STACK #221 March 2023

TECH FEATURE

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WHAT IS ‘MATTER’ AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? A new, universal wireless connectivity standard brings unification to the smart home space and eliminates confusion over device compatibility.

From music and movies to shopping lists and when you want coffee in the morning, a smart home knows your personal preferences and routines, which naturally raises privacy concerns for many. The good news is that smart home devices are designed to be safe and secure, with manufacturers constantly updating and improving security. Moreover, there are a number of simple cybersecurity steps you can take to further safeguard sensitive information. Check the device’s privacy settings and adjust accordingly. Always install system/firmware updates ASAP when prompted, or set system and app updates to download automatically where available. Consider keeping devices containing sensitive personal information – like a laptop – on a guest network that’s separate from your smart home network, or vice versa. Choose strong passwords with a minimum of 12 characters (including numbers and symbols), and use a password manager so you don’t have to remember them all. Enable two-factor authentication for further peace of mind. Ensure your home Wi-Fi is protected by a strong password and high security protocol. Avoid naming your Wi-Fi network and never access your smart home ecosystem through open or public Wi-Fi. Your smartphone is your universal remote, so protect it with a passcode, facial recognition or fingerprint security, and make sure ‘find my phone’ is activated. SECURING YOUR SMART HOME

A smart home ecosystem provides a simple and efficient way of controlling all your devices, but communication between different brands can sometimes be hindered by proprietary software and hardware, requiring users to juggle multiple apps to control them. But what if they could all speak the same language? That’s where Matter comes in. A universal wireless connectivity protocol for interoperability, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) and launched late 2022, Matter offers seamless and secure connectivity between smart home devices regardless of the manufacturer. Matter-certified devices can ‘talk’ to each other directly using local Wi-Fi or a Thread mesh network (with support for ZigBee and Z-Wave) and can operate offline, so if your internet connection goes down, your Matter-enabled smart home will continue to run smoothly. Matter also simplifies smart home setup and operation by standardising device communication and control across

hubs, apps, voice assistants, and cloud services, and major industry players are already onboard. Matter-certified products will work with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. The ‘Matter controller’ that runs the system can be a smart home hub like Apple HomePod, Google Nest Hub, or Amazon Echo, as well as their respective apps for both iOS and Android phones. Supported smart home and sensors, HVAC controllers, smart TVs, and roller shades/blinds, with a forthcoming update set to encompass security cameras, fridges and washers, air purifiers, and garage door sensors. Manufacturers are also adding Matter compatibility to some existing devices via firmware updates. By boosting buyer confidence in product compatibility across different manufacturers and platforms, Matter is poised to further increase the uptake of devices, as well as effectively future proofing the smart home. devices currently include light bulbs, plugs, locks

DEVICES YOU MAY NOT KNOW CAN BE SMART

HIDRATE SPARK PRO SMART DRINK BOTTLE Yes, even a humble water bottle can feature smart tech to track your fluid intake via a companion app, and prompt you to pause and refresh while exercising.

SMARTY PEAR LEO’S LOO TOO For the cat that has everything, this smart loo includes a UV light to eliminate odours and a waste drawer that’s easy to clean. You can even keep track or your pet’s regularity with the companion app.

MEATER BLOCKWIRELESS SMART MEAT THERMOMETER Rare, medium, or well done? Meat will be cooked to perfection every time with a guided cook system. And you can monitor internal and ambient temperature from your phone and receive an estimated cooking time.

12 MARCH 2023

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