No more need to use the internet to control Google Home home automation devices at home

Controlling your home automation devices without going through a remote server in the cloud is one of the promises of Matter, the common protocol supposed to interconnect all the chapels of the smart home. But as with everything related to this technology, manufacturers must integrate it into their platforms, which may take a little time. Google implemented it in its Home platform.

The user of a device control hub compatible with Google Home will be able to control a bulb, a socket or any compatible product Matter locally, without using the internet. It’s true that going around the planet three times to turn on the light in the next room doesn’t make much sense… The search engine has deployed this new feature in more than 40 million hubs: Google Nest , Chromecast, Android TV box running Android 14 or certain LG televisions.

Matter at the controls

The advantage for the user is obvious. Even in the event of an internet outage, it is able to turn off or on the light or a scene by asking Google Assistant — as long as all these devices are within Wi-Fi range. Obviously, this will require see for yourself, because although home automation is fantastic, it is also a lot of trial and error and frustration! And this, despite Matter who has to put some order into all this mess.

Google wants to appear as the good citizen of Matter. In addition to supporting local control, the company is working with MediaTek on a new Trinity chip combining Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and a Thread chip, the low-power network that is one of the pillars of Matter. Manufacturers of home automation products will be able to use this chip, which the two partners promise as “ more affordable ».

Google is finally opening the programming interfaces (API) of the Home platform to developers. The announcement was made during Google I/O last May, attracting the interest of nearly 2,000 developers. The beta version is now available for Android, and in a few months for iOS. These APIs are the essential toolboxes for developing apps and home automation products that are better integrated with Google Home… and therefore with Matter.