Subj : Matter's first update won't light up your smart home, but the nex
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Fri May 19 2023 06:15:03

Matter's first update won't light up your smart home, but the next one might

Date:
Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Description:
Currently rolling out, Matter 1.1 doesn't address much but may instead be a 
setup for the future.

FULL STORY
======================================================================

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) is rolling out the first major 
update to the Matter standard . Well, it's supposed to be a major update, but 
it's more like a minor patch. 

Matter 1.1, as its called, won't add any new new device types to the support 
list, nor will there be any major changes to the individual platforms like 
Apple HomeKit . The CSA, instead, is making three relatively small changes 
affecting both companies and users alike, and those changes mostly affect the 
former. 

Change number one is it is now easier for smart home manufacturers to get 
started with Matter. The standards specifications reportedly have been made 
clearer allowing for better guidance in growing support for new device types. 
The CSA has also made it easier for developers to certify their products so 
they can get into the hands of customers faster. 

Finally, Matter 1.1 will be fixing a bug affecting Intermittently Connected 
Devices or ICD, which are typically battery-powered gadgets like motion 
sensors and door locks. Moving forward, it will be less likely an ICD will be 
reported as offline whenever a user or platform interacts with it. But, as 
far we understand the CSA, the bug isnt completely gone. The error can still 
happen. 

And thats pretty much it for Matter 1.1. Two developer-centric changes and 
one for the users that doesnt solve the problem at all. It just lowers the 
chance of the error occurring. Analysis: the hype is gone 

This update is disappointing, to say the least. Its been seven months since 
Matter officially launched, and its pretty safe to say the hype surrounding 
the standard has effectively died. Roll out, too, has been slow. Google, for 
example, has only recently added Matter support to its Google Home app on iOS 
.. And it took Amazon nearly four months to finally roll out Matter to its 
Echo lineup . 

Plus, multi-admin control is still a problem, according to The Verge . It 
isnt easy to switch your gadget from one platform to another if its already 
connected to one, for instance. And that's something that doesnt make any 
sense because the whole point of Matter  its reason for existence  is to have 
better interoperability between smart home platforms. 

It appears the CSA is allowing smart home brands to update their individual 
platforms at their own discretion. The question is: when are they going to be 
updating? In all honesty, who knows? 

The CSA states its going to remain committed to its goal of a twice-yearly 
release cycle for future updates. Its currently working on the next version 
of Matter, bringing in new features and device type support. We contacted the 
CSA for more information on Matter 1.2, as well call it. This story will be 
updated at a later time. 

If you want to know what works with the standard, check out TechRadars list 
of the smart home devices that play nice with Matter .



======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/news/matters-first-update-wont-light-up-your-smart-h
ome-but-the-next-one-might


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
 * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)

.