STACK #229 November 2023

SMART HOME

TECH FEATURE

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WORKING O

If you have a range of devices from different brands and ecosystems, some of them can talk to each other thanks to Matter, a new wireless connectivity standard for the smart home that enables cross-platform conversation to keep everything running smoothly. Words Bec Summer D eveloped by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) and launched in late 2022, Matter A MATTER OF COMMUNICATION Okay, no problem.

WI-FI DO YOU NEED T O UPGRADE?

New versions of Wi-Fi speed things up and streamline the connections between our devices. But what’s the latest version and will it work with all your existing tech? Words Scott Hocking Wi-Fi floats in the interfuzz all around us, keeping us constantly connected. 16 years ago it seemed like magic, but now it’s easy to take this revolutionary wireless communication standard for granted, and be oblivious to the fact that just like Bluetooth and device operating systems, Wi-Fi gets upgraded every so often. Launched in 2019, Wi-Fi 6 is still the current standard, with faster speeds and better range than Wi-Fi 5, and enabling routers to communicate with more connected devices simultaneously – like in a smart home system – to better manage network congestion and keep everything all running smoothly. Wi-Fi 6 is backwards compatible and supported by most modern routers. Then Wi-Fi 6E popped up the following year as an extension of Wi-Fi 6. What’s the difference? Where Wi-Fi 5 only used a 5GHz band, Wi-Fi 6 uses dual bands – 2.4GHz and 5GHz – and can automatically switch to the one with the least interference, while Wi-Fi 6E added a higher speed 6GHz band. Think of it in these terms: if the 2.4GHz band were a laneway, and 5GHz an average two-way street, then 6GHz is much like a multi lane freeway, allowing smoother streaming and lower latency (less delays) when using high-bandwidth applications. While Wi-Fi 6 and 6E devices are backwards compatible with earlier versions, you will need a dedicated Wi-Fi 6E router and supported devices to take advantage of the 6GHz fast band. Now Wi-Fi 7 is on the horizon and poised to deliver even more bandwidth and speeds potentially four times greater than Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. Still in the development stage, expect to connect sometime in mid 2024.

allows proprietary smart home ecosystems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple

When I unlock the door, you switch on.

HomeKit to speak a universal language.

So if a device you want is Matter-certified, it will be compatible with your chosen ecosystem, even if you’re running Google and the device supports Apple. Matter-certified devices can talk to each other directly using Wi-Fi or a Thread mesh network, and can also operate offline using the latter. So, if your internet connection goes down, your smart home will keep on running. Matter also simplifies smart home set-up and operation by standardising device communication and control across hubs, phone

Matter standard at this stage, but those that do include light bulbs, plugs, locks and sensors, HVAC controllers, smart TVs, and roller shade drivers, with security cameras, fridges, washers, robot vacuums, and garage door sensors all on the horizon. Manufacturers are also adding Matter compatibility to some existing devices via firmware updates. The diversity of smart home devices available and different ecosystems can create uncertainty, but Matter gives you the confidence that your smart home won’t suffer any compatibility issues, as well as effectively future-proofing it.

apps, smart speakers, voice assistants, and cloud services. It also incorporates strong security and encryption to protect your privacy. Not all smart home devices support the

DYK?

250 devices can be connected to a general

Wi-Fi router at once, although bandwidth spread can vary and connection speed for each may not necessarily be reliable.

14 NOVEMBER 2023

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