If you follow consumer technology news to stay up to date on the latest gadgets, you’ve probably already heard of the next big thing in home automation: Matter. But what exactly is Matter? It’s not a gadget itself, but rather a new industry standard for smart home technology. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about what Matter is, how it will affect your home automation systems, and how BlueVision can help keep your home operating smoothly on the cutting edge of technology.
What is Matter, and why should you care?
Matter is an open-source, IP-based connectivity standard for smart home technology, using Wi-Fi and Thread network layers and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for commissioning. Its goal, in theory, is to standardize and simplify the Internet of Things, creating a more functional and secure user experience. Being open-source (read: free) means that it’s much more likely to be embraced by a broader range of companies. In fact, hundreds of companies of all sizes have come together to bring Matter to life and/or to adopt it as a standard, including many of our featured brands like Apple, Google, Amazon, Lutron, Samsung, Sonos, and Crestron.
According to Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, “What started as a mission to unravel the complexities of connectivity has resulted in Matter, a single, global IP-based protocol that will fundamentally change the IoT… This release is the first step on a journey our community and the industry are taking to make the IoT more simple, secure, and valuable no matter who you are or where you live. With global support from companies large and small, today’s Matter 1.0 release is more than a milestone for our organization and our members; it is a celebration of what is possible.”
So, what does Matter mean for you? More choices when you’re shopping for smart home devices, for starters. Simply put, Matter will make sure that all of your home automation gadgets get along and play nicely, so you don’t have to worry about annoying compatibility issues or having to remember which apps control what in your home. You’ve probably seen the lists of compatible brands and devices on the box when shopping for smart home gadgets; now you’ll be able to tell with just a glance whether a product is compatible with your home.
Wondering how all this will affect your existing home automation system? Don’t worry; Matter will not make your current home automation devices obsolete. Because so many of the biggest home technology brands have already been involved with creating Matter, they already have updates ready to go. All you’ll need to do is update your devices. For instance, Philips announced last year that Hue products would be compatible with Matter, and the Hue Bridge lighting hub is automatically Matter-ready.
Long story short, Matter will:
- Create a more streamlined experience, eliminating device compatibility concerns.
- Eliminate the need for multiple apps and remotes.
- Make shopping for smart home devices easy and simple.
- Put the power in your hands to choose home automation devices based on your preferences and not on compatibility.
- NOT cause you to replace your existing home technology.
Big changes in the tech world can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not someone who loves the nitty-gritty technical details. Fortunately, Matter isn’t something to worry about, and BlueVision is here to help with whatever you need. We make it easy to enjoy the best modern technology has to offer with intuitive, easy-to-use smart home systems that don’t require a crash-course in network management, electronics, or programming. Whether you want to upgrade your entertainment system or control your home’s basic environmental functions conveniently from your phone, we’re ready to lend a hand. Call BlueVision at 404-835-7342 to schedule a consultation, or visit our Roswell home automation showroom for a hands-on introduction to luxury home technology.