Matter update 1.1 doesn’t add any new device types, which improves support for battery-powered devices but also makes it easier for developers to create Matter-compatible devices. In context, this update doesn’t fix the lack of support for some key device types, such as security cameras, that are not supported by the Matter standard.
This is a standard that allows smart home devices from different companies to work together, but after the launch, it rapidly grew but has been slowing down in recent months, and it doesn’t even have many security cameras that support Matter. Companies may add new device support with future updates, but it’s still unclear when more security cameras will support Matter.
Matter to Improve Smart Home Connectivity Standard
This will make it easier for different devices to work together and launched officially last year in the fall, improving the smart home device experience across platforms. The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), which includes Apple and developers, includes changes and improvements for developers and end-users to get started with Matter and complete certification.
Companies, including Amazon and Google, have been slow to adopt the Matter Standard. However, Apple has announced that it will add Matter support with its more popular devices, which are mostly to be announced more HomeKit devices, and increased Matter Support at WWDC 2023. There is a significant gap in the smart home ecosystem, as there is currently a lack of support for security cameras. Until more devices are added, users can use HomeKit-enabled security cameras.
Apart from changes and improvements to make it easier for developers to get started with Matter and complete certification, which means end-users have a better experience with battery-powered devices, CSA shared a detailed report about Matter 1.1, where they said it is the result of collective efforts of hundreds of companies and individuals to improve the patch forward for developers and new users’ experience.
What’s New with the Matter 1.1.
The company said to only release two major updates twice a year. The first version delivers, and the next version will be released later this year.
- Easier for device makers and developers to get started with Matter and easier for different devices to work together.
- Easier to certify products and get them to users faster.
- Enhanced battery life for battery-operated devices.
- Devices will now report as offline less often, making it easier for developers to optimize their products and create a better user experience.
- The device now includes contacts, motion, and temperature sensors, as well as door locks and switches.
- There are more than 1,135 devices with over 17,991 downloads of the specification, which is a healthy sign for Matter, certified by CSA.
- Easier for developers to understand and use the specifications. CSA has taken feedback from members and early developers to roll out the 1.1.
- Improved guidance for contributing support for new devices, which includes clarification and clean-up of the specification.
- Improved testing and automation, which makes it easier for developers to contribute support for new devices and testing automation to improve getting product certification. There is also an improved Authorized Testing Laboratories (ATLs).
