Connectivity Standards Alliance has announced the latest update to Matter, version 1.3 of the specification and SDK, is now available for device makers and platforms to integrate into their products. This latest release marks an important step forward, enabling devices that can be more helpful to users in the kitchen and laundry room, enhance entertainment and smart home interaction on screens, and make the smart home more efficient and safer with new energy and water management support. 

The addition of these new device types and functionalities in Matter 1.3 enables product manufacturers and controllers to begin implementing and certifying these features into new and existing products. As our member companies invest the time needed to integrate, test, and deploy new features, updates, and devices to the market, we look forward to future announcements of products delivering these new capabilities to users through Matter. 

With the support of our Membership and the active participation of a strong community of engineers and product experts from across the globe, the Connectivity Standards Alliance and its Members remain committed to Matter as the industry’s best path to delivering increased simplicity, interoperability, security, and value to consumers. With the release of version 1.3, Matter continues to expand its footprint across the smart home industry and the IoT ecosystem.

New Support for Water and Energy Management Devices

Energy Management: To help users understand and manage their energy use, save money, and reduce their carbon footprint, Matter 1.3 introduces new energy reporting capabilities. This enables any device type to include the ability to report actual and estimated measurements, including instantaneous power, voltage, current, and others, in real-time, as well as its energy consumption or generation over time.

Electric Vehicle Charging:  Matter 1.3’s energy features also enable new energy-centric devices, the first of which is Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). This enables EV charging equipment manufacturers to present a consumer-friendly way to control how and when they charge their vehicles. It features the ability to manually start or stop charging, adjust the charging rate, or specify how many miles of range to be added by a set departure time, leaving the charging station to automatically optimize the charging to happen at the cheapest and lowest carbon times.

Water Management: Support for leak and freeze detectors, rain sensors, and controllable water valves provide homeowners with enhanced monitoring, management, and protection over water in and around their homes.

New Major Appliance Types

With Matter 1.3, we are adding support for more appliances, encompassing a range of major household devices essential to everyday living. 

Among the newly supported device types:

Microwave Ovens — Users can control the cooking time, power level, and mode of operation and receive notifications, such as “end of cycle” or “food ready” when the microwave completes operation. For a microwave installed in an “over-the-range” configuration, the specification also supports control of an extractor fan and light typical in such scenarios.

Ovens — Configurations including built-in, stand-alone, or as part of a range with an associated cooktop are included in the Matter 1.3 update. Each oven compartment can be individually controlled from an operational mode (standard, convection bake, roast, steam, broil/grill, proofing) and temperature-setting perspective with information related to the state of the oven (i.e., preheating or cooling). Notifications such as preheating and target temperature achieved are supported.

Cooktops — With Matter 1.3, there is support for cooktops, allowing for remote access and control (typically induction-based devices). The cooktop’s elements allow for temperature control and measurement (where regulation allows). 

Extractor Hoods (Cooker Hoods, Vent Hoods) — Matter 1.3 supports cooktops and ranges in conjunction with cooktop hoods. It allows for the control of both the light and fan settings in such devices, as well as the status/end-of-life of any filter material used (e.g., HEPA filters).

Laundry Dryers — With Matter 1.2 including support for laundry washers, Matter 1.3 completes the pairing with the addition of support for laundry dryers. Users can set the dryer mode and target temperature and, depending on local safety regulations, remotely start and stop the dryer. Notifications like “end of cycle” and alarms on error states (as vendor-specified) are supported.

Enhanced Entertainment and Smart Home Management Functionality for Media Devices

Matter Casting Media Players / TVs — Matter 1.3 offers improvements to TV functionality, including push messages and dialog support for new ambient experiences, casting initialization enhancements, expanded interactivity options for TV apps, text and track support, and improved search functionality. Interaction with other devices in the home is also enhanced, enabling other Matter devices to send notifications to TVs or other devices with screens (for instance, notifying that a robot vacuum is stuck, the laundry is done, etc.)

