It looks like HomeKit will be able to chat with Google’s Android and Nest products.
Matter, the Apple-backed smart home protocol, is en route to Google’s products, meaning HomeKit will be able to communicate with devices such as the Nest Thermostat.
Matter, which was formed by a consortium of tech companies, offers communication with devices independent of their platform.
On Thursday, Google announced that Matter would be coming to the Android operating system and Nest products. This means that any device that uses the Matter protocol will now connect with Google Home via Android, including devices like the Nest Thermostat:
“All Nest displays and speakers, like the Nest Hub and Nest Mini, will be automatically updated to control Matter devices,” said Google.
This, in turn, could allow Google’s smart displays to control HomeKit devices that are certified by Matter.
Google also stated that the company is committing to updating its latest entry-level Nest Thermostat to support the Matter protocol. The company has yet to comment on its other smart home products, such as the Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Cams, Nest Protect, and Nest Hello. Google may or may not offer Matter support to these products down the line.
Even so, the Nest Thermostat represents a notable addition to Matter since it has not been compatible with other smart home platforms like Apple’s HomeKit since launch. Following full implementation of the protocol may occur as soon as late 2021, users will be able to buy one device and use it with any assistant on any platform that supports Matter.
Apple is expected to announce updates to its HomeKit platform during WWDC in June. It is unknown if Matter will be added in an update to iOS 14 or if it will come in iOS 15 or a subsequent point update.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and blog.google