Well known for its low-cost home automation devices, the Chinese manufacturer Itead has just announced a new Sonoff Mini R4M compatible Matter. A variation of the current Mini R4 Wi-Fi which, in addition to being ultra compact, will therefore be compatible with the new specification for the connected home.
With the Sonoff Mini R4M, Itead signs its first Matter device
New Sonoff Mini R4M will be as compact as the Mini R4 already available, but it has the advantage of being Matter compatible. Calling on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fiit is quite logically also equipped with a chip Bluetooth LE, a necessary prerequisite for the installation of a Matter device since it facilitates the procedure. This is about the only difference with the previous version, but a major difference for some users.
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The first Matter-compatible Sonoff module – © Les Alexiens
Indeed, thanks to Matter, the Sonoff Mini R4M can be used directly with certain platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home or Samsung SmartThings. While most already offered compatibility via their skills, this is a major change for HomeKit users who will now be able to use them directly without going through HomeBridge.
These micro-modules very affordable are indeed very interesting for connecting lighting at low cost by placing them in the center pots or behind traditional switches. The Sonoff Mini R4 also makes it easy to connect back and forth, which not all connected modules allow. And Matter is particularly interesting for devices of this type since their functionality is reduced to simple on/off, so you don’t lose any functionality by not using the application from its manufacturer.
We do not yet know the price of the new Sonoff Mini R4M, but there is no doubt that, as usual, Itead will offer us a device at a very reasonable price and quite close to Sonoff Mini R4 which is currently offered at 13.99€ at Domadoo.