Additional New Features & Core Improvements

The latest update to Matter provides more than new device types and capabilities; it also includes new features and core improvements to enhance Matter-enabled user experiences.

User Experience Enhancements

Scenes — Scenes are now supported, providing a standards-based method for product makers and smart home platforms to set, read, and activate scenes on devices. Scenes enable users to create a desired state for devices, rooms, or their whole home, by combining settings in devices that can be triggered with one command. For example, a user can set a scene that defines colour and brightness for each of a number of lights, and they can deploy that state synchronously across multiple lights with one command. Devices are also able to store what scenes they are a part of, reducing the number of individual commands needed to execute a scene transition, and improving responsiveness.

Command Batching — A Matter controller can now batch multiple commands into a single message when communicating with Matter devices to minimize the delay between the execution of those commands. For example, when used with a Matter bridge, batched commands can affect multiple devices allowing the bridge to provide a more synchronized experience. Common examples include minimizing the “popcorn effect” sometimes seen in smart lighting applications.

Debugging and Developer Experience Improvements

Improved Network Commissioning — Network Commissioning now allows devices to report which Wi-Fi bands they support. Mandatory support of Wi-Fi-directed scan improves setup success and enables more actionable connectivity error reporting during setup. For Thread devices, the Network Commissioning cluster now includes attributes to communicate the devices’ Thread version and supported features.

Event Timestamp Synchronization — Timestamps of events can be synchronized across devices, even if an individual device doesn’t support time synchronization.

Extended Beaconing Period — Allows devices to beacon (or “advertize”) for longer periods, providing users with a larger time window to commission their devices for the first time.

Cluster Revisions — Several clusters have undergone noteworthy revisions, including Basic Information, Channel, Door Lock, General Diagnostics, Media Playback, Network Commissioning, Power Source, and Thermostat clusters.

Automatic SDK XML cluster description from spec text — New tooling eases alignment between the Matter Specification and SDK functions. The tooling makes it easier to develop new standardized clusters. It also promotes interoperability as we apply the tooling to eliminate inconsistencies between the technical spec and the Matter SDK improving the consistency of implementations.

For More Information: Developers interested in learning more about these enhancements can access the following resources:

Matter 1.3 specification and test plan

Matter 1.3 SDK Release

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SmartThings, Samsung’s global connected living platform, recently announced its expanded partnership with Philips Hue, a global leader in smart lighting, aimed at revolutionizing how users interact with their home entertainment systems. This collaboration introduces a series of exclusive updates and greater control of the Philips Hue Sync TV App through SmartThings, designed to elevate home automation and enhance control of light sync.

Enhanced Integration with the SmartThings App

SmartThings introduced features that gave new meaning to having a TV-centered smart home. This collaboration amplifies the TV’s role as the core of the smart home experience for families. Users gain seamless control over the Philips Hue Sync TV App from the SmartThings mobile application, unlocking unparalleled convenience and immersion.

The Philips Hue Sync TV App synchronizes lighting with the TV screen, elevating viewing or gaming experiences by adding immersive light experiences to complement what you’re watching/create an atmosphere. With SmartThings, users can adjust the brightness of their Philips Hue lights, switch between Video, Game, and Music mode, and even start or stop the light sync—all via their Galaxy mobile device without interrupting their show or gaming session.

This integration revolutionizes the entertainment experience, creating a connected, engaging, and intelligent environment for families to enjoy unforgettable moments together.

As part of SmartThings’ commitment to global smart home availability, the availability of Philips Hue Sync TV app will extend to additional countries, including Brazil, Hong Kong, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with SmartThings to empower users with greater control over their entertainment experiences,” said Jasper Vervoort, Business Leader Philips Hue at Signify. “The integration of Philips Hue Sync TV App into the SmartThings ecosystem allows users to create immersive multi-device entertainment routines, enhancing their smart home experiences like never before.”

