At I/O 2022, Google announced further details on the Matter smart home standard, which has since been postponed several times. Above all, the company has promised updates for existing products that can help the standard with rapid dissemination and accessibility.
Nest -Devices as controllers and border routers
In addition to the simple addition of new devices via a QR code, as Apple already uses with HomeKit, Google has announced updates for many Nest devices. Not surprisingly, many Nest devices will be able to act as controllers, for example via the Google Home app on the smartphone or as a smart speaker or smart display via the Google Assistant to control the Matter-enabled devices. The first Google Home, Google Mini, Nest Mini, Nest Hub (1st and 2nd gen.), Nest Hub Max, Nest Audio (test) and Nest Wifi will serve as controllers.
On the other hand, Google has also announced that Nest Wifi (test), Nest Hub Max and Nest Hub 2nd Gen (test) will also act as thread border routers to connect the thread network to the user's IP network and thus also to be connected to the smartphone. This allows the smart home devices to be accessed remotely and their functions to be controlled.
Works with Google Home
Google has also changed the visualization of the “Works with” program. Instead of “Works with Hey Google”, products will in future be labeled “Works with Google Home” if they can be easily integrated into Google Home and controlled via scenes, the Google Assistant and the app. However, the labeling does not guarantee that the devices marked in this way also support Matter.
New SDKs for developers
Starting June 30, Google will also provide new tools to develop Matter devices and apps with the Google Home Device SDK and the Google Home Mobile SDK. With the Google Home Mobile SDK, developers can use the future of Android connectivity to connect directly to Matter-enabled devices. You will no longer have to take care of the connection process yourself.