Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) recently listed a new Matter certification for SMARTWIZ+ art, which could be one of the first Matter-specified Thread Border Routers coming to market.
Owned by Japanese firm Disign Incorporated, SMARTWIZ+ is a Matter-focused device brand that previously introduced the SMARTWIZ+ Mirror, a smart home control display with Matter and Thread support. This new product takes an unusual path by integrating an OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) and Matter notification features.
SmartWiz＋ Mirror
A sleek, wall-mounted smart mirror with a touchscreen and gesture controls, offering Matter-enabled connectivity for seamless smart home integration.
A combo to bring elegance to Matter
Certificed with Matter 1.4 spec, SMARTWIZ+ art is a 7.3-inch, 127-ppi e-paper display that combines OTBR functionality, an art display, and a Matter notification receiver.
The OTBR, version 1.4, is highly integrated with Matter, according to its certification. Its primary device type is listed as 0x0091, the standard Thread Border Router Device Type in the Matter specification. This marks a departure from most existing TBR products on the market, which typically operate as standalone components relying on vendor services. In contrast, this design gives Matter more control over Thread network management.
Notification support is another key feature. The art frame can display alerts from Matter-enabled appliances like washing machines or robot vacuums, notifying users when tasks are complete. This is a standard Matter capability highlighted in version 1.3, designed to let TVs and other displays show notifications pushed from other Matter devices.
The compliance files also suggest it exposes an on/off light to Matter, indicating the display itself can be toggled within a Matter ecosystem.
According to the certification description, SMARTWIZ+ art can also display “specific texts or images in response to status changes,” offering further customization on top of the standard specification.
The product features a slim, flexible design and can be mounted on a wall or placed on a tabletop. It can be powered by USB-C or its built-in 3,000 mAh battery, according to the listing.
Potentials in Matter display devices
While Matter Casting and Video Player capabilities are already part of the Matter spec, real-world use cases remain limited. This leaves an opportunity to extend the whole-home smart experience into the entertainment space through TVs and smaller smart displays. We’ve already seen the seamless integration offered by platform-specific ecosystems like Google Nest and Apple TV and would expect similar experience with better interoperability.
The next major step for these devices will likely involve support for cameras, doorbells, and intercoms later this year. Displaying security notifications and live video feeds is an essential part of the smart home experience. We look forward to broader implementation by more vendors, especially smart display and TV makers beyond Amazon, such as Samsung and LG.
(Source and image: CSA, SMARTWIZ)
