The massive networks of “smart objects” that currently drive the majority of our digitally connected lives, known as the Internet of Things, are a step closer to becoming a unified ecosystem. As per the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) new smart home testing and compatibility certification known as the Matter badge has now been accepted by Google Home, Apple’s HomeKit, and Samsung’s SmartThings. This certification will allow a greater number of smart devices to connect to your home network.
The CSA is an alliance of digital businesses and researchers working to create open, universal standards for linked technologies and smart products.
The Alexa-enabled smart home system from Amazon has not yet been opted in.
The Matter badge allows consumer products to avoid the prior, frequently time-consuming procedure of individual testing and certification with each Big Tech ecosystem by using a single standards body. On the journey to a universal connectivity standard, the CSA introduced the Matter standard in 2022 with the goal of reimagining smart device interoperability. It uses several of the current connection technologies (ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Thread) to link products locally. To design the system, the Build with Matter effort brought together Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, LG, and smart home companies like Lutron, iRobot, Signify (Philips Hue), and Ikea.
Although many of the main smart home suppliers indicated their support following the first announcement, none had completely phased out their separate testing requirements. The Matter certification and recertification process has been sluggish to proceed in the years since. The CSA with the statement today indicates progress its made in its efforts to streamline and simplify its universal certifications going forward.