Samsung Matters
Samsung announced a complete adoption of Matter across its Galaxy devices, TVs, Family Hub appliances, and SmartThings hubs. The company confirmed the app will be fully Matter-enabled, and that all existing hubs will adopt the standard, including the newer ones made by Aeotec. Samsung also said it will build SmartThings hubs into its TVs and Family Hub fridges – meaning, in theory, that there should be no need for a separate SmartThings dedicated hub.
The NPD Take:
- Matter-compatible SmartThings would mean that consumers can add devices that previously could not connect to the SmartThings app or hub, opening up a much broader selection of smart home possibilities for those consumers who have stayed with SmartThings. At some point in time, SmartThings was the best option for connecting Zigbee and Z-Wave devices. Today, however, more devices have switched over to Wi-Fi, and there are many alternative hubs like the newer Amazon Echo, with Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi (but no Z-Wave).
Wyze Rolls Out More New Things
Wyze is back at it again with a string of new product launches. Among them is the Wyze Lamp Socket, which first and foremost is positioned as a way to power up a Wyze Cam v3 anywhere there is a light fixture – like outdoors. The socket and the Wyze Cam v3 also work together to make existing light bulbs “smart” by adding motion activation and the ability to automatically turn lights on at sunset and off at sunrise. This $45.99 device starts shipping in December. Wyze also launched a new doorbell, some light bulbs, a light switch, and a solar panel.
The NPD Take:
- Sure, this is a great addition for those consumers who want to use their Wyze Cam v3 outdoors. Note, though, the way this works is that there is still a wire connecting the socket to the camera, so there are visible wires – a less than elegant solution for those who are concerned with elegance (though still more elegant than using an extension cord, for example). Also, at $46…this device is $10 more than the Wyze Cam v3 itself.