Skip to main content

Matter smart home standard is officially available

After running into a few roadblocks, Matter is officially here. Announced by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the Matter certification program is now live, allowing manufacturers to bring the tech to their products and release them on an expedited timeline.

Matter is big news in the smart home community, as it will serve as a universal framework that allows different ecosystems to interact with each other. For example, your Alexa-enabled devices will be able to use Matter to communicate with your Apple HomeKit products. Its goal is to streamline the setup process for smart home devices and build an ecosystem that’s easy to use while bringing together products and software from Samsung, Google, Apple, and over 280 other collaborators.

The official Manner banner released by the CSA with a multicolored background and Matter logo.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are a lot of fancy innovations powering Matter, but at its core, Matter relies on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread to create a local connection between all your smart home products. It then allows these gadgets to communicate with each other, resulting in streamlined setup and operation. There’s also no need for an internet connection to operate products using Matter, adding an extra layer of security and privacy.

Recommended Videos

Matter has only just gone live, but many manufacturers have been dabbling with an early access version of the technology — and we could see the first commercial products using Matter go live within the next few months. The CSA is holding a big event on November 3, which should provide more details about Matter and possibly show off the first real products that incorporate the tech.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Right now, Matter will be limited to use in smart bulbs, smart plugs, smart switches, smart sensors, and a few other product lines. Eventually, the CSA will roll out support for more common devices, such as smart locks and cameras.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
These buttons and dials offer a unique way to access your smart home
The Flic Smart Button on a table.

One of the major pain points of the modern smart home is its digital nature. Whether it’s controlling your smart lights, robot vacuum, smart lock, or thermostat, there’s a good chance you’re using a smartphone for most of your interactions. That makes it less than ideal for other members of the household -- or even guests -- to make changes to your setup. This is where Flic comes into play, as the company offers a lineup of physical buttons and dials so everyone can use your favorite smart devices without the need for a digital interface.

I’ve been testing out both the Flic Smart Buttons and Flic Twist, and while they lack certain functionalities, they’re bound to be a fun addition to most smart homes. That’s especially true if you use Alexa or HomeKit, as both platforms work with the innovative smart buttons.
The Flic app makes setup a breeze

Read more
This smart display alternative can now use AI to plan all your meals
The Skylight Cal Max installed on a wall.

Skylight is a smart home company that produces a variety of smart display alternatives, such as the Skylight Cal Max. These serve as a central hub for all your daily planning -- they’re primarily used as a digital calendar, but you can also use them to track chores, make lists, or meal prep. That last aspect just became much more exciting, as Skylight is officially introducing Sidekick, an AI-powered assistant that can plan all your meals in just a few minutes.

Sidekick is a new AI feature for Skylight devices. It’s capable of generating personalized recipes based on your budget, family size, and dietary restrictions, and it’ll even create a shopping list and load up step-by-step cooking instructions. Skylight hopes the new feature will save families 10 hours every month, as they’ll no longer need to worry about the logistics surrounding meal prep.

Read more
Echo Show 21 vs. Echo Show 10: Is the bigger smart display better?
The Echo Show 10 on a kitchen counter.

The Echo Show 21 is the newest member of the Echo Show family, offering a massive 21-inch display and a powerful audio system to match. But how does it stack up to the existing Echo Show 10? Aside from its large touchscreen, is there a big difference between these two smart displays? More importantly, which one is better for your smart home?

From pricing and design to display and available features, here’s a closer look at the new Echo Show 21 and Echo Show 10 to help you decide which to purchase.
Pricing and design

Read more