The journey of Matter, the universal smart home standard that promised seamless connectivity across devices, has been a challenging one. Two years since its initial release, the rollout has been marked by bugs, delayed adoption by major players like Apple, Amazon, and Google, and often difficult setup experiences. However, the launch of the Matter 1.4 specification this week offers a glimpse of progress, as the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)—the organization behind Matter—introduces new features designed to streamline device compatibility and functionality.
One of the main enhancements in Matter 1.4 is the “enhanced multi-admin” feature. This builds on the original multi-admin functionality, which was intended to let a single Matter-compatible device work across multiple platforms like Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home. Enhanced multi-admin takes this a step further by enabling a seamless setup process, so a Matter device added to one platform can automatically appear on any other authorized platforms. This is accomplished through a new system called Fabric Sync, which allows different ecosystems (referred to as “Fabrics” in Matter) to communicate with each other. For instance, if you add a smart light to your Amazon Alexa platform, Fabric Sync could enable it to appear automatically in your Apple Home setup, provided the ecosystems are authorized to share this information.
Another major update in Matter 1.4 is its expanded support for energy management. This includes support for new device types such as heat pumps, home batteries, and solar panels. While this represents a notable step forward for Matter’s utility in managing energy resources within the home, some highly anticipated devices are still not included. For example, security cameras, which remain a missing piece in Matter’s portfolio. Although the CSA has indicated that camera support is in development, no timeline has been set for its release.
Matter 1.4 also aims to make smart home installation simpler and more flexible by enabling Wi-Fi routers and access points to function as Matter infrastructure. This could make it easier for consumers to establish a Matter network at home without needing specialized hardware, potentially expanding Matter’s reach and encouraging more device manufacturers to adopt it. It’s notable that these functionalities—interoperability across platforms, smoother device setup, and expanded energy management—were initially envisioned as core parts of Matter from the beginning. However, they are only now being implemented, reflecting the challenges the CSA has faced in creating a unified standard that balances ease of use with robust security protocols.
Yet, as promising as these updates are, the actual impact of Matter 1.4 on consumers will likely take time to materialize. Although the specification is now available, it’s up to individual device manufacturers and platform providers to implement the features in their products. Given the slow adoption rate of previous Matter versions, it could be a while before users experience the benefits of Matter 1.4 across their smart homes.
In terms of adoption, the major tech players have been somewhat non-committal. When asked about their plans, Amazon and Google confirmed their intentions to integrate Matter 1.4 but did not provide specific timelines. Amazon has announced that updates to its Echo and Eero devices will start early next year, while Google Home is actively working on implementing enhanced multi-admin and plans to support the new device types in the future.
Despite these challenges, the improvements in Matter 1.4 could help address some of the frustrations consumers have experienced with the initial versions of Matter. Enhanced multi-admin, for example, could simplify multi-platform setups by allowing users to add a device to one platform and automatically sync it across others. This would save users the hassle of reconfiguring devices for each ecosystem and could make it easier to integrate devices from different manufacturers into a single, cohesive smart home system. For advanced users, this feature could enable more flexible configurations. For instance, it could allow someone to use an Echo Hub or Google Home display as a physical interface for their smart home, while also managing the same devices through Apple Home on an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Enhanced multi-admin is an optional feature, however, meaning platforms aren’t required to adopt it. Nevertheless, the CSA’s marketing chair, Daniel Moneta, expressed optimism that the big players involved in Matter’s development are likely to integrate it in the coming year. He explains that Fabric Sync addresses previous concerns around security and authorization by streamlining the process while still allowing users to control which devices are shared across platforms.
Ultimately, Matter 1.4’s success will depend on how quickly device manufacturers and platform providers roll out these features to consumers. Enhanced multi-admin and expanded energy management support could finally give Matter the momentum it needs to become a true smart home standard. But until these features are widely adopted, users may continue to face the fragmented, inconsistent experience that Matter was designed to solve.