Project CHIP already has a new name and it is the official one. From now on, the new standard that companies like Amazon, Google, Apple and others within the alliance have been working on Zigbee will be known as Matter. So when you go to buy future devices for the connected home, you will be interested in including it to guarantee a better user experience among other advantages.
Project CHIP is now Matter
For several months now we have known that the main companies dedicated to offering solutions for the connected home had created an alliance. The intention of this union was none other than to bring some order to this little chaos that is the connected home. Because currently, unless you have some experience and knowledge, setting up a smart home can be a somewhat complex task where a bad decision regarding the standards to use or the ecosystem could mean double spending if you want to change, for example, the voice assistant you want to use.
It was with this idea always in mind that Project CHIP (Connected Home over Internet Protocol) was born, an initiative whose final objective was to guarantee maximum compatibility and security of smart devices for the connected home through a new standard based on IP. and running on technologies such as WiFi, Thread, Bluetooth LE, etc.
Now we know the final name of the new standard: Matter. This is how what we knew so far as CHIP will be called and its logo will be a kind of three arrows pointing to the center. A very representative image of the standard's promise, which is none other than bringing together different products around the same goal: interoperability. In order not to have to resort to solutions such as Homebridge to extend the HomeKit ecosystem for example.
So now you know, although it will still be a few months before the first Matter devices start to arrive, in the future it is what you should look for when you buy new smart lights, connected locks, thermostats, etc.
The keys to Matter, the new standard for the connected home
With all this, the fundamental aspects of Matter could be said to be the following:
- Simplicity: The idea is that using devices compatible with the new standard does not pose any type of problem for the user and, in addition, it is easy for the user to always choose the product that interests them the most, regardless of the brand, as long as it is compatible with the standard.
- Interoperability: the joint work between different industry players involved in the creation of the digital home is reflected in a greater ability for different devices from different manufacturers to work together
- Reliability: will be products that guarantee connectivity
- Safety: Guaranteeing developers and users that the use of these devices within the home is safe is essential for Matter, because it is aware of the importance now that we are not only talking about lights that can be controlled remotely but also locks, surveillance cameras, etc.
- Flexibility: today you may be using an ecosystem like HomeKit, but tomorrow you might be interested in making the leap to Alexa or Google Assistant. Matter wants you to always enjoy the flexibility of being able to choose at any time which solution interests you or is most beneficial
When will the first Matter devices be ready?
With the name already defined, the first Matter products are expected to arrive by the end of the year if all goes well. It must also be remembered that many of the current devices will be able to work within this new standard through the use of bridges. A less attractive solution, but interesting for all those who have already made a significant investment in connected devices.