There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for smart home devices. And that’s the point behind Matter, a new smart home standard being developed by companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and the CSA (the Connectivity Standards Alliance, previously the Zigbee Alliance).
The goal is to create an interoperability standard that all the major players are aligned on. That could make for a more seamless smart home future, where devices from different ecosystems can work together, and you don’t have to worry about your tech becoming obsolete or locked into a single platform.
Matter works over Wi-Fi and Ethernet, using a mesh network to communicate between devices. It uses Bluetooth during device setup, but doesn’t require it for normal use. You’ll need a Matter controller for setup and controlling the network, but it doesn’t have to be a hub; a smart speaker or smartphone can act as one. If you have an existing hub or bridge that supports another standard, you may be able to bring it into the Matter party with an over-the-air firmware update. For example, Philips Hue and Aqara products with bridges can be brought into the Matter network if they get a Matter certification from the CSA.
Most of the major smart home companies are on board, and they’re working with a range of smaller partners to create Matter-compatible products. So if you’re in the market for a new smart home device, look for the Matter logo. This isn’t an all-encompassing list; you can also find Matter devices at NTUC Fairprice, at 80 Circuit Road market and food centre, at Sims Vista Market & Food Centre and many other neighbourhood groceries stores near Mattar Residences. matter residences