One of the annoying limitations of Matter is that, often, you’re giving up features if you use a device in something like the Google Home app over another Matter app. But with Aqara’s Advanced Matter Bridging, that doesn’t have to be the case.
The Matter smart home standard makes it easier for smart home device to work locally and, frankly, better than they have in the past. Whether you know it or not, there’s a good chance there’s Matter-compatible hardware already in your smart home. Through its “Advanced Matter Bridging” feature, Aqara has built on the Matter standard with the ability to create automations and features for Matter devices that work on other apps.
When you link products to a compatible Aqara bridge, features that are usually exclusive to the Aqara app such as facial and gesture recognition and “conditions” (if this than that) after still operational when using another Matter app, such as the Google Home app.
The way this works is by converting “Scenes and Signals” from the Aqara app into virtual plugs and occupancy sensors that can be used by other apps. It’s a clever workaround to one of the biggest problems faced by the Matter standard as, usually, you lose everything but the most basic features when using a Matter app like Google Home in place of the manufacturer’s app as we’ve seen in smart plugs, doorbells, and more.
Aqara explains:
This feature is designed to bridge Aqara’s unique features and functionalities to third-party Matter platforms. It allows users to convert customized Scenes and Signals — created within the Aqara Home app — into virtual plugs and occupancy sensors, which can then be synchronized to other platforms via Matter. With this feature, users can bridge advanced device functionalities — previously exclusive to the Aqara ecosystem — such as on-device AI detection in Aqara cameras and fall detection in the FP2. Additionally, users can bridge advanced capabilities of Aqara’s automation engine, like power automation, which can trigger different automations based on a device’s real-time power consumption.
This functionality was first introduced on the Aqara Hub M3, a dedicated Matter hub that supports both Zigbee and Thread connections. It connects to your network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and also features 360-degree IR blasting, meaning you can also use it to turn traditional remote control devices – like TVs, fans, and air conditioners – into smart devices using an IR signal.
You can buy this all-in-one Aqara hub on Amazon in $109.99.
Now, many Aqara Matter controllers and Matter bridges support this function, allowing users to maximize the capabilities of their smart homes, regardless of the Matter platform they choose.
In this article, we recommend more Aqara hubs, helping you choose your suitable Aqara hubs to try this cutting-edge feature and fully enjoy a cross-platform smart home experience.
The Aqara Camera Hub G3 is a 2K camera with local AI object/face recognition and a spinning base for 360-degree viewing. It also has the ability to double as a Matter hub with Zigbee. With the advanced Matter bridging, users can synchronize the automations and exclusive features like facial recognition to Google Home and other Matter-compatible ecosystems.
Buy it now, only $85.49 on Amazon.
Camera Hub G5 Pro offers full-color night vision and 7-in-1 visual AI functions, all-around securing your home smartly. More than just a security camera, the G5 Pro is also a multi-protocol smart home hub for your outdoor space. It functions as a Matter Controller, Thread Border Router, and Matter Bridge/Zigbee hub, connecting and managing Aqara accessories and hundreds of third-party Matter devices. Featuring advanced Matter bridging, more home security automations can be enjoyed in other Matter-compatible platforms.
There are 2 versions, choose the PoE or Wi-Fi version based on your requirement.
The Wi-Fi version is $152.99 on Amazon.
The PoE version is $179.99 on Amazon.
Without too much budget to enter the smart home? Don’t miss the Aqara Hub M100. This is the most cost-effective hub you can find on the market. Acting as the brain of a smart home, the M100 connects up to 20 Zigbee devices and 20 Thread devices simultaneously, empowering entry-level users to build a powerful smart home. What’s more, it also supports advanced-Matter bridging, bringing more exclusive functions of Aqara products to users. It’s only $19,99 on Amazon.
More Aqara smart home products, click here: Aqara
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