Smart home devices are gaining traction, but there are compatibility issues between brands that are causing headaches for users. The Matter protocol (promoted by the Connectivity Standards Alliance) aims to make it easier to control a smart home that has a mix of devices from different makers. A major step forward towards that goal was announced today as Samsung and Google have agreed to build a bridge between SmartThings and Google Home devices.
That bridge is built on Matter’s multi-admin feature, which allows different apps to connect to one or more devices and control them. This means that a device set up in Google Home will also appear in the SmartThings app and vice versa, so you no longer have to remember which app controls the lights and which controls the smart speakers.
This will also free you up to buy the smart device you want rather than looking for one that uses the same app/ecosystem as the rest of your smart home (juggling multiple apps it not ideal). As long as a device supports the Matter protocol, you will be able to control and automate it with either Samsung’s SmartThings or Google’s Home, whichever app you prefer.
Google and Samsung are not the only supporters of Matter – here is the list of members. It includes Amazon, Ikea, LG, Midea, Tuya and others. Several smartphone makers are also on the list: Oppo, Huawei and (curiously) Apple.
“Both SmartThings and Google are committed to user choice and giving consumers the power to control their own devices. This collaboration furthers that commitment by enhancing the user experience and promoting transparency between ecosystems,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Corporate Vice President and Head of SmartThings.
Support for Matter’s multi-admin feature will be rolled out by Samsung and Google in the coming weeks.
