SmartThings gets Matter 1.4 support for water heaters, heat pumps, and more

Samsung’s smart home platform SmartThings now works with Matter 1.4, the latest version of the interoperable smart home standard, adding compatibility with things like water heaters, heat pumps, and solar panels that use the spec. The company has also introduced new smart home automation triggers, as well as a broadcast feature for SmartThings-connected speakers.

Matter 1.4 makes it easier to use one device with multiple platforms at once, and also adds more granular control. While the 1.3 spec added support for controlling robot vacuums, with 1.4, your smart home platform can direct them to clean a specific room. However, support for much of the spec is optional. We’ll learn more about how Samsung is implementing it later, but for now, here’s what it mentions in its release:

The latest version of the standard includes a wide range of energy management devices — such as water heater, heat pump, solar power device, battery storage device, mounted on/off control switch and mounted dimmable load control device.

Along with the Matter update, Samsung has made it possible to broadcast voice messages through SmartThings-connected speakers from the SmartThings app, whether you’re in or out of your home. It also updated SmartThings routines so that you can use recurring events to trigger something, such as a smart bulb changing colors on someone’s birthday. Samsung also says SmartThings can now automatically do things like turn off your lights or open your curtains based on your actual sleep and wake times — if you have a paired Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring.