Amazon Says Most Echo Speakers Will Support Matter Smart Home Platform

Amazon’s support for the Matter smart home platform is being focused. Formerly known as Project Chip (Connected Home over IP), Matter originates from the Connectivity Standards Alliance, a group made up of device makers like Amazon, Google, Apple and Samsung. It is intended to standardize voice assistant support across multiple devices, as well as make it easier to connect smart home gadgets to your home network. During its presentation to developers Alexa Live, Amazon said that virtually all Echo plug-in speakers will support Matter, except for the first generation Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Tap. Verge’s reports.

It’s unclear when Echo support will actually arrive, but at this point we expect Matter devices to launch later this year. Google has already declared a strong commitment to the platform – so much so that we have speculated that it could help unite the fragmented smart home ecosystem. Google devices that support the Thread standard, such as Nest Wi-Fi and Nest Hub Max, will also work as Matter connection points (AKA hubs). But like The edge Notes, it’s unclear whether any Echo devices will function as Matter hubs.

“The Matter brand will serve as a seal of approval, taking the guesswork out of the buying process and allowing businesses and consumers to choose from a wider range of brands to create secure and connected homes and buildings,” said the CSA in May after the change of the name of the subject.