Just in time for the new heating season, Eve is launching its previously announced Thermo Control temperature sensor (link). This allows up to five radiator controllers (Eve Thermo) from the manufacturer to be connected into a group, which then react to temperature measurements and settings from Eve Thermo Control. Provided they are 4th generation radiator controllers with Matter-capable firmware. The free software update to upgrade the corresponding Eve Thermos will be released at the same time. In practice, this creates a local heating control system that can be conveniently operated using two sensor buttons on the Thermo Control. The integrated display with electronic ink (E-Ink) shows the actual and setpoint temperature without the need for a smartphone or other device in everyday life. Once set up, the group functions independently.
The first product with Matter Bindings
What makes this teamwork special is the fact that it is the first practical application of Matter Bindings. Eve Thermo and Thermo Control establish a direct connection and communicate with each other locally via Thread radio – without any further involvement of a hub. The Apple HomePod, for example, for example, is only required for commissioning and integration into the domestic Matter Fabric. After that, the connections work even if the internet or the smart home hub should fail. Bindings are envisaged in the standard, such as for light switches, but they have not yet been used. Most Matter platforms do not even provide for their installation. Read more in the article “What is a Matter Binding?”
At present, only Apple allows devices to be assigned all the necessary access rights for a Binding in its Fabric. However, the Apple Home app does not support this process itself, which is why the manufacturer’s Eve app is required. The fact that it is only available for iOS also restricts the use of Eve Thermo Control.
Eve Systems says it is working on an Android version of the app. However, for the Thermo Control to work in Matter ecosystems such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, the platforms must also move. An example of the standard’s current dilemma: Intended to overcome system boundaries, it currently emphasizes differences rather than similarities. Because not every solution that supports Matter has the same range of functions.
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