Release and Compatibility

On the heels of the 2024 lineup, users can seamlessly activate this feature after installing the Philips Hue Sync app on their new TVs. This integration allows users to curate elaborate multi-device Entertainment Routines via SmartThings, synchronizing lighting, air purification, and other smart home devices to enhance their TV-watching environment.

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with Philips Hue to bring these transformative features to life,” said Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings US. “This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering seamless and innovative solutions that enrich the lives of our users, making their smart home experiences more immersive and enjoyable.

As SmartThings continues to push the boundaries of smart home technology, this partnership marks a significant milestone in redefining how users engage with their entertainment systems.

For More Information https://partners.smartthings.com/partners/philips-hue

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Analyzing the trajectory of Smart Home as a Service (SHaaS) within India’s Smart Home Automation domain, particularly focusing on subscription-based business models, we have engaged with industry experts to discern the unique challenges and opportunities present, especially in tier-two cities.

In recent times, there has been a burgeoning demand for the adoption of subscription-based business models across diverse segments. The attractiveness of the ‘subscription-based business model’ lies in its cost-effectiveness, user-friendly nature, and broad accessibility to a diverse consumer base.

This model is progressively permeating the Smart Home Automation segment in India. While it has proven successful abroad, its penetration in India is gradual, signifying a journey of significant growth.

Understanding Smart Home as a Service (SHaaS)

Smart Home as a Service, or SHaaS, is a service model where, instead of the consumer, the service provider takes charge of selecting, installing, maintaining, upgrading, and programming smart home devices. This service utilizes subscription-based business models, with consumers making monthly payments.

As per Coherent Market Insights, the Global Smart Home as a Service market is valued at US$ 11.3 Billion in 2023, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.11% from 2023 to 2030. This model leverages novel technologies such as connected devices, sensors, cloud intelligence, and social media, amalgamating essential services into a user-friendly App. This approach simplifies consumers’ lives, allowing service providers to offer seamless and straightforward experiences.

Smart Home as a Service revolves around three key aspects: Intelligence, Connectivity, and Functionality. These aspects collectively enable users to operate their smart homes efficiently, creating an environment that enhances their overall lifestyle.

Growth Drivers

As the middle-class population in India continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for smart home solutions. Subscription-based models make these technologies more accessible to a broader audience. Another important aspect is improvements in internet infrastructure and increased connectivity have facilitated the adoption of smart home devices.

There are various market surveys indicating various growth drivers, the surge in smartphone and tablet usage, spanning across all age groups and notably in emerging markets like India for the growth of SHaaS. Smart homes, designed to automate household appliances through embedded monitoring, are in demand for providing convenience, efficiency, safety, and security. The integration of cutting-edge security systems enhances safety measures, alerting homeowners about intrusions and enabling room-specific surveillance even in their absence. The heightened public concern for these aspects contributes to the growing popularity of smart homes.

The lighting control industry is witnessing notable growth, evident in the diversity of available products such as dimmers, timers, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, and relays. Manufacturers are now focusing on developing models with integrated data connectivity, eliminating the need for external protocols and communication. This innovation simplifies the user experience and enhances the seamless integration of lighting controls with home automation systems.

Sudip Saha, Managing Director and Co-Founder at Future Market Insights, an award-winning market research and consulting firm says, “A subscription-based business model has the potential to drive mass-market adoption of professional smart home automation systems in India. Smart home automation systems can be expensive upfront. A subscription model allows customers to access these systems with a lower initial investment, making them more affordable and accessible to a larger audience. By spreading the cost of smart home automation over a subscription period, customers can avoid the financial burden of a large upfront payment. This makes the technology more appealing to a broader range of consumers, including those in middle-income segments.”

