The connected home is gradually becoming simpler. After the arrival, a few weeks ago, of version 1.0 of the Matter protocol, Google began to make its ecosystem of devices compatible with the new standard. Android, Nest and Google Home devices have just received an update allowing them to control compatible devices, Google has announced.
The Google ecosystem simplifies home automation
Concretely, this means that pairing smart bulbs, presence detectors or surveillance cameras should be easier if you have Google devices in your home. The Nest Mini, Audio, Hub, Hub Max, Wifi and Google Home devices will be able to serve as a Matter hub and thus centralize the home automation control of your home. The Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Hub Max and Nest Hub (2nd gen) can also act as Thread routers (to create a mesh network) to add a maximum of connected objects to its network, whatever the protocol used. Regarding Android phones, Matter compatibility is ensured from version 8.1 and as long as Google Play services 22.48.14 (or higher) are present.
Of course, since Matter is thought of as a universal protocol, once a gadget is connected to the network, it becomes possible to control it from any device, whether Apple, Samsung, Google, Amazon or other. Pairing compatible devices should also be easier since, if a Matter device is detected by your Android mobile, a small pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to add it to your home network. The process is exactly the same as for pairing a Bluetooth headset in Fast Pair.
More than waiting for Matter gadgets
Google isn’t the first company to add Matter support to its devices. Since iOS 16.2, iPhones are also compatible with Matter and Amazon has also put the package on the support of the universal protocol.
The only missing link for the realization of a fully interoperable connected home? Matter connected objects. While Apple, Google, Amazon and others have been quick to turn their devices into Matter remotes, wearables that support the protocol are still rare. Except for a few Eve products, there are not many Matter-compatible home automation gadgets at the moment. Many manufacturers are committed, but the updates are slow to arrive for the moment.