Smart home devices are gaining ground, but there are compatibility issues between brands that are causing users headaches. The Matter protocol (promoted by the Connectivity Standards Alliance) aims to simplify the control of a smart home that has a mix of devices from different manufacturers. A major step towards this goal was announced today as Samsung and Google have agreed to build a bridge between SmartThings and Google Home devices.
That bridge is based on Matter’s multi-admin feature, which allows different apps to connect to one or more devices and control them. This means that a device configured in Google Home will also appear in the SmartThings app and vice versa, so you no longer have to remember which app controls the lights and which one controls the smart speakers.
This will also free you to buy the smart device you want rather than looking for one that uses the same app / ecosystem as the rest of your smart home (juggling multiple apps isn’t ideal). As long as a device supports the Matter protocol, you’ll be able to control and automate it with Samsung’s SmartThings or Google’s Home, whichever app you prefer.
Google and Samsung aren’t the only supporters of Matter – here’s the list of members. Includes Amazon, Ikea, LG, Midea, Tuya and others. There are also several smartphone manufacturers on the list: Oppo, Huawei and (curiously) Apple.
“Both SmartThings and Google are committed to user choice and empowering consumers to control their devices. This collaboration reinforces that commitment by improving the user experience and promoting transparency between ecosystems “, said Jaeyeon Jung, Corporate Vice President and Head of SmartThings.
Support for Matter’s multi-admin feature will be rolled out by Samsung and Google in the coming weeks.
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