Matter now works on Android and Google Nest devices: here’s what you need to know
The Matter standard for smart home devices now works on Android phones and Nest devices. Google states that the update will be rolled out automatically. Matter brings important benefits to users of smart home products. We explain.
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Matter for Android and Nest
Last fall we wrote that version 1.0 of the Matter standard has been proposed. Matter contains a large package of agreements that will bring more order to the industry of smart home devices. New features are also introduced that make smart devices a lot more convenient. All major tech companies in the smartphone industry have had their say in developing the standard.
It is now up to app makers and smarhome device manufacturers to apply Matter to their products and services. In a blog post, Google states that Matter is supported on all Nest devices and Android phones.
Impact on Android and Nest
Every Nest speaker, every Nest Hub, the Nest Audio and Nest Wifi Pro all work as a central point to control Matter devices. Even the original Google Home speaker is among the supported devices. Matter devices are interconnected via Wi-Fi and Thread. The Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Hub Max and the Nest Hub (gen 2) all serve as a so-called Thread border router. That is a device that forms a network for threaded devices via WiFi.
Furthermore, Google will also improve the Fast Pair function on Android. You already use to quickly pair bluetooth device with your phone. From now on, a notification can also appear on your phone when you want to set up a smart home device that supports Matter.
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What does the future bring?
The ability to quickly set up devices is one of the many features that are possible with Matter. In the long term, we also expect that smart home devices will work better together, making more automations available to users.
Google also announced that Matter’s Multi-Admin feature will work with Google Home and Samsung SmartThings. Thanks to Multi-Admin you can immediately use all devices that you have set up in Google Home in SmartTings and vice versa. At least if the user gives permission for this.
Update or new device
But before you can really experience the benefits of Matter, you now have to wait for smart home manufacturers to update their devices with Matter. That will not happen with the majority of smart home products, George Yianni, the CTO of Philips Hue, recently claimed in an interview with Androidworld.
“We have made our products future-proof like no other, so that lamps that are 10 years old still have new functions. The majority of manufacturers will have to make new hardware that works with Matter. Matter is basically a software update, but there is hardware requirements are involved.
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Yianni discussed with us all the benefits of Matter and the challenges that still remain for the future. What do you expect from the Matter standard? Do you have devices in your home that receive the update? Let us know in the comments.
