Amazon Rolls Out Matter
In December, Amazon plans to begin upgrading select Echo devices to Matter, the new smart home standard focused on interoperability. 17 Echo devices will see the OTA update which will cover three device types – smart plugs, smart bulbs, and smart switches. The device maker also announced that Matter device makers will need to go through Amazon’s Works With Alexa program to obtain the WWA badge to place on product pages (noting that the device is certified). Amazon also announced a partnership with Samsung SmartThings that will streamline Matter set up and porting from one device platform to another.
The NPD Take:
- The rollout of Matter will be slower than many had hoped. However, Amazon is starting with its most popular devices accounting for millions of user households.
- While the compatible product categories are narrow, Amazon’s willingness to partner with Samsung to create a frictionless experience for users is an example of the companies’ commitment to the specification.
- Consumers will have to be patient with the rollout timing, but the cooperation so far among participating companies is promising.
Aqara Introduces A New Controller
The Aqara Cube T1 Pro – an update of Aqara’s original Cube Controller – is a new smart home remote controller that uses voice control and gestures. The cube is programmable, so voice commands and movements of the cube can trigger various actions and scenes (turning the cube on its side can turn on connected lighting, for instance). Like all Aqara devices, the Cube requires an Aqara Hub and it works over Zigbee 3.0 for faster response time and better reliability. Aqara says the Cube T1 Pro is expected to support Matter via the Aqara hub via an OTA update.
The NPD Take:
- The Aqara Cube T1 Pro provides smart home device owners a unique way to interact with their devices. The inclusion of gesture control to the device, in addition to voice, will help users customize their control of the smart home.
- The Cube will also help users of differing abilities to control their home’s devices as a clear secondary focus of this product is accessibility.