The smart home standard gets a much-needed boost
Matter support has begun rolling out to Google’s Nest Thermostat, meaning that Apple Home users can finally use the device without the need for any other hardware.
Announced on the Google Nest Community blog, the move means that the smart thermostat becomes the first to support the new smart home standard. The rollout is set to be completed over the next few weeks.
With support on board, it means those with a Nest Thermostat can adjust the temperature, control fans, and change the mode all from the Apple Home app, as well as ask Siri to do so.
As is standard for the platform, this all means the thermostat can also talk with (and be controlled by) any other Matter-compatible devices. This means it can work with smart sensors from other brands, provided you have them all aligned.
It’s not all versions of the Nest Thermostat that are in line to receive support, though, we should add – this all applies to the 2020 model exclusively.
According to The Verge, the company is exploring bringing support to its other models – the original Nest Learning Thermostat, as well as the Nest Thermostat E – but there’s nothing concrete just yet.
The outlet also notes that all this will be possible via a Matter pairing code from the Google Home app once the update has rolled out, allowing users to pair the Nest Thermostat with other Matter-compatible apps.
With only the Android version of the Google Home app currently able to access Matter, though, and the iOS app awaiting an update, this currently makes it a little tricky to add the device to Apple Home.
In order to add it to Apple Home at the moment, then, you’ll have to take the Matter pairing code from the thermostat itself.
