Amazon Completes Initial Matter Rollout to Alexa Devices
With Google having recently announced the rollout of Matter support for many of its Nest devices, Amazon has followed suit with its own Matter upgrades already complete for many Amazon devices. Apple has been way ahead in this regard, with Matter support for Apple TVs, HomePod Mini, and HomePod already in place, whilst SmartThings has recently been pushing Matter updates to its relevant hubs.
Amazon states that the first 17 Echo devices that now work as Matter controllers are as follows;
- Echo Dot (5th Gen)
- Echo Dot (5th Gen) with clock
- Echo (4th Gen)
- Echo Dot (3rd Gen, 2018 release)
- Echo Studio
- Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen, 2021 release)
- Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
- Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen, 2021 release)
- Echo Show 15
- Echo Dot (Gen 3 with Clock)
- Echo Dot (Gen 4 with Clock)
- Echo Show 5
- Echo (v3)
- Echo Dot Gen 4
- Echo Input
- Echo Flex
- Echo Show 8
At present, however, Matter-compatible devices (if you can find them…) that will work with Alexa, are still limited to only a few devices, all of which are already Alexa-compatible, and only use WiFi, not Thread or any other protocol. This includes bulbs, switches and smart plugs at this time. In 2023, the platform’s Matter compatibility chart should not only expand to more Alexa devices for the purposes of being Matter controllers but should also include devices that use Thread, although only for the Alexa devices that include a (currently inactive) Thread radio. Three recently updated products from Eve (Eve Motion, Eve Energy, Eve Door & Window), which up until now have been exclusive to HomeKit, will eventually work with any Alexa Matter controller that also contains a Thread Border Router.
Finally, it’s important to note that Matter functionality in relation to Alexa and its app is currently confined to the Android platform, with updates to the iOS version of Alexa due in 2023.
