Google has announced that its smart home APIs are now accessible to all developers. One major change Matter is introducing to the smart home space is the ability for local control of devices. This means devices like light bulbs won't need to connect to the cloud when you ask your voice assistant to control them. While some systems already offer local control, Matter will make it easier for all platforms to adopt it.
This week, Google revealed that full local control for Matter devices has been added to its Google Home hubs through Home Runtime. This allows Google Nest hubs, speakers, Chromecasts, Android 14-powered Google TVs, and certain LG TVs to connect and control Matter devices locally.
Jeannie Zhang, a Google Home product manager, explained to The Verge that local control ensures higher reliability, privacy, and lower latency when users control their Matter devices. This is a big shift for a platform that traditionally relied on cloud connectivity for control. Now, if your internet goes down, Google Assistant should still be able to turn on your lights.
Google also shared initiatives to help developers create more Matter-compatible products, including collaborations with the Connectivity Standards Alliance to simplify the certification process for Matter devices. Additionally, Google has partnered with MediaTek to create a new chip that integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and Thread, making it more affordable for device manufacturers to incorporate Thread into their products.
Moreover, Google is making its Home APIs available to all developers. These APIs will allow developers to integrate Google Home devices and automation features into their apps, focusing on building products instead of integrations.
Originally announced at Google I/O, the Home APIs were in an early access phase for companies like Eve, Nanoleaf, LG, and others. Now, the Android version of the Home APIs is in public beta, with the iOS version coming soon. The APIs include:
Device and Structure APIs: Provide access to over 600 million devices already connected to Google Home, offering a unified interface for managing and controlling cloud-connected and Matter devices, enabling local control, broad device support, and custom Matter clusters.
Commissioning API: Simplifies device setup with Fast Pair, allowing Matter devices to be commissioned directly within apps and ensuring compatibility with Google Assistant and the Google Home ecosystem.
Automation API: Provides developers the tools to create and manage home automations within their apps, leveraging Google’s AI-driven capabilities for personalized home experiences.
These features help developers build apps that integrate seamlessly with Google Home’s platform, speeding up development. However, there's a risk if Google ever withdraws API access, similar to when it discontinued its Works with Nest program. Despite this, Google seems to be taking a more careful and strategic approach with its smart home ecosystem, making such a move unlikely.