of it for you?
Christopher Close
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
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
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
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