Samsung SmartThings is the latest ecosystem to join the Matter protocol

Matter and the convenience it would bring to smart home users has been the subject of a lot of discussion. The protocol would tear down the walled gardens that so many companies have built and allow devices to interact more easily with one another without the need to jump through hoops. Dozens of brands have already committed to the Matter protocol, including names like Nanoleaf, Schlage, Honeywell, and more. With big names like Amazon, Google, and even Apple supporting the protocol, it’s a strong indication that Matter is going to make a huge impact in the smart home. Samsung SmartThings is the latest to join the protocol. The company announced the collaboration during its Samsung Developer Conference 2021. What this means is that any SmartThings-enabled device will be able to be controlled through Matter, including televisions, smart home devices, and the Family Hub lineup of smart products. This means the SmartThings ecosystem will be able to work with other ecosystems without the need to purchase additional products. Matter will serve to lessen competition between brands, at least to some extent. The hope is that the protocol will push further adoption of smart home technologies and create another surge within the industry, pushing sales and innovation forward. There are currently more than 180 companies working together on the Matter protocol. In a way, it furthers what Samsung set out to do with the SmartThings hub in the first place. It connects disparate devices together across one language, allowing them all to interact with one another. While Zigbee and Z-Wave (and in some cases, Insteon) have reigned supreme in the past, Matter aims to bridge the gap between these protocols to make smart home technology that much smarter. Samsung has stated that it plans to bring Matter to multiple products in 2022 as the standard becomes more readily available and can be integrated into the SmartThings platform. It’s a safe assumption that most Samsung products releasing at that point forward will work with Matter, although no word has been given yet on if it will be backward compatible with earlier devices. The Kwikset Halo Select Smart Lock is now available, and it’s aiming to bring some cool new functionality (and enhanced security) to your front door. Along with premium features like the ability to remotely lock or unlock your door, the smart lock supports Matter and is compatible with a variety of different voice assistants. This is Kwikset’s first new smart lock in years, and it looks to be a big leap forward. Like all the best smart locks, you’ll find a long list of capabilities on the Halo Select, giving you complete control over its performance. Whether you want to set up unique access codes for friends and family, check your door’s status remotely, have it automatically unlock as you approach with your smartphone, or get notifications when a wrong code is entered, there’s a lot of cool tech packed into the smart lock. Matter launched to the public in 2022, promising a streamlined way to connect all your smart devices. Since its debut, the Connectivity Standards Alliance has continued to churn out updates to the interoperability standard, making it compatible with more devices and ironing out a few of its wrinkles. That trend continues today with the launch of Matter 1.4 — an update that expands its energy-tracking abilities and aims to make it easier than ever to create a robust home network. For Matter users looking to lower their energy bills, they’ll be glad to know that the energy tracking features rolled out in update 1.3 are now coming to more devices for Matter 1.4. Energy reporting and management is now available for the following device types: Eufy, a smart home brand from Anker, has officially revealed the Eufy Smart Lock E30 — the company’s first smart lock with Matter support. It’s now available on the Eufy store for $170, and it looks like a nice addition to Eufy’s smart lock lineup, joining products like the Video Smart Lock S330 and Smart Lock S230. If you love syncing all your smart home gadgets together and creating powerful automations, the Smart Lock E30’s Matter compatibility is a big win. This allows you to control the device via hubs like Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Amazon Alexa, giving you more flexibility than you’ll find on most other smart locks.