Streaming Smart Speakers Set to Embrace Matter Standard for Smart Homes

Introducing Matter's Upcoming Support for Smart Speakers

Matter, the revolutionary standard for smart home integration, is set to enhance our experience with speakers. As confirmed by Chris LaPré, CTO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), a new streaming speaker device type is currently under development.

Enhancing Smart Home Communication

With Matter's support, speakers will not only play music but also communicate essential notifications—alerting you when your doorbell rings, when a washing cycle finishes, or when a smoke alarm sounds. This integration could allow seamless control and interaction across different device ecosystems.

Current Smart Speakers: Controllers Only

While popular smart speakers like Apple’s HomePods and Amazon’s Echo are Matter controllers, they lack the ability to be governed by other Matter devices. Essentially, these speakers can manage other devices but cannot be controlled through different ecosystems—yet.

An Evolving Ecosystem

The CSA is refining Matter to specifically cater to modern streaming speakers, enabling them to serve as vital communication hubs that deliver ambient notifications within your smart home. This initiative aims to make smart living easier and more connected.

Challenges Ahead

While there's excitement around these advancements, much work remains before fully functional smart speakers will be available. The technical specifications and functionalities are still under exploration, as highlighted by Chris DeCenzo from Amazon.

Legato: Pioneering Smart Speaker Development

Leading the charge is Legato, a company formed by veterans from Sonos and Apple, aiming to unlock the potential of smart speakers within the Matter ecosystem. They plan to address various key functionalities—from selecting audio sources to crafting unique smart home scenes.

The Future of Home Audio Systems

Although Matter's development may not enable multi-room music directly, it opens the door for third-party manufacturers to create more versatile and affordable Smart Speakers. Legato's software, LegatoXP, could democratize the production of smart speakers that cater to all ecosystems.

Why This Matters for Consumers

This advancement could lead to a diverse smart speaker market, offering users options beyond heavyweights like Apple, Google, and Amazon—providing affordable smart home solutions without compromising features.

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