[Special Feature] Smart motorized blinds that support Matter over Thread and are compatible with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and other smart home platforms.

Now I want to createSmart Home / Smart FamilyThe biggest challenge with (Smart Home) is "how to integrate and apply the various products?"

Different brands of smart home accessories use different wiring methods, which not only requires the purchase of additional bridging devices but also limits product selection; smart home platforms such as Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and SmartThings are also incompatible with each other.

To address this issue, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) released a new smart home connectivity standard at the end of 2022. Matter 1.0Regardless of how the accessories were originally connected, various smart home accessories can be used across brands and platforms through Matter.

However, while waiting for more Matter products to be released, it is advisable to pay attention to the connection methods supported by the accessory when purchasing smart home accessories in order to select products suitable for the current smart home environment.

Let's take a look at some common communication protocols, their advantages and disadvantages, and what exactly Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard, is!

How are smart home accessories connected to each other?

In addition to the familiar Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, smart home connectivity options include ZigBee and the newer Thread.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Thread are all "communication protocols." Communication protocols enable smart home accessories to communicate smoothly with each other and execute commands when they are connected.

When different digital electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smart speakers, microwave ovens, robot vacuum cleaners, etc., need to exchange information through network connections, there must be a common language of communication so that the devices can understand each other's meaning.

Just as we communicate in English with people who only speak English and switch to Chinese with people who only speak Chinese, humans switch to different languages ​​to communicate depending on the other person. Electronic devices do the same; therefore, communication protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Thread are the communication languages ​​between computers.

Just as a person can be fluent in multiple languages, an electronic device can simultaneously support multiple communication protocols and communicate with other computers using different protocols at the same time.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of common wiring methods in smart homes?

1. Bluetooth

Connect your phone directly to smart home accessories via Bluetooth; the accessories will operate even without internet access.

However, Bluetooth has a relatively short transmission range, so the phone and accessory cannot be too far apart, otherwise the signal will be lost. Accessories connected via Bluetooth will also have a slower response time than those using other wired connections.

2. Wifi

Simply pair your smart home accessories with your wireless router (also known as a Wi-Fi router). However, when many accessories are connected to the same wireless router, it may overload the router's performance, causing the accessories to become less responsive.

If you want to use this connection method, your home wireless router must have good performance and a strong Wi-Fi signal. Also, if you want to replace the wireless router later, all smart home accessories will need to be reconfigured and added.

3. Bridge

A bridge, also known as a hub, connects smart home accessories to your home's wireless router.

The function of a bridge is to "translate". ZigBee, mentioned earlier in the article, is a connection method specifically designed for smart home accessories. Therefore, if you want ZigBee products to connect to a Wi-Fi network, you will need the help of a bridge.

The advantage of using a bridge is that it can reduce the load on the wireless router. If you need to replace the wireless router later, you only need to pair the original bridge with the new wireless router, and the smart home accessories connected to the original bridge will also be moved to the new network without having to reconfigure them one by one.

MSBT Mantle Chamber ButtyMotorized BlindsAlternatively, you can choose the MotionBlinds system, developed in Europe. Simply plug a small Wi-Fi bridge (about the size of a USB flash drive) into a power source, download the MotionBlinds App, and follow the steps in the App to connect to your wireless router (requires 2.4G Wi-Fi) to complete the installation and setup of all your motorized curtains.

More information 👉🏻 Motorized curtains that can be remotely controlled via Android/iOS phones! The MotionBlinds App makes operating smart curtains easy, bringing smarter convenience to your life.

4. Thread

① What is a Thread?

Thread is a relatively new communication protocol with advantages such as low power consumption and low latency, which can extend the battery life of battery-powered accessories.

• Thread connection methodNo additional gateway/bridge equipment is required.No need to worry that accessories being too far from your home hub will affect the connection quality.
• Thread will automatically find the nearest available accessory and connect to it, and all accessories will eventually form a mesh network.
• The more Thread smart home accessories you have in your home, the more stable the entire mesh network connection will be.

Taking a three-story detached house as an example, all smart home accessories in the house support Thread connectivity. The central hub on the first floor will automatically connect to the accessories on the second floor, and the accessories on the second floor will automatically connect to the accessories on the third floor, thus forming a stable smart home network for the entire detached house.

② Which smart home accessories support Thread connectivity?

There are now more and more smart home accessories on the market that use Thread connectivity, with Apple HomeKit accessories being the most common.Set up Apple Home HubAfter selecting either HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K, HomeKit accessories will automatically connect via Thread.

In addition to the smart motorized blinds mentioned earlier in the bridge section, MSBT also offers HomeKit-specific blinds, developed in Europe. Eve MotionBlinds System.MantleBet's HomeKit smart motorized blinds support Thread connectivity..

📍Note: When "Home Hub is not set up", HomeKit accessories will be connected via Bluetooth instead of Thread. In this case, if you want to control HomeKit accessories through the Home App, you must first turn on Bluetooth and connect the accessories.

When purchasing HomeKit accessories, be sure to check the packaging for the words "Works with Apple HomeKit" and the "Built On Thread" label.

Because Apple places great importance on user security and privacy, if manufacturers want to launch smart home products that support HomeKit, they must design them in full accordance with Apple's extremely high encryption and security standards and pass through numerous hurdles to obtain "Works with Apple HomeKit" authorization certification.