Parth Shah, Founder, Chief Revenue Officer, Smart Node a product-based company specializing in Smart Home Automation solutions in India says “I’ve identified two types of subscription-based models in home automation prevalent in India: hardware as a service and software as a service. As per my observation, the adoption of hardware rental as a subscription-based model for home automation hasn’t gained significant traction in India yet. On the other hand, software-based subscriptions are being utilized by certain foreign brands operating in India. Convincing Indian consumers, especially the upper-middle-class demographic, to commit to recurring payments for full-featured subscriptions can be challenging. This challenge parallels the struggles faced by OTT platforms in securing long-term commitments from users in India.”

Adding his view Anirudh Bhaskaran, Industry Principal, Frost & Sullivan says, “A subscription-based business model in professional smart home automation can be a viable and popular option for the residential segment in India if vendors can devise a resilient model that is capable of shifting the fixed CAPEX to flexible OPEX with reasonable pricing options along with transparency in the subscription model structure, enhance value proposition through bundling services as well as through implementing local marketing strategies and strategic collaborations with key partners.” says Anirudh Bhaskaran, Industry Principal, Frost & Sullivan.

One of the pioneers in providing Smart Home as a Service is Aliste Technologies who have been in the industry for a more than a year and has around 5,000 plus clients. Anant Ohri, Co-Founder, Aliste Technologies says, “We have received a very positive response and we see a great potential in rental apartment. The homeowners don’t want to invest money as it is not their own apartment but instead they prefer opting for their Smart Home as Service. We have clients in various segments right from residential, commercial to hospitality industry.”

According to Anant they have a growing clientele in Delhi and Bengalure. They provide retrofit solution, App based controls and endless options for various monthly packages. Plus, their solution works with Alexa, Siri and Google Home. Aliste Technologies provides the coolest smart home tech at pocket-friendly subscription rates. The company provide automation service for a 2BHK at ₹ 449/month, for 1 Room package for 119 that Automate 2 Lights, 1 AC and 1 fan in a room.

According to Coherent Market Insights, Global Smart Home as a Service market Segmentation based on Service, the market is segmented into Managed, and Integrated Services. Out of which, integrated is expected to dominate the global market over the forecast period. Due to the rising demand and increased adoption of integrated services; the integrated service category is poised to experience consistent growth and maintain its predominant position throughout the projected period. Comparatively, the managed service sector is expected to command a smaller portion of the global smart home service market.

Segmented by Solution, the market encompasses Security and Access, Lighting and Window, Audio-Visual and Entertainment, Energy Management and Climate, and Integrated Solutions. Among these, the integrated solution segment holds a dominant stance. Following closely, the Security and Access solution sector is anticipated to secure the second-largest market share. Notably, the Audio-Visual and Entertainment segment is projected to outpace other segments in terms of growth rate.

Global and Local Service Providers 

Major Global players operating in the market include Ingersoll-Rand plc (Nexia), Vivint, Inc., Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc., The ADT Corporation, Telus Communications, Frontpoint Security Solutions, AT&T Inc., Johnson Controls, Inc., Comcast Corporation, Charter Communications (TWC), and CenturyLink, Inc. and Aliste Technologies and Airtel Xsteam Fibre to name a few.

Advantage and Accessibility 

Smart home technology can be expensive, with the cost of devices and installation being a significant barrier to entry. Subscription models allow customers to spread out the cost over time through monthly payments, making it more affordable for a broader range of consumers.

Many households are deterred by the high initial investment required for smart home systems. Subscription models typically provide the necessary hardware and installation as part of the package, reducing the upfront cost for customers. Subscription-based models often offer tiered packages with varying levels of features and services. Customers can start with a basic plan and upgrade as their needs and budget allow, making it a scalable solution that can adapt to individual circumstances.

Smart home devices require regular maintenance, updates, and sometimes even replacements. Subscription services often include ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring that the technology remains functional and up-to-date without extra costs or technical expertise from the consumer. Professional installation and customer support are included in many subscription-based packages. This ensures that customers can enjoy a hassle-free experience, as the technology is set up correctly and assistance is readily available when needed.

