What is Matter？
2022-07-19
Matter is a universal networking protocol that lets devices work across all major smart home platforms. It is a new smart home interoperability protocol launched as a joint effort by a handful of the industry's biggest players. Over 170 companies are involved, with Apple, Samsung, Amazon, Google and the Zigbee Alliance being the most prominent names. If you buy a smart bulb, for example, you shouldn’t have to check if it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit — as long as it supports Matter, you’re good to go.
More than this, Matter devices can form a mesh network in which connecting to the cloud is optional, rather than mandatory. Matter is an IP-based technology, but essential smart home functions (say, turning lights on and off) should work regardless of whether accessories can reach the internet, or even whether you have a dedicated hub or bridge. You do need the internet and a Matter hub to control your home remotely. If you’re at home however, you should be able to control and update Matter accessories with as little as your phone.
Matter is a universal networking protocol
that lets devices work across
all major smart home platforms.
Mesh functions are possible because Matter operates as an application layer on top of technologies like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. Of these, Thread is the most important — it’s a Zigbee-based wireless protocol that smart home devices must specifically support, but is significantly less power-hungry than Wi-Fi, while still offering the capacity to extend coverage and make it more reliable. Every Thread product operates as its own “border router” to which other Thread accessories connect without burdening your Wi-Fi network. With the technology’s low power demands, it can be used in just about anything.
More than this, Matter devices can form a mesh network in which connecting to the cloud is optional, rather than mandatory. Matter is an IP-based technology, but essential smart home functions (say, turning lights on and off) should work regardless of whether accessories can reach the internet, or even whether you have a dedicated hub or bridge. You do need the internet and a Matter hub to control your home remotely. If you’re at home however, you should be able to control and update Matter accessories with as little as your phone.
Matter is a universal networking protocol
that lets devices work across
all major smart home platforms.
Mesh functions are possible because Matter operates as an application layer on top of technologies like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. Of these, Thread is the most important — it’s a Zigbee-based wireless protocol that smart home devices must specifically support, but is significantly less power-hungry than Wi-Fi, while still offering the capacity to extend coverage and make it more reliable. Every Thread product operates as its own “border router” to which other Thread accessories connect without burdening your Wi-Fi network. With the technology’s low power demands, it can be used in just about anything.
