Probably the biggest advantage of Matter is the fact that it makes smart home users largely independent of manufacturers.

Selecting products is much easier if devices work in a number of systems and can communicate with devices from other manufacturers.

Matter-capable smart home devices are easy to connect: Each compatible device comes with a QR code – simply scan the code with a smartphone and the connection will automatically be established.

There is no need for an extra Matter app – you can control the devices using the app for the relevant Matter smart home system.

As a Bosch Smart Home customer, you are used to the very highest security standards. With Matter, nothing changes here. Matter is secure thanks to:

• Encryption Matter-capable smart home devices communicate exclusively in encrypted form.
• Local connection: Communication between the Matter-capable smart home devices takes place locally, i.e. not via a cloud or bridge.
• Blockchain technology: Matter uses Blockchain technology. As a result, data are stored transparently on many distributed servers.

Matter is not a wireless standard. It is a communication protocol (based on the Internet protocol = IP), i.e. the language that devices speak, not the medium which connects them.

Accordingly, Matter uses wireless standards (transmission protocols) which are IP-based. The following are possible:

• Thread: Thread is a so-called mesh network, where the range and density of the wireless network increases with each Thread device. One advantage of Thread is its low energy consumption.
• WLAN: Good old WLAN is another possible Matter wireless standard.

And what about a bridge?
Alternatively, a bridge can translate the signals in the manufacturer connection standard (e.g. Zigbee) into the Matter IP standard. In many cases, the control centre (hub or controller) of the smart home ecosystem used acts as a bridge. Sometimes, other devices from the manufacturer perform this function.