Testing Matter samples with Alexa and Apple devices

[Marco Russi]

Hello,

I'd like to test Matter samples with my Apple Homepod mini and Alexa Echo devices.

Is it possible? I found some instructions in the CHIP repo on github (github.com/.../darwin.md) but no luck to get anything to work so far.

I can successfully run and test the Matter samples (provided with the nRF SDK) with my OT border router based on a Raspberry Pi 4. 

Should I buy any particular license, membership? Does anyone provide support about it?

Thank you.

Marco

[AHaug]

Hi,

Is it possible? I found some instructions in the CHIP repo on github

This is the correct guide for testing Matter with Apple, however I don't see the devices you're mentioning specifically listed in the supported devices on the guide. I will ask the Matter team if anyone there can verify if the mini-version of the HomePod is supported in that guide as well as if there is any guides that is ment for the Amazon Alexa Echo devices

Should I buy any particular license, membership? Does anyone provide support about it?

The Matter specification can be downloaded from the Connectivity Standard Alliances (CSA) pages (https://csa-iot.org/all-solutions/matter/), and you're not required to have a license for using it. If you want, you may join the CSA for some perks, but again, it's not mandatory. As for support in general, as long as you're developing with our SDK and our products, we in Nordic Semiconductor will provide support in throughout your entire process of your development.

Kind regards,
Andreas

[AHaug]

Hi,

Some updates here after discussing it with the team:

• The OG HomePod does not support openThread but as far as I can see it has WiFi support so you should be able to test Matter over WiFi with the OG HomePod.
• The HomePod Mini does support openThread, so you should be able to use that to test 
• The Alexa Echo does not currently have any guides for testing with Matter, both with our SDK and in the ProjectCHIP repo, but the 4th gen should have openThread as well as WiFi support and the older versions should have WiFi support so you should be able to integrate them in a Matter ