Security cameras are finally part of the Matter standard
Image: Ben Patterson/Foundry
Smart bulbs, robot vacuums, thermostats, refrigerators, and even dishwashers are all among the smart home categories accounted for in the Matter standard that’s supposed to break down the walls between smart home brands. Security cameras, on the other hand, were one of the biggest categories left out of the party—until now, that is.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance, the consortium behind Matter, has announced that security cameras are finally part of the Matter specification, which smart home device manufacturers follow to ensure their products play nice with each other.
In addition to security cameras, Matter 1.5 adds support for soil sensors (used in conjunction with smart sprinkler systems to prevent unnecessary irrigation) while refining the way it handles closures such as smart window coverings, garage door openers, gates, and other controllable barriers. The updated Matter specification also includes new energy management functionality that, among other things, takes even tariffs into account (more on that in a bit).
But it’s Matter 1.5’s consideration of security cameras, which has been sorely missing until now, that’s the big headline here, and it’s a development that will help the standard fulfill its promise as the glue that binds Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and other key smart home ecosystems together.
Of course, as with all things Matter, some expectations need to be set. Just because Matter 1.5 supports security cameras doesn’t mean you can immediately peer through your Nest Cam’s viewfinder via the Apple Home app. The big smart home players must first roll out Matter 1.5 support across their respective platforms, and device manufacturers must make their cameras compliant with the new specification. All that’s going to take a while—think months, not weeks or days.
The good news is that the CSA believes most “modern” security cameras, including video doorbells, floodlight cameras, and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) models, can be retrofitted to work with Matter via software updates. Again, though, it’s up to manufacturers to decide which of their existing cameras will get Matter updates.
It’s also worth noting that Matter will only be able to handle some security camera functions, not all of them.
Broadly speaking, users with Matter-enabled security cameras will be able to view their live camera feeds on their various Matter controller apps, and they’ll also be able to control pan-tilt-zoom motors as well as configure motion and privacy zones.
But for now, the Matter specification doesn’t deal with storage of event videos, meaning if you want to play back a recorded video clip, you’ll still need to fire up the camera manufacturer’s app.
Matter also won’t handle on-camera AI object detection, such as for people, pets, vehicles, or cards, so it won’t be able to trigger automations based on such detection.
Even with limited support, though, the addition of security cameras to the Matter specification is a big step forward for the standard, and it’s possible that Matter will gain support for additional security camera features in the future.
As mentioned previously, Matter 1.5 is also adding a “refined and unified approach” to closures such as window shades, drapes, awnings, gates, and garage doors, complete with a “simplified, modular cluster design” that will let manufacturers use “building blocks” to specify motion types such as “sliding,” “rotating,” and “opening,” as well as closure configurations like “single-panel,” “dual-panel,” and “nested mechanisms.”
Matter 1.5’s soil sensor support will work together with Matter-enabled water valves and irrigation systems to aid in automated watering and plant-health monitoring.
Finally, Matter-enabled home solar systems and other power-related devices will be able to incorporate pricing, tariff, and carbon data from utilities and grid operators, provided the data is delivered in a Matter-friendly format.
This article is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben’s articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men’s Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master’s degree in English literature.
Responses