For those of you who haven't heard, there is a new connectivity standard coming to market to help simplify the communication between Internet of Things (IoT) devices for consumers. It's called Matter (formerly known as Project CHIP) and it's a wireless smart home communication standard designed to help smart devices talk to each other no matter the wireless protocol. Big names like Amazon, Apple, Google and Comcast are involved and the newest member is Aqara.

Aqara is a provider for smart home products and announced its commitment to Matter. The Company plans to provide global consumers a variety of Matter-compatible products. They will integrate Matter into its existing hubs – Aqara M1S and M2 – through a software update (OTA). The updated Aqara M2 and M1S hubs will enable certain new and existing Aqara child devices to be compatible with Matter. (Note: Certain Aqara products may not be compatible with Matter due to the lack of Matter support for specific device type(s).)

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The first Matter-compatible Aqara child devices will include the latest sensors, wall switches, and smart plugs. If you are a current Aqara smart home, the Matter Integration will not disrupt your current systems and you can continue to enjoy the same features and benefits of Aqara's existing Zigbee devices.

Matter is a new, open-source, and secure connectivity standard for IoT devices. It's designed to act as a seal of approval to help IoT device buyers know what they are buying is a secure and reliable product. Aqara shares Matter's vision of having a unifying language for the IoT industry to improve consumers' smart home experiences. The Company is part of the Matter community of more than 200 global companies with a common goal of increasing interoperability across IoT devices, brands and systems, and boosting adoption of the smart home worldwide.

The OTA update for the Aqara M2 and M1S hubs will be available shortly after the Matter rollout. According to the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the Matter certification program and the first Matter-certified devices are expected to be available in the first half of 2022. As part of the Matter Working Group, Aqara has been actively monitoring the latest Matter developments and specifications to ensure a seamless launch next year.

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At GearBrain, we support technologies that can help simplify smart devices for consumers. The lack of interoperability is a big problem and with 5G coming quickly, it's only going to get more complicated. Matter will help make things easier for buyers of IoT devices. Aqara joining other smart device makers, like Somfy, Samsung SmartThings, Eve, Schlage and Nanoleaf is a good move and will benefit all parties, especially those looking to build a smart home.

Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine to see the other Matter compatible products that work with Aqara, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa enabled devices like smart thermostats, smart locks, DIY home security systems and more.

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