Gear News of the Week: Matter 1.5 adds smart home camera support, Gemini comes to Android Auto

The promise Interoperability for your smart home gadgets topic It was supposed to be a slow process, but it is Start deliveryThe addition of cameras in version 1.5 may be its biggest win yet. The Communications Standards Alliance (CSA) says the latest version supports all types of cameras, so we’re talking Internal surveillance cameras, External surveillance cameras, Video doorbells, Baby monitorsand Pet cameras.

This can dramatically improve your ripping scene, allowing you to easily add and access your cameras on any platform you choose. It’s also something that could be introduced in a software update, so some cameras you already own may get Matter support.

You might be concerned about limitations, but the list of supported features is impressive, including video and audio streaming, two-way communication, local and remote access, multiple streams, zoom and tilt controls, and detection and privacy zones. There’s also support for continuous or event-based recording, either locally or in the cloud. What it won’t handle is how to manage that storage, which means some camera manufacturers will still require you to use their cloud-based subscription models.

It is pleasing that there are no restrictions on the resolution, unlike Secure Video for Apple HomeKitOr limitations of AI detection features. Matter uses WebRTC technology, with remote access via the STUN and TURN protocols, meaning manufacturers can choose to implement end-to-end encryption of the footage. TCP transfer support is designed to allow for more efficient and reliable transfer of more data, such as video camera production, reducing the load on your Wi-Fi network and impacting your camera’s battery life.

While this is very exciting news and the potential backward compatibility is commendable, there’s no telling when you’ll see it in your home camera. The big three: Apple, Amazon, and Google have yet to announce any plans to adopt Matter in their cameras.

Matter 1.5 isn’t just about cameras, it’s also revamping support for locks, from garage doors to… Smart window shadesallowing for different movement types and configurations. There is also support for a soil sensor to measure humidity and temperature and possibly operate water valves and material-based irrigation systems.

Enhanced power management features are the final addition. Matter 1.5 enables devices to exchange data about energy prices, tariffs and grid operation, giving you a picture of the true cost of your devices in energy use, cost and carbon impact. EV charging has also been enhanced, with charging status reporting and bi-directional charging being able to be enabled From vehicle to network Blueprints for the future.

while Matter 1.5 specifications are now availableit will take some time for developers to adopt it and get their devices certified by the CSA. Expect some announcements at CES 2026.Simon Hill

Google launches Gemini app on Android Auto

Google has been gradually replacing its long-standing Google Assistant with its augmented Gemini AI chatbot on all of its platforms over the past year. After posting it on Wearing OS smart watches And recently, And add it directly to Google Mapsthe company is bringing it to Android Auto. Google says the rollout will happen in the coming months to any Android Auto users who upgrade from Google Assistant to Gemini on their phones.