HomeKit data is not linked to the cloud, but stored on your personal Apple ID. All data is transmitted end-to-end in encrypted form through the device. Furthermore, Apple does not collect accessory data. In today's world where security and privacy are increasingly important, this is a very worthwhile advantage.

For more information on HomeKit and its advantages, please see below 👉🏻 Apple HomeKit automates smart curtains; easily create a smart home with your iPhone/HomePod mini.

Smart home accessories can be used across platforms. Matter

1. What is Matter?

The newest release at the end of 2022Matter 1.0, the smart home connectivity standardRegardless of how the accessories were originally connected, they can be used across platforms through Matter. Even if you use smart home products from different brands in your home in the future, they will be compatible and interoperable.

Matter, the smart home connectivity standard, uses Wi-Fi and Thread as its basic network technologies: Wi-Fi connects smart home devices to the cloud, while Thread provides a reliable and energy-efficient mesh network for home accessories.

Currently, more than 280 companies have participated in Matter, including Apple, Google, and Amazon. Apple's iOS 16.1, released in November 2022, already supports Matter.

2. What are the advantages of using Matter?

In the future, there will be no need to carefully check which communication protocols the accessories support, as long as...Choosing Matter-certified smart home accessories ensures compatibility with your existing smart home system.With a wider variety of products to choose from, you don't have to worry about buying the wrong one and being unable to use it.

Because a unified connection standard has finally been established, the development cost of smart home accessories has been reduced, and there is no need to purchase additional bridging devices. We can expect the entry barrier for smart homes to become lower and lower in the future.

Other. Google Home Curtains Link Method

If the smart curtains support Matter, they can be directly connected to Google Home.The linking method is as follows: 

1. Open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Then tap "Scan QR code"
3. Scan the included Matter QR code from Matter-enabled smart curtains.
4. Tap "I agree" to connect the smart curtains to your Google account.
5. After the device is successfully connected, please select the room where you want to place the Matter-supporting device and name the device.

* If this is your first time setting up Matter-enabled smart curtains, please use the Google Home app.
* Additional purchases are availableGoogle's central hub that supports MatterThe central device can then be used to control the smart curtains.

Reference documents: Use the Google Home app to set up and manage Matter-enabled devices./Google devices that support Matter

Eve MotionBlinds HomeKit Smart Curtain Unboxing and Review

Apple fans should have heard of or seen this before. Apple fans Instructional videos or articles!

Originally created as a gathering place for fellow Apple enthusiasts, APPLEFANS regularly provides Apple-related news and detailed expert tutorials, as well as covering 3C product unboxing, App reviews, and opinion sharing.

Let's play around with our favorite tech products, share our passion for technology, and experience the inspiration that Apple brings to people 🍎

Further Reading 🔍 Motorized Blinds installation method

Where can I buy Eve MotionBlinds HomeKit smart motorized blinds?

Selected European-developed Eve MotionBlinds The MSBT HomeKit smart motorized blinds system supports Thread connectivity and can be used on four major smart home platforms via the Matter protocol:

• Apple Home
• Google Home
• Amazon Alexa
• Samsung SmartThings

Currently, there are various HomeKit smart blind styles available, including zebra blinds, roller blinds, Venetian blinds, and honeycomb blinds, all of which feature...Hand-operated electricFunctionality, all styles can be found in MSBT Official WebsiteInquire about prices and purchase online:

HomeKit Smart Electric Zebra CurtainAlso known as a dimmable roller blind. The striped fabric creates a mesmerizing lattice effect as it rolls up and down.

▸ Yoka Double Roller Blinds　Blackout
▸ Sima Double Roller Blinds　Plain／Linen
▸ Seda Double Roller Blinds　Silky Sheen
▸ Nonya Double Roller Blinds　Vein Design

HomeKit Smart Electric Roller BlindIt is space-saving, easy to operate, and also has functions such as adjusting light, shading, and decoration.
▸ Allbright - Roller Blinds Translucent mesh / Semi-transparent / Full blackout
▸ Aibo Roller Blinds　PVC sunscreen
▸ Sakin Roller Blinds　Plain Blackout
▸ Emmi Roller Blinds　Texture Blackout
▸ Tiken Roller Blinds　Plain
▸ Zaiki Roller Blinds　Texture
▸ Zicy Roller Blinds　Printing
▸ Aibo Roller Blinds　PVC sunscreen
▸ Natumat Roller Blinds　Woven Paper
▸ Honyi Roller Blinds　Recycled Fabric

HomeKit SmartElectric Venetian blindsAdjusting the blade angle provides light control, shading, and ventilation.
▸ Lavelle American Hardwood Louvers
▸ Pimu wooden Venetian blinds, matte finish/White parasol tree/Wood-plastic composite
▸ Lansin Beaded Aluminum Venetian Blinds 16/25/50mm blade
▸ Fenla Fabric Venetian Blinds

HomeKit Smart電動蜂巢簾| The curtain features a simple and elegant design with a hollow structure, which helps maintain a constant indoor temperature and insulation.
▸ Vali Honeycomb Shades　Light Filtering / Full blackout
▸ Celaro - Honeycomb Shades　Translucent mesh / Semi-transparent / Full blackout

Customize your home's curtain design with MSBT.
▌VariousCurtain Types and StylesOnline selection and customization
▌Curtain Style Gallery / Real-world Case Photos
▌Latest News / Appointment Services / Curtain Consultation
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