Up to now, the Matter protocol has mainly concerned light bulbs, speakers and connected cameras. — AFP Relaxnews
The next update of Matter, the universal standard for connected objects, will make a larger number of device types compatible. It will also bring several improvements regarding to everyday energy and water management.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has just announced a new update to Matter (1.3), its protocol designed to guarantee the interoperability of connected objects. All Matter-stamped devices can operate in any connected environment, via a single application, regardless of the smartphone or tablet used. The idea behind Matter is to enable everyone to manage all their connected objects on a daily basis, whatever brand they are, without having to depend on a specific technology or operating system.
With this new update, Matter will support new types of connected everyday appliances, such as ovens and microwaves, cooktops, extractor hoods and tumble dryers. All that remains now is for manufacturers to integrate, test and roll out the new functionalities before launching their new products on the market.
But the most significant aspect of this latest update concerns energy management, now at the heart of the project. Consumers will be able to get a better understanding of which appliances consume the most energy. This information will cover both instantaneous power consumption and energy consumption over time.
As far as electric vehicle charging is concerned, Matter will offer the possibility of manually starting or stopping charging, adjusting the charging rate or specifying the number of kilometers of range to be added, all while letting the electric vehicle supply equipment activate it at the cheapest times. Finally, support for leak detectors, rain sensors and controllable water valves promises to deliver a new level of water monitoring and management.
Google, Apple, Amazon and Samsung are all founding members of Matter. This standard is also supported by the overwhelming majority of manufacturers, from Ikea to LG and Siemens, and works via Ethernet, WiFi or Bluetooth. – AFP Relaxnews
