After spending a year replacing every wall switch in his home with Wi-Fi-enabled smart switches, one homeowner weighs the true costs, unexpected labor, and long-term benefits of the grand DIY smart home project.
The Zemismart M1 Hub Pro tries to be a Matter bridge, Zigbee gateway, Thread controller, and IR blaster all at once, but falls short. Thread support is frustrating, IR devices aren’t bridged into Matter, and Tuya remains a weak point. Most users should look elsewhere.
LIFX has kicked off a public beta enabling its current-generation Matter-compatible smart lights to switch from Wi-Fi to Matter-over-Thread via a simple firmware update.
Apple’s recent open-source code contributions to Matter’s OpenWrt integration have sparked speculation that the tech giant could be quietly laying the groundwork to re-enter the home router market.
Aqara has expanded its H1 full-color lighting lineup in China with new downlights and spotlights, bringing dual Zigbee and Matter-over-Thread connectivity to built-in ceiling illumination.
SwitchBot's Lock Vision Pro brings multi-biometric entry and native Matter support to a secure deadbolt replacement.
Aqara shows how Matter cameras should move forward.
TCL Home Security has launched the D2 Pro Matter, an upgraded smart lock that adds Matter-over-Thread and local control modes to its contactless palm vein recognition system for $199.99.
Virtual devices can fill some surprising gaps between Matter ecosystems.
Athom has launched two dedicated apps for Homey, bringing official integration, control, and Flow automation to Zigbee and Matter-based LEDVANCE SMART+ and OSRAM SMART+ lighting and plugs.
The Open Home Foundation’s ESPHome platform has gained its first official hardware offering: a snap-apart modular starter kit built by Apollo Automation that packs an ESP32-C6 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread support.
Govee’s new Strip Light 2 combines RGBWWIC 5-in-1 LEDs, LuminBlend+ color management, and Matter compatibility across four customizable lengths starting at $49.99.
Owl Home’s multi-sensor Owl Wired smoke and CO alarm has secured Matter 1.5 certification, paving the way for a free firmware update that will bring comprehensive environmental and occupancy data to major smart home platforms.
While Matter has become a mandatory checklist item for smart plugs, lighting, locks, and thermostats, there are still a few tech categories where skipping the protocol makes sense.
Your Thread network just gets better with the new Nest firmware.
The SwitchBot RGBICWW Ceiling Light is an affordable Matter-over-Wi-Fi smart light with solid reliability and adequate brightness — but cheap build quality, awkward installation, limited effects, and buggy out-of-box Matter support hold it back.
Espressif’s new open-source ESP RainMaker Neo platform gives smaller smart home device makers a complete, AWS-backed cloud, app, and fleet management foundation.
New filings could bring deeper fixes to IKEA’s battery-powered Matter lineup.
SwitchBot’s budget-friendly presence sensor brings reliable mmWave detection and Matter compatibility to every room, making whole-home automation attainable without breaking the bank.
Espressif brings Aliro digital keys to its Matter-over-Thread lock platform.