## IKEA Enhances Smart Home Experience with Matter Support and Advanced Lighting Control
IKEA has taken a significant step forward in the smart home technology race by introducing an update to its IKEA Home smart app for iOS users. The latest version, 1.27.1, includes two exciting features: compatibility with Matter – the new smart home connectivity standard – and a fresh lighting feature designed to improve the user experience further.
### Integration with Matter
The most noteworthy feature of the update is the addition of Matter bridge support, specifically for IKEA’s DIRIGERA hub. The integration with Matter, an open-source, secure, and royalty-free connectivity standard, is aimed at simplifying smart home setups. This initiative enables a more seamless and interoperable environment where smart devices from different manufacturers can communicate effortlessly.
This update follows a beta testing phase that took place earlier this year, where select customers were given the opportunity to explore this new functionality. With the release of version 1.27.1, the Matter support is now available to all iOS app users. However, it’s important to note that this functionality is currently restricted to smart lighting solutions and is only compatible with the DIRIGERA hub, not the older TRADFRI gateway.
The Matter bridge support means users can now integrate non-IKEA Zigbee devices, such as the Philips Hue Smart 75W A19 LED Bulb, directly into their IKEA smart home environment. As feedback continues to pour in, the company has plans to extend Matter compatibility to other smart home devices in the near future.
### Preset Lighting Features
The update also introduces a dynamic lighting preset system. These presets enable the automatic adjustment of smart lighting brightness depending on the time of day. For instance, there could be a wake-up preset that slowly ramps up the intensity of the lights over a span of thirty minutes, mimicking a natural sunrise and leading to a gentler wake-up experience.
The lighting presets can be effortlessly configured through The Workshop section located within the System settings page of the app. This intuitive approach to customizing home lighting showcases IKEA’s commitment to enhancing the user’s daily routine and overall well-being.
### Availability
Given the iOS-centric nature of this update, Android users are inevitably curious about when these features will make their way to other platforms. However, the timeline for the Android update rollout remains unspecified at this point.
### Conclusion
IKEA’s latest app update marks a significant enhancement for individuals invested in creating a connected and harmonious smart home ecosystem. With advanced Matter bridge support and intelligent lighting presets, homeowners are empowered with more control over their living spaces, all directed from the convenience of their iOS devices. As smart technology continues to evolve, IKEA appears to be committed to staying on the cutting edge, providing customers with sophisticated and user-friendly home automation options.
