What Is Matter And How Does It Work?

Let's face it, compatibility issues can be a real thorn in the side of any smart home enthusiast. You have invested in reliable smart home devices only to discover frustration when connecting them to another brand's hub. That’s where Matter comes in.

Matter is a groundbreaking new communication standard designed to break down the barriers between various smart home ecosystems.

What Is Matter?

Matter is an emerging smart home open-source standard for simplifying smart home ecosystems by facilitating simple and secure communication between internet-connected devices from various manufacturers.

How Does It Work?

Smart home devices are made to make life more convenient and easier. However, installing many disparate internet-connected devices not meant to work together could further complicate things, and that is where Matter comes in.

Matter is based on the internet protocol and is made to assist manufacturers in easily making devices compatible with Google Assistant, Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Aqara Hubs, plus other voice and smart home platforms.

The goal is to break down the walls in smart homes and promote interoperability among different devices regardless of the brand, allowing for seamless setup and control through any chosen platform. Therefore, homeowners can control Matter-certified devices using whichever voice assistant, app, or device.

Who Is Behind Matter?

Matter was founded as Project Connected Home Over IP, a working group by Apple, Amazon, Google, and other major smartphone players. Also known as Project Chip, the companies launched in conjunction with the Zigbee Alliance in late 2019.

Google made a blog post in 2019 announcing it, saying it was meant to create a new standard that allows IP-based communication between mobile apps, home devices, and cloud services. The Zigbee Alliance was renamed to the Connectivity Standards Alliance in May 2021, resulting in the rebranding of Project Chip to Matter.

The announcements over the past two years spread Matter's awareness to numerous brands and individuals. Therefore, over 200 companies joined its development by January 2022. The CSA even said there were thousands of engineers from participating companies dedicated to creating its specifications and certifications.

What Do I Need To Use Matter?

Using Matter Controller

A Matter controller and companion smart home platform application allow homeowners to add plus control Matter devices. Unlike proprietary bridges and hubs from companies like Lutron Caseta and Philips Hue, Matter controllers can control any device regardless of the brand.

That makes it usable for anybody with a smart home. Its primary roles, when enabled, are to onboard devices to the home network, control automation, and devices, manage communications, and promote remote access. Therefore, homeowners must ensure that their Matter controllers are always at home, powered, and with an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the home network.

This development has encouraged major smart home brands to include Matter controllers in their flagship hubs and speakers. These include the first and second-generation HomePod, Apple HomePod Mini, Apple TV 4K, Google Nest Hub speakers, Samsung SmartThings hubs, including some TVs and refrigerators, plus Amazon Echo speakers.

All Matter controllers need a tablet or smartphone application to facilitate adding and setting up automation. Therefore, there are some mobile operating systems and apps that act as Matter controllers.

It is also included in the latest Android and iOS versions. Some device companies have also announced that their smartphone applications will become Matter controllers.

Thread Border Router

Matter operates over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Thread. While Matter controllers are easily compatible with Ethernet and Wi-Fi devices, homeowners require Thread border routers for their Thread devices to connect and communicate with the Matter controller. Thankfully, some Matter controllers also work as Thread border routers.

Thread is a wireless, low-latency, low-power protocol that develops a self-healing mesh network. Therefore, the more devices a homeowner has on it, the better the reliability and range. That is because every device only has to communicate with the nearest Thread device.

It works on the 2.4GHz spectrum that the Zigbee protocol works on, made for low-powered devices like light bulbs, sensors, shades, and plugs. However, Thread is IPv6 based, meaning Thread devices can directly communicate to the internet, while Zigbee devices need a hub, mostly a proprietary one.

Thread border routers, like Matter controllers, are platform-agnostic, meaning homeowners can connect any Thread device to them. They also only need Wi-Fi and continuous power, with no hardwired internet connection. That means that they can be anything, unlike traditional hubs and bridges. They can be a fridge, smart light, television, etc.

What Smart Home Gadgets Will Work With Matter?

Aqara Smart Devices

Aqara's mission is to build seamless, automated smart home solutions that integrate several devices. 

Here are Aqara's smart home devices that can function as a bridge and communicate with other Matter-enabled devices:

• Aqara Hub M2 
• Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2
• Aqara Hub E1
• Aqara Camera Hub G3

Amazon Alexa-enabled Devices

Amazon made 17 Echo devices Matter-compatible in December 2022, including the entire current lineup. For now, they only facilitate Matter-over-Wi-Fi and only three of the initial Matter device types: smart switches, smart bulbs, and smart plugs.

Amazon updated its Echo fourth generation smart speaker in spring 2023, making it a Thread border router. It also expanded its Matter support to more devices like sensors and thermostats.

Google Home-enabled Devices

Every Google Nest display and speaker can be a Matter controller. There are also newer gadgets with built-in Thread, making them Thread border routers. These include the Nest Wi-Fi Pro, second-gen Nest Hub, and Nest Hub Max.

Apple Home Devices

Since the launch of iOS 16.1, Apple's Homepod Mini, HomePod, and 2021/2022 Apple TV 4K models are Matter controllers. The 2021 Apple TV 4K, 2022 Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet, and HomePod Mini are also Thread border routers.

Every Apple operating system; watch, TV, Mac, iPad, and HomePod software, are also Matter-certified.

Do I Still Need Hubs And Bridges To Connect Devices In My Smart Home?

Yes. Homeowners with devices that currently operate via a bridge must keep their hubs and bridges. That applies to things like Aqara sensors, Philip Hue lighting products, or Ikea smart home devices.

Can My Smart Home Devices Use Matter?

Matter is made to work with devices already in users' homes. Homeowners can include Matter compatibility to some Wi-Fi devices using over-the-counter firmware updates. They can also bridge Zigbee devices to Matter using existing hubs.

Is Matter Private And Secure?

The CSA says they use specific industry-standard encryption on their devices. All devices also go through authentication before joining the network. All messages on the network are also secured, with Matter supporting secure over-the-air updates.

There are also privacy principles that outline data privacy protections, like defining data-sharing reasons and minimizing how much data people can send.

Where To Buy Matter-Enabled Aqara Smart Home Devices

Aqara is a firm believer in the transformative power of Matter, recognizing its potential to shape the future of smart homes. We're committed to Matter, ensuring that Aqara hubs and future devices are Matter-certified. This translates to seamless integration with other Matter-enabled devices in your home, creating a truly unified smart home experience.

As an Aqara user, Matter brings several exciting possibilities:

• Wider Choice: Matter opens the door to a wider range of compatible devices, allowing you to expand your smart home ecosystem without limitations.
• Seamless Integration: Your Aqara devices will work flawlessly with other Matter-certified devices, creating a more unified and user-friendly smart home experience.
• Future-proof Investment: With Matter certification, your Aqara devices are ready to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving smart home landscape.    

Check out our website and Where To Buy page to know where you can get Matter-enabled smart home devices near you.