The question of compatibility is now largely resolved, but with significant nuances depending on the platforms and versions of the protocol.
As for major brands, Philips Hue, Amazon Echo and Google Nest have all received their Matter updates since 2022-2023. Signify’s Hue Bridge has officially switched to Matter, making the entire Philips Hue ecosystem accessible from the four major home automation platforms – Apple Home (or Maison in French), Google Home, Alexa and Samsung SmartThings.
However, not all platforms implement the protocol at the same level. Samsung SmartThings and Amazon Alexa are at the forefront by supporting Matter up to version 1.4, while Apple Home has just updated its HomeKit architecture, without specifying the version used, and Google Home remains on version 1.2. This disparity has concrete consequences: a Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaner can only offer all its functions on Alexa, with only an on/off command available on Apple Home, pending an update to a more recent version.
What works well today: lights, sockets, temperature and humidity sensors, locks, thermostats. What is happening gradually: energy management, charging stations, solar panels. Do it yourself
For older devices that are not natively Matter compatible, it remains possible to integrate them via a home automation bridge, a gateway that translates their original protocol (Zigbee, Z-Wave, etc.) to Matter. It is therefore entirely possible to have existing equipment coexist via their hub and to gradually deploy Matter devices for new acquisitions.
