Focusing on Reliability and Performance Issues

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has announced the release of Matter 1.4.2, a significant update to the smart home standard that prioritizes reliability and performance. This move comes after a year of promises to address the issues that have plagued the standard since its launch almost three years ago.

According to Tobin Richardson, president and CEO of the CSA, this year has been about “fixing these reliability and performance issues.” And with Matter 1.4.2, the organization is finally making good on that promise. The update brings a range of improvements, including more standardization across devices, faster communication, and a focus on router settings to help devices stay connected.

One of the key features of Matter 1.4.2 is the addition of Wi-Fi-only commissioning, which means that manufacturers won’t need to build Bluetooth into every device. This could lead to cheaper gadgets and a more streamlined onboarding experience. The update also includes several network management tweaks to help keep devices online and communicating more efficiently.

For instance, the new spec sets new minimum standards for how many devices a router can support, including at least 150 Thread devices and 100 Wi-Fi devices. This will help ensure that devices can communicate with each other and the internet without compromising performance. Additionally, the update adds support for Target Wake Time, which helps battery-powered devices conserve energy by reducing the frequency of wake-ups.

In addition to these technical improvements, Matter 1.4.2 also brings a range of security features, including the ability to revoke the unique ID of a device if it has been identified as cloned or counterfeit. This means that users will receive a warning if they try to add a device that is not secure. This feature is particularly important in the context of IoT security, where devices are increasingly being targeted by hackers.

The update also includes several quality-of-life updates, such as standardized scenes, cleaner device identification, and automatic adding of devices. These changes aim to create a more seamless and intuitive experience for users across different smart home ecosystem platforms.

For example, the new spec standardizes scenes, making it easier for users to create and manage them across different platforms. This means that users can create a scene using just Matter devices in their smart home app, and it should respond faster and still work when the internet is down. Scenes also now support time-based actions, allowing users to create scenes that change over time, such as a wake-up scene where lights gradually brighten over 30 minutes.

The update also includes cleaner device identification, which means that devices will be recognized and displayed consistently across different platforms. This is particularly important for devices with multiple functions, such as a power strip with four smart outlets or a sensor with multiple capabilities.

Furthermore, the update includes automatic adding of devices, which means that users will receive notifications when a new device is added to their ecosystem. This feature eliminates the need for manual setup and reduces the risk of devices being added without the user’s knowledge.

While the updates in Matter 1.4.2 are promising, the adoption of the standard still relies on ecosystems and device manufacturers rolling out updates or building new hardware. The CSA has developed fast-track programs to make it easier, faster, and cheaper to update to the most recent code, which might lead to quicker uptake.

Despite the progress made, the slow adoption of new specs by major players has been a persistent problem for Matter. The resulting setbacks and slowdowns have frustrated customers and manufacturers alike. It remains to be seen whether the updates in Matter 1.4.2 will be enough to push the standard forward and create a more stable and secure smart home experience.

However, the CSA is optimistic about the future of Matter. “We’re making progress, and we’re committed to making it easier for everyone to adopt and implement Matter,” said Tobin Richardson. “We’re working closely with our members and partners to ensure that the standard continues to evolve and improve over time.”

As the smart home market continues to grow, the adoption of Matter is likely to become more widespread. With its focus on reliability, performance, and security, Matter 1.4.2 is an important step towards creating a more seamless and intuitive smart home experience for users.