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Google Home Unveils Its Latest Update That Changes Everything The Ultimate Alternative to Traditional WiFi
Google has taken a major step to redefine how we interact with smart home devices.
Its latest update for Google Home promises to solve one of the great challenges of these ecosystems, internet dependency.
With the new local control for Smart Home devices compatible with the Matter standard, the company seeks to offer a more comfortable and efficient experience.
The end of internet dependency
Until now, most smart homes depended on a stable internet connection to function. However, with the new Google Home Runtime integration, Matter-compatible devices can communicate directly with Google Nest hubs and speakers, Google TVs, and other devices without needing to connect to the internet.
This means that even if your WiFi network fails, you can continue to control your smart lights, locks, or thermostats using the Google Assistant. The implementation of this local functionality not only improves efficiency, but also eliminates one of the critical points of failure in Smart Homes.
In a Google blog post, they explain that this update marks an important step towards the unification of the smart home.
"We strongly believe in the potential of Matter to unify the smart home and are committed to its growth. That's why, together with Apple and Samsung, we are going beyond our existing commitments to further accelerate quality improvement," said Matt Van Der Staay, director of engineering for Google Home.
In addition to benefiting users, Google has also opened up new possibilities for third-party developers. With expanded access to the Home APIs, it is now possible to integrate Google Home devices and routines directly into third-party applications.
This opens up a range of possibilities to create more sophisticated automations that connect devices from different manufacturers. For example, a developer could program a routine that synchronizes the lights of one brand with a thermostat from another, optimizing energy use in the home.
To consolidate this vision, Google has announced a collaboration with MediaTek to develop a new chipset called Trinity (MT7903). This chip promises to be a game-changer in Smart Home technology, by integrating WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 6, and Thread into a single package.
Thread, a low-power mesh networking protocol, is essential to the Matter standard, allowing devices to communicate quickly and efficiently. Thanks to this chip, manufacturers will be able to simplify the production of compatible devices, reducing costs and development time.
In addition, Trinity will eliminate the need to purchase additional Thread-compatible routers, integrating these capabilities directly into the hardware of the devices. This will facilitate the mass adoption of Matter, making the connected home more accessible to everyone.
Although MediaTek revealed that this chip will be available from 2025, users can already take advantage of the benefits of local control with the latest update to Google Home.
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