Google Nest and Android devices are now important controllers (for future devices)

The Article promise—the future where smart home devices seamlessly fit into your home, no matter what other devices or speakers you’re using—is a little closer today. The Google announce That Nest and Android devices are Matter-enabled, allowing it to set up and control other Matter devices—which for the most part didn’t exist until now.

If your Android device is running version 8.1 or higher and has Google Play Service 22.48.14 or later, you can use it to pair a Matter-compatible device with other Matter products and controllers. In this The first days after launchThis means that you can pair with a few Eve devices that got their firmware update three days ago. Or you could wait for some Nanoleaf bulbs, some level smart locks, or whatever else is coming up. Nest devices that have been quietly received Latest firmware updates They can now be used to control the same (very limited) group of devices.

The attraction of the moment is that you can, technically, use your Android phone to put an Eve device on your Matter Network, and then use the iOS Home app, Samsung’s SmartThings, or Alexa speaker (when they’re updated in early 2023) to actually control that device. Alternatively, devices you’ve brought to the network can be controlled using your Google Nest Hub iOS device, speaker, or other Nest device.

Google also announced that it has added “significant support for Fast Pair on Android”. As best we can tell, this means that when a Matter device is nearby (it announces itself via Bluetooth), a pop-up and Add Network flow similar to what Google uses for Pixel Buds and other friendly devices will guide you through connecting your device to your network—with a nudge to use Google. Home to control it. As Google notes in its blog post, you should look for devices with the Matter badge to ensure compatibility, but also “look for the Works with Google Home badge” to ensure it “works well with Google devices.”

More useful to any future Home Matter, the Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Hub Max, and the second generation Nest Hub should now act as Thread boundary routers, expanding the coverage of the Matter in your home, even if you don’t use Google Home to control it.

Nest Mini, Audio, Hubs 1st and 2nd generation, Max, and Wifi Pro devices, along with the Google Home and Google Home Mini, receive Matter controller support first. The Nest Wifi, Hub Max, and Learning Thermostat are scheduled to be updated in 2023.