Highlight Features 

Subscribing to a service implies a level of trust that the provider will handle the security and privacy aspects of the technology. This assurance can be a significant factor in convincing consumers to adopt smart home systems, given concerns about data security and privacy.

Subscription services often offer a central platform or app that allows users to integrate and control various smart devices seamlessly. This simplifies the user experience, making it more appealing to the mass market, which may not have the technical expertise to manage multiple devices independently.

Subscription-based models incentivize providers to continually innovate and improve their offerings to retain customers. This results in access to the latest technology and features without the need for customers to frequently replace their devices.

Subscription models can be tailored to cater to different segments of the market, from budget-conscious consumers to those looking for high-end, premium features. This adaptability makes smart home technology accessible to a broader audience.

Subscription services offer flexibility in terms of contract lengths and payment options. This caters to a diverse audience with varying financial circumstances and preferences.

Sudip Saha, Managing Director and Co-Founder at Future Market Insights, “Localized Marketing and Partnerships: Implementing targeted marketing strategies and forming partnerships with local businesses can enhance the relevance and appeal of smart home automation systems in different regions of India. Localization is essential for understanding and addressing specific market needs. Subscription models often include trial periods or money-back guarantees. This reduces the perceived risk for customers who are unsure about adopting smart home technology, encouraging them to try the systems with confidence. Providers can design scalable infrastructure to accommodate a growing subscriber base. This ensures that the system can handle increased demand as more customers adopt smart home automation through the subscription model.”

Feasiblity of subscription-based business models for tier-two cities in India

“Tier-two cities may have lower awareness about smart home technology. Investments in education and awareness campaigns will be crucial to inform potential customers about the benefits and functionality of these systems. Some tier-two cities may have infrastructure limitations, including inconsistent internet connectivity or power supply. Ensuring that smart home systems are adaptable to varying infrastructure conditions is essential. Establishing a robust customer support infrastructure may be challenging, as tier-two cities may have fewer service centers. Ensuring prompt and efficient customer support is crucial for customer satisfaction. Understanding and addressing cultural differences and preferences in tier-two cities is essential for effective marketing and product positioning.” Says Parth Shah, Founder, Chief Revenue Officer, Smart Node.

Adding his insights Anirudh Bhaskaran, Industry Principal, Frost & Sullivan says, “Implementation of subscription-based business models for professional smart home automation systems in tier-two cities in India can become feasible if the ecosystem addresses some of the existing challenges in it. A few factors that would drive the adoption of professional smart home automation systems are the growing middle-income population with increasing disposable income, expansion of internet connectivity in tier-two cities and rising residential construction projects with whole-home solutions. However, some of the key challenges include potential affordability concerns, limited awareness of the benefits of smart home automation systems and lack of local technical support in tier-two cities. Professional smart home automation vendors can capitalise on the potential growth opportunities if they can address the challenges mentioned above.” Anirudh Bhaskaran, Industry Principal, Frost & Sullivan.

Being optimistic about the future Parth Shah, Founder, Chief Revenue Officer, Smart Node, says  “Currently, our consideration for a subscription model would be restricted to premium features. Crucially, the success of this subscription-based model will hinge on the value it provides to customers. For instance, charging for services that involve gathering energy data and offering predictive insights into energy usage for the month could be justified, given the substantial value it brings to the end-user. Ultimately, the success and demand for such a model will be intricately tied to the tangible benefits and value proposition it offers to consumers.” 

There are numerous challenges including cost sensitivity, infrastructure limitations, and a need for awareness. Yet, strategic recommendations like localised marketing, affordable pricing, robust customer support, local partnerships, and continuous innovation can pave the way for success. The key lies in addressing unique challenges and tailoring strategies. The SHaaS market holds immense potential for those ready to embrace it.

Click here to read full November issue : https://www.smarthomeworld.in/magazine-november2023/

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