Ikea is making large adjustments to its good dwelling lineup, introducing 20 new units supporting Matter-over-Thread that can work with HomeKit while not having an middleman hub.
Owners wanting good dwelling units have typically turned to Ikea for his or her linked ground lamps and audio system. Nevertheless, whereas helpful, a lot of the {hardware} requires middleman units just like the Dirigera hub to work with Apple HomeKit.
The furnishings producer intends to go large on good dwelling tech, and to additionally simplify connectivity on the similar time. Chatting with The Verge, Ikea’s David Granath stated that Ikea goes to be including significantly to its good dwelling lineup.
The relaunch of its good dwelling catalog may have all future merchandise supporting Matter-over-Thread. Over 20 good lights, sensors, and remotes are on the best way for the platform from January 2026.
A key change is that Matter and Threads assist as a substitute of Zigbee, as Matter-compatible {hardware} can also be appropriate with HomeKit, in addition to Amazon Alexa, Google Residence, and Samsung Sensible Issues. This implies customers will have the ability to join the brand new units as much as their Apple Residence with no hub in any respect.
The announcement was one thing that has been months within the making. In March, a regulatory submitting revealed {that a} Matter-over-Thread temperature and humidity sensor was on the best way.
Hub replace
Whereas the Dirigera hub is just not going to be wanted by all customers of Ikea’s new vary, the connective {hardware} will nonetheless have some updates.
At present, it solely helps Matter units that Ikea sells in its vary. However, with future updates and because the vary expands, the hub will assist different product classes.
Although it might not essentially be as helpful as earlier than because of Matter units with the ability to talk with a HomeKit good dwelling instantly, it nonetheless has some use.
The important thing one is with the ability to broaden the working footprint of the good dwelling, permitting for Ikea {hardware} to be positioned in additional places. This may be past the vary of different supportive good dwelling units with mesh connectivity and native Wi-Fi, as long as the units can contact the hub.
