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.
Matter finally has its first ceiling fans with the release of a new update for Big Ass Fans.
Google’s long-awaited upgrade to the awkwardly named Chromecast with Google TV is the more straightforward Google TV Streamer 4K, a direct competitor to Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku. Released to some fanfare, the device is more akin to those devices, rather than being a compact dongle that hands from your TV’s HDMI port. But most significantly, the Google TV Streamer 4K is also a Matter hub and Thread border router.
The P200 Pro offers manual air purifier controls and exposes the air quality sensor data to your Matter network.
Thread 1.4 simplifies smart home networking by unifying devices into a single, more reliable mesh network, addressing past setup issues and enhancing overall interoperability and performance.
Smart home tech producer Aqara has made a collection of product reveals at IFA 2024, with a heavy element of Matter compatibility. These new products include new wall dimmers, bulbs, and a garage door controller. In addition, Aqara’s Thread support is extending, which should help to solidify its commitment to Matter as the smart home platform evolves.
Back in May 2024, German smart home company Tado announced a new range of smart home energy devices, Tado X – and the news from IFA 2024 is that they’re being released in the UK in time for winter. But how exactly will connecting a Matter-enabled smart home energy management system save money? And when will Tado X be available to US smart home owners?
After rolling out a limited beta for lighting earlier this year, IKEA has finally expanded its Workshop program to include Matter support for even more device types. Starting today, users can download a new firmware update (version 2.615.8) for the DIRIGERA smart hub that brings Matter support to seven devices.
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.
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.
Prime Day is great time to expand your smart home, and Aqara has some great products in the line up.
Been waiting for a bargain on SwitchBot devices? Now's the time to buy at deep discounts.
The internet is abuzz with talk of a "secret" Thread radio chip in some Apple devices, so let's speculate on what it could be used for in future.
A collection of new features have been unveiled in Home Assistant 2024.6, which boasts various improvements and the inclusion of Matter 1.3. The Spring 2024 revision of Matter adds various smart home interoperability enhancements, which are now supported in the new Home Assistant release.
German smart heating manufacturer Tado has launched Tado X, a collection of Matter-compatible devices in the European Union. Aiming to make smart heating more accessible, the Tado X devices are Matter and Thread compatible.
Home Assistant has announced that it is undergoing a significant shift in its management structure. It will now be overseen by a new non-profit organization, the Open Home Foundation. How will this shift affect Home Assistant's future?
Now we've had time to digest it all and wade through the sea of smart bulbs and plug sockets, here’s the tech that actually got us excited.
The SwitchBot Mini K10+ robot vacuum cleaner comes out today - and it will have Matter support by January.
IKEA is bringing out a competitively-priced LED light strip, with Matter compatibility on the way. Could the IKEA effect bring down smarthome product prices elsewhere?
Google, Apple, and Samsung are teaming up to bring the Matter open-standard to smart locks. Named Aliro, you can expect to see something in just over a year from now.