Matter, the ambitious smart home standard promising seamless interoperability, is poised to expand its reach to include speakers. Currently, smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest act as Matter controllers, capable of managing other Matter devices, but not being controlled themselves by other ecosystems. This new development aims to change that, designating speakers as a distinct Matter device type, unlocking a range of new functionalities. This initiative, spearheaded by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) and Amsterdam-based startup Legato, envisions speakers playing a crucial role in a more ambient and responsive smart home experience.
The integration of speakers into the Matter standard aims to create a more dynamic and informative smart home environment. Imagine your speakers announcing the arrival of a visitor at the doorbell, notifying you of completed laundry cycles, or sounding alarms triggered by smoke detectors. Beyond mere notifications, Matter aims to unify the control of music playback, allowing users to control any Matter-compatible speaker from any Matter-enabled app, regardless of the brand or ecosystem. This cross-platform compatibility promises to simplify the user experience and break down the walled gardens currently separating different smart home platforms.
While the core concept of speakers within Matter has existed since its inception under Media Device Types, the functionality was limited, primarily serving TVs and streaming devices. The current effort focuses on dedicated streaming speakers, aiming to establish a richer notification system and more comprehensive control. This will entail developing features for audio source selection, volume adjustment, playback controls, and integration with smart home scenes, enabling automated speaker behavior based on various triggers and events. This would be a substantial upgrade from the current basic on/off and volume control available through Matter.
However, the realization of this vision faces several hurdles. The technical specifications are still under development, and a concrete timeline for implementation remains undetermined. While the integration of existing smart speakers like HomePods and Echo devices as Matter device types remains a technical possibility, it appears unlikely given the strategic interests of the companies involved. Apple, Google, and Amazon are heavily invested in their proprietary ecosystems and music services, suggesting they may be reluctant to fully embrace interoperability for their speaker products.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of Matter-enabled speakers, particularly for third-party manufacturers, are significant. Legato, a startup with a team boasting Sonos and Apple alumni, is playing a central role in this development. Their software platform, LegatoXP, aims to simplify the creation of smart speakers, offering a common framework for multiroom music and Matter compatibility. This could empower smaller manufacturers to compete more effectively with the subsidized offerings of tech giants, fostering innovation and potentially driving down prices.
LegatoXP employs a real-time operating system (RTOS) architecture, a lightweight and cost-effective alternative to Linux, typically used in IoT devices. This allows for the creation of more affordable Wi-Fi speakers with enhanced bandwidth for audio, bridging the gap between inexpensive Bluetooth speakers and more sophisticated smart speakers. Legato’s vision is to democratize whole-home audio by making it more accessible and affordable, removing the dependence on high-end speakers or ad-subsidized hardware. With Matter acting as a catalyst, this initiative could reshape the smart speaker landscape, empowering consumers with greater choice and flexibility in building their connected homes.
