Amazon was quick to commit to supporting the Matter smart home standard, and now it’s clear when (and if) you can expect the technology to hit your home. The company has confirmed that 17 Echo devices, outlets, switches and bulbs will support Matter over WiFi in December, with 30 Echo and Eero products offering support early next year. You’ll need Android to set it up first (Apple only released Matter-compatible iOS 16.1 days ago), and the focus will be on lighting. However, support for iOS, Thread and other smart home technologies is also expected in early 2023.
Support will extend to years-old Echo products, including the second-generation Echo Plus (pictured here). You can see the full compatibility list below. You might not have to replace your gear just to make sure you’re ready for Matter.
You won’t have to be too picky about the phones and apps you use. Amazon is partnering with Samsung to let you use Alexa or SmartThings to set up Matter hardware. An upcoming Alexa framework will create a simple, unified Thread network that will allow control through either company’s platforms.
As a result, Amazon is changing its Works with Alexa (WWA) certifications to add support for Matter. A new device that receives the WWA badge will need to support Matter. Existing hardware that receives a Matter update will not need to go through the program again, although it will need to pass Matter certification and will still need to meet Amazon’s WWA requirements.
This still leaves you the option of replacing particularly old Echo equipment, and it’s possible that some of your connected home components may not support Matter at all. However, Amazon’s compatibility plans suggest you won’t have to overhaul your entire setup.
Update 11/3 at 11:30 a.m. ET: Amazon shared the full list of Echo devices with Matter support back in December, and it covers a range of speakers, displays and peripherals released over the past few years.
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Echo (3rd and 4th generation)
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Echo Dot (3rd, 4th and 5th generation, with or without clock)
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Echo Plus (2nd Gen)
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Echo Studio
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Echo Show 5 (1st and 2nd generation)
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Echo Show 8 (1st and 2nd generation)
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Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
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Echo Flex
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Echo input
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