Onvis Matter Over Thread N.American Outdoor Plug Now Available
ONVIS‘s previously announced T20 AB2 outdoor smart plug is now available to buy, bringing Matter over Thread connectivity, Matter-based energy monitoring, and an IP65 rating to outdoor devices. The T20 AB2 is both Matter 1.4.2 and Thread 1.4 certified, with support for Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. The model now available is designed for the North American market, with an EU version set to follow at a later date.
MATTER 1.4.2 ENERGY MONITORING
One of the more notable features of the T20 AB2 is its support for energy monitoring through Matter. While energy monitoring itself is nothing new for smart plugs, historically this information has generally only been available through a manufacturer’s own app.
With its Matter 1.4.2 certification, the T20 AB2 can expose real-time power usage and energy consumption through Matter itself. This means compatible smart home platforms can access this information without having to rely on an ONVIS-specific implementation.
For Apple Home users, support for viewing this energy data is coming with iOS 27. Although the T20 AB2 can already expose its energy information via Matter, Apple Home does not currently display this data. With iOS 27, Apple is adding support for Matter-based energy monitoring, allowing compatible devices such as the T20 AB2 to report their energy information directly within the Home app. This distinction is important, as support ultimately involves both sides of the equation: the accessory needs to expose energy data using Matter, while the smart home platform also needs to support and display it.
THREAD 1.4
In addition to Matter 1.4.2, the T20 AB2 is Thread 1.4 certified. As a permanently powered Thread device, the outdoor plug can participate in a Thread network as a router-capable device, helping extend the mesh network to other Thread accessories. Thread 1.4 also brings improvements aimed at greater interoperability between Thread networks and devices, making the certification another notable feature compared with earlier generations of Matter over Thread accessories.
IP65 RATED FOR OUTDOOR USE
The T20 AB2 carries an IP65 rating, providing protection against dust and water jets and making it suitable for outdoor use. This should allow the plug to remain in place throughout the year and cope with rain and other typical outdoor conditions when installed appropriately. Potential uses include landscape and garden lighting, seasonal decorations, outdoor fans, pumps, and other compatible outdoor appliances.
The plug can also be incorporated into schedules and automations using the user’s preferred Matter platform, as well as controlled manually or using the voice assistant associated with the chosen ecosystem. The North American version of the ONVIS T20 AB2 is available onAmazon.com now for US$30.59 (when using the coupon), with ONVIS planning to release an EU version at a later date. With Matter 1.4.2 energy monitoring, Thread 1.4 connectivity, and IP65 protection, the T20 AB2 offers a relatively future-facing option for extending a Matter over Thread setup to outdoor devices.
