The Connectivity Standards Alliance has just unveiled Matter 1.4, a significant update to the connected home standard supported by Apple. This new version marks an important step in the evolution of home automation, particularly for users of the Apple ecosystem.
Strengthened interoperability for the Apple ecosystem
One of the major advancements in Matter 1.4 is the introduction of Enhanced Multi-Admin, which revolutionizes the way devices communicate between different platforms. For Apple users, this means that a device configured in the Home application can automatically be available on other compatible platforms, without additional manipulation. This feature is particularly interesting for households using both Apple devices and other ecosystems like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
HomePods and Apple TV, which already serve as Thread border routers, will also benefit from better integration thanks to new specifications around sharing Thread network credentials. This improvement should significantly simplify the configuration and management of connected devices in the Apple Home ecosystem.
New compatible devices
Matter 1.4 introduces expanded support for energy management, opening up new perspectives for Apple users. New device categories include:
- Solar systems and their inverters
- Home batteries and storage systems
- Heat pumps
- Connected water heaters
These additions come with new features for thermostats, allowing for advanced programming and preset modes like “Vacation” or “Away.” For iPhone and iPad users, this means more precise control of their energy consumption directly from the Home app. We can even imagine compatibility with customizable do not disturb modes.
Future outlook for Apple Home
Although the full integration of Matter 1.4 into the Apple ecosystem is not immediate, rumors suggest that Apple is preparing a major offensive in the connected home field for 2025, notably with a connected robotic screen. This update lays the technical foundations necessary for this expansion. We should obviously expect to see new compatible devices gradually appear in the App Store, offering a smoother and more integrated experience. Certification of Matter routers should also simplify the necessary network infrastructure, potentially reducing reliance on HomePods and Apple TVs for Thread connectivity.
This development marks an important turning point for Apple Home, which could soon offer one of the most complete and integrated experiences in the connected home market, while maintaining the high standards of security and confidentiality dear to the brand. Proof of this is that Apple is not always against interoperability.
