Matter - Your Questions Answered
What is Matter?
Matter is a worldwide, free use standard, that facilitates secure and direct communication between 'Internet of Things' (IoT) devices from different manufacturers, without the need for an internet connection. The Matter communication protocol was built in collaboration by competing companies; including Apple, Google, Samsung, and Amazon, to name only a few. It is now maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance and receives significant updates twice annually, introducing new product types to the protocol, and improving interoperability between products. The up to date list Matter product types can be found here.
Why does it Matter?
For so many reasons, but lets focus on the 3 main benefits I see for the end user:
IoT devices would typically need to be set-up with their own app, and that app would need to be kept for ongoing use and updates. With a growing number of devices in homes, the increasing number of apps required was causing greater confusion and frustration; the opposite of the intended purpose of the technology. Matter handles these aspects as part of its functionality, so no additional apps should* be required. The should* is for edge cases, where certain devices are capable of doing more than Matter is currently equipped to handle. This isn’t typical, but for a ‘power user’ with a lot of devices and complex automations, it may come up.
No more searching for the specific device that will 'Work with HomeKit' for Apple users, or 'Works with SmartThings' for Samsung users. Not only can Matter devices work with all of the major IoT control platforms: Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon; they can work with all of them at the same time. There is no problem with one person using an iPhone, and another using an Android device; both will communicate with a Matter system simultaneously, provided both devices have a compatible hub to talk to (more on that below). This also creates greater flexibility in future handheld device choices, should someone decide to 'switch teams'. Many do not want to feel further locked into one companies ecosystem, understandably.
No internet connection is required. Most of us are fortunate enough to have access to the internet, but there are major benefits to this feature regardless. Cloud (internet) based communication relies on information reaching outside the home, then back in again, which is far slower than direct communication. This issue becomes exacerbated in circumstances where there is no hard-wired internet connection, which is a growing theme with the advent of technologies such as Starlink, and our comparatively poor internet infrastructure in Australia. The reality is nobody wants to press a light switch as they enter a room and continue to walk around in darkness while the technology catches up with them. We have become accustomed to expecting these things to happen instantly, and technology needs to keep up, or it isn't fit for purpose.
How do I use Matter?
If you have an iOS device or Android device with up to date firmware, you already have your primary user interface sorted. Once everything is set up, your favourite voice assistant will also work with your Matter ecosystem seamlessly, if you’re someone that likes to use voice commands.
The next component is your home network, this is the communication highway for your devices. While yes, internet is not required, you do still need a home network with Wi-Fi. Depending on the number of devices you have, or plan on having, you may need a more robust Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi 6 is capable of sending and receiving from more devices simultaneously, so it may be a necessary upgrade at some point, but if you're just dipping your toes in the water with a few devices, your existing Wi-Fi network should do the trick.
Third item on the list is your control hub. This is the product that your iOS or Android device communicates through. Think of it as a translator; your handheld device is talking Apple, or Android, and the control hub is listening to that and translating it to Matter for the devices you’re controlling. It will also allow you to set up automations, and schedules, to suit your typical uses. For a list of current devices that can act as a control hub, refer to the website of your handheld device’s manufacturer (links below); you may be surprised to find you already have one. Control hubs are built into some of the most common home devices from each manufacturer.
The final piece of the puzzle is the Matter device. Each device will come with a set of instructions to get it powered up (links below). Once it's powered up you can add the IoT device on your chosen handheld control device, and you're up and running.
Apple: Control Hubs | Connecting Devices
Google Control Hubs | Connecting Devices
Amazon Control Hubs | Connecting Devices
Samsung Control Hubs | Connecting Devices