The latest update of Matter, version 1.3, by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) is set to transform smart homes. This new version extends the standard into various corners of your household, including the kitchen, laundry room, and garage. One of the significant highlights of this update is the enhanced control over essential household appliances such as ovens and cooktop stoves.
In the kitchen, homeowners can now monitor and control the operation of their ovens, checking on tasks like preheating or cooling down, and even instructing the appliance on specific cooking tasks like broiling. Similarly, cooktop stoves can be remotely turned on or adjusted for temperature, offering added convenience and control to users.
Expanding beyond the kitchen, Matter 1.3 brings support for dryers in laundry rooms, allowing users to manage functions like changing the drying mode and receiving notifications when the laundry is done. This latest version further extends support for washing machines, building upon the enhancements introduced in Matter 1.2.
Managing Utilities Efficiently
Managing utilities is a crucial aspect of homeownership, and Matter 1.3 addresses this by enhancing the standard’s energy reporting capabilities. Smart home devices can now provide detailed insights into their energy consumption, generation, voltage, and more. Furthermore, electric vehicle (EV) owners can now control their vehicle’s charge level to match their desired range by setting departure times or manually adjusting charging preferences. Additionally, Matter can monitor the plumbing in your home, alerting you to potential leaks or frozen pipes.
Notable Software Enhancements
In addition to the support for new devices, Matter 1.3 introduces several software features and improvements. Users can now create and activate customized scenes with specific conditions, like adjusting lighting or colors with a single command. The update also allows for sequencing multiple commands to reduce delays and enhance the overall user experience. Matter 1.3 offers the ability to view notifications from various devices on smart TVs and includes bug fixes for a smoother operation.
