Do you own a Google Nest speaker or display? If so, you're ready for Matter, the long-awaited smart home standard that aims to bridge the gap between ecosystems like Amazon's Alexa, Google Home, and Apple's HomeKit.
Google has long promised that its Nest smart gadgets will be able to communicate with and control forthcoming Matter products. Google revealed in October which of its speakers and displays will link Matter-enabled smart devices, as well as which Nest products would allow Matter gadgets to connect to the internet.According to a Google spokesman, the only thing standing between those Nest devices and Matter compatibility is a software update, which will begin rolling out today. The update should automatically install.
As of today, the following Google Nest speakers, displays, and routers may serve as Matter hubs: the Nest Mini, Nest Audio, first- and second-generation Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, and the newly announced Nest Wifi Pro. Furthermore, the second-generation Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, and Nest Wifi Pro may function as Thread border routers, connecting Matter-enabled devices to the internet via their built-in Thread radios.
In addition to adding Matter compatibility to its Nest speakers and screens, Google said it has enabled Matter for Android's Fast Pair functionality, which should make connecting Matter devices to the Google Home app and a user's home network easier.
In the future, Google says it's collaborating with Samsung SmartThings on a "smoother" version of Matter's Multi-Admin capability, which enables cross-platform control of Matter devices.
Meanwhile, Google has announced that a Matter-enabled version of the Google Home app for iOS will be available in 2023. Since the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) officially launched the smart home standard last month, there has been a frenzy of Matter-related announcements, with a procession of ecosystems and smart device makers putting out their Matter ambitions.
Apple included Matter compatibility to iOS 16.1 in October, and Amazon plans to update 17 of its Echo devices with Matter over Wi-Fi support this month. Matter, formerly Project CHIP, is an IP-based technology that is interoperable with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread.
Some of the largest brands in the smart home business, including Amazon, Google, Signify (owner of the Philips Hue smart lighting brand), and Samsung's SmartThings, have backed Matter.
Since the CSA certified the Matter standard in the autumn, a trickle of Matter-enabled products have entered the market, with many more expected next year.
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