The Connectivity Standard Alliance on Wednesday announced Matter 1.6, an update to the smart home standard that's designed to improve compatibility between devices and platforms such as Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa. That's particularly important as these platforms add new features, such as Apple Home's upcoming capabilities to generate AI video descriptions for connected security cameras. 

The Matter update is part of a big week for the Connectivity Standard Alliance. The group also announced updates to Thread, a protocol that Matter and other smart home devices can use for local communication and that offers security and power-efficiency advantages over technologies such as Wi-Fi.

A representative from the Connectivity Standard Alliance didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. 

What does the Matter update actually change?

Matter 1.6 is directed toward manufacturers and brands, so many of the updates are behind-the-scenes changes to improve security or make it easier for smart devices to communicate. Matter 1.6 includes a few notable changes:

• The standard adds NFC-based commissioning, a setup method that uses near-field communication technology. With NFC, users may be able to initiate device pairing by tapping or holding a phone near a compatible product, rather than scanning a QR code.
• Matter 1.6 also adds Thermostat Suggestions, which provides a framework for prioritizing smart thermostat commands and settings. Manufacturers can specify how a thermostat should handle competing instructions, such as a utility energy-management program versus a user-scheduled temperature change. The update could also distinguish between user-made manual adjustments and automated changes made by software, prioritizing manual adjustments in this case.
• Smart security sensors gain the potential to store event histories, allowing people to see when a sensor was activated and whether it remains active. Similar capabilities have long been available in many manufacturer apps, but Matter could make them more broadly available through platforms such as Google Home.
• The update allows easier switching of smart devices between platforms. If you prefer Apple Home but your wife likes Alexa, you won't have to set up the same device on both platforms. 
• The new Thread Tools app lets users monitor their Thread network and identify connectivity issues that could affect device placement or performance.

When will people see these updates?

Adoption of the new features is likely to vary by manufacturer. While Matter 1.6 is now available, companies can implement updates on their own timelines and may choose to add support on a device-by-device basis.

Sometimes it takes years for hardware and software to catch up to features that Matter supports. Matter added long-awaited video device support in late 2025, but few companies have produced home security cameras that support it. 

That means you may see these features come to existing smart devices in the next several months, or you may have to wait for a new generation of products. When I review or recommend smart home tech, I'll call out Matter features that devices support, especially newer capabilities, so you'll have a better idea of what you're getting.