The Connectivity Standards Alliance has unveiled the Matter 1.3 Specification, marking a significant upgrade with new functionalities aimed at enhancing smart home and IoT devices. This update introduces features that promote better management of energy and water, support for electric vehicle chargers, and the inclusion of major new appliances.
Key advancements in Matter 1.3 include:
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Energy Management: The new specification enables devices across all categories to provide detailed reports on energy usage, including real-time data on power, voltage, and current. This allows consumers to monitor and manage their energy consumption more effectively, potentially reducing costs and environmental impact.
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Electric Vehicle Charging: Matter 1.3 incorporates features for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), improving how electric vehicles are charged. It offers users the flexibility to control charging schedules, adjust power settings, and optimize energy usage based on cost and carbon footprint considerations.
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Water Management: The update adds support for devices that detect leaks and freezes, control water valves, and sense rain. These tools aim to give homeowners more control over water usage and protection against common household issues like leaks and frozen pipes.
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New Appliance Types: Matter 1.3 broadens its support to include a variety of major appliances. New additions include microwave ovens with features to control cooking modes and times, ovens with settings for different cooking methods, and cooktops that allow for precise temperature control. Additionally, laundry dryers have been added, complementing the previously supported washers, with functionalities tailored to enhance user convenience and safety.
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Enhanced Media Device Interactions: The specification also enhances features for media devices, such as TVs and media players, with improvements in Matter Casting, message integration, and more interactive functionalities.
Overall, Matter 1.3 is designed to foster greater interoperability, security, and usability in smart homes, supporting a broader array of devices and scenarios. This commitment by the Connectivity Standards Alliance and its members continues to push the boundaries of what smart home ecosystems can achieve, aiming to deliver more streamlined and user-friendly experiences across various devices and platforms. This continued improvement will cement Matter as being ‘the’ technology that all smart homes and smart buildings leverage for true interoperability.
