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Matter

Matter is a new standard that aims to fix the smart home’s biggest problems: interoperability, reliability, security, and being easy to use. With Matter, your smart lights, smart lock, smart thermostat, and other smart devices will all work with together, easily. All the major smart home platforms are on board — Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings — and so are almost all the big device brands, from Philips Hue and Lutron Caseta to August, Ikea, and TP-Link. If you see the Matter logo on a product, you know it will work with any other Matter-compatible gadget in your home.

Kwikset takes a smart approach with its new smart lockKwikset takes a smart approach with its new smart lock
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Home Assistant reminds everyone that Z-Wave is still relevant.

The open-source smart home platform has joined the Z-Wave Alliance board to help shape the direction of the protocol alongside companies like Ring, ADT, and Assa Abloy.

Founder Paulus Schoutsen said that around one-tenth of Home Assistant households use Z-Wave, “accounting for an estimated 1.7 million Z-Wave devices.” They’re also seeing increased interest in the protocol, which has faced questions about its future since the arrival of Matter.

Home Assistant Founder Joins Z-Wave Alliance Board of Directors - Z-Wave Alliance

[Z-Wave Alliance]

Google TV Streamer review: smarter than your average set-top box

9

Verge Score

With more storage, a (slightly) faster processor, and some proper smart home chops, Google’s new take on the Chromecast is its best attempt at a streaming device yet.

David Pierce and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Apple now lets you add Matter devices to Apple Home without a hubApple now lets you add Matter devices to Apple Home without a hub
Eufy’s new smart lock may Matter to Apple Home usersEufy’s new smart lock may Matter to Apple Home users
IFA 2024: the biggest announcements and coolest gadgetsIFA 2024: the biggest announcements and coolest gadgets
LG finally gets serious about the smart homeLG finally gets serious about the smart home
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
This is the first smart lock to support ultra widebandThis is the first smart lock to support ultra wideband
After ditching August, Assa Abloy snaps up another smart lock startupAfter ditching August, Assa Abloy snaps up another smart lock startup
Ikea’s smart home hub now supports MatterIkea’s smart home hub now supports Matter
Nanoleaf launches a smart switch after eight years of tryingNanoleaf launches a smart switch after eight years of trying
Flic is ready to control all your Matter devicesFlic is ready to control all your Matter devices
Tado’s Matter-compliant heating products are coming to the UKTado’s Matter-compliant heating products are coming to the UK
Adaptive Lighting is coming to Matter smart lights in Apple HomeAdaptive Lighting is coming to Matter smart lights in Apple Home
The newest Roomba can wash its own mop and will work with MatterThe newest Roomba can wash its own mop and will work with Matter
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
If your Philips Hue bulbs have been acting wonky, don’t worry there’s a fix coming.

Apparently, the company messed up something with its Matter implementation, causing some lights to randomly turn up to full brightness. But they’ve identified the problem, and an update should be rolling out this week.

Why your Philips Hue bulb is randomly setting itself to 100 percent brightness

Sean Hollister
Why your Philips Hue bulb is randomly setting itself to 100 percent brightnessWhy your Philips Hue bulb is randomly setting itself to 100 percent brightness
A major SmartThings update brings support for appliances, robot vacuums, and more through MatterA major SmartThings update brings support for appliances, robot vacuums, and more through Matter
These smart lights could solve the kitchen cabinet problemThese smart lights could solve the kitchen cabinet problem
SwitchBot’s cheap universal remote can control your smart home, tooSwitchBot’s cheap universal remote can control your smart home, too
The future of the smart kitchen: robots, apps, and AI, oh my!The future of the smart kitchen: robots, apps, and AI, oh my!
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Tony Fadell is as “excited as a kid at Christmas” about Thread in Macs and iPads.

He shared The Verge’s article about the smart home protocol appearing in Apple devices across social media this week. Fadell developed Thread for the Nest Thermostat over a decade ago and says Apple’s move “reminds me how long deep tech takes for broad adoption. But, when it’s the right thing, it’s the right thing.”

Tony Fadell on LinkedIn: There’s a secret smart home radio in your new Mac | 12 comments

[LinkedIn]

There’s a secret smart home radio in your new MacThere’s a secret smart home radio in your new Mac
Aqara’s new smart outlet can trigger scenes based on power usageAqara’s new smart outlet can trigger scenes based on power usage
Google opens up its smart home to everyone and will make Google TVs home hubsGoogle opens up its smart home to everyone and will make Google TVs home hubs
Tado adds Matter to new smart heating rangeTado adds Matter to new smart heating range
Amazon’s Matter Casting is shaping up so nicely, I want to use it everywhereAmazon’s Matter Casting is shaping up so nicely, I want to use it everywhere
Matter is now racing ahead, but the platforms are holding it backMatter is now racing ahead, but the platforms are holding it back
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Aqara’s M3 hub arrives.

The latest gadget from the smart home company is a multi-protocol Matter powerhouse, packing Thread, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IR control.

The $130 M3 hub was announced at CES and launches today. It’s one of the first Matter controllers from a company not called Amazon, Apple, Google, or Samsung.

I’ve been testing it for the last week and have a review coming soon.

The Aqara M3 Hub is the company’s first Matter Controller.
The Aqara M3 Hub is the company’s first Matter Controller.
Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Yale’s inexpensive new retrofit lock will work with Matter-over-ThreadYale’s inexpensive new retrofit lock will work with Matter-over-Thread
Aqara’s new motion sensor works with Matter and Thread, but that means problemsAqara’s new motion sensor works with Matter and Thread, but that means problems
Lifx launches two new 1,600-lumen bulbs that work with MatterLifx launches two new 1,600-lumen bulbs that work with Matter
We’re closer to a cybersecurity standard for smart home devicesWe’re closer to a cybersecurity standard for smart home devices
Smart home hubs: what they are and why you need one

If you’re planning a truly smart home, then you’re going to need a smart hub. Here’s what you need to know.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
SwitchBot’s robot hand to unlock your door gets a big upgradeSwitchBot’s robot hand to unlock your door gets a big upgrade
My smart kitchen: the good, the bad, and the future

When The Verge’s smart home reporter got the chance to design her kitchen, she went all in on smart connected appliances.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Ikea begins beta-testing Matter on its Dirigera hubIkea begins beta-testing Matter on its Dirigera hub
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Smart lighting stalwart Lifx reemerges with a new line of outdoor lightsSmart lighting stalwart Lifx reemerges with a new line of outdoor lights
Aqara kick-starts its first Matter-over-Thread smart lock with a promise of Home Key supportAqara kick-starts its first Matter-over-Thread smart lock with a promise of Home Key support
The LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 8 is nearly half offThe LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 8 is nearly half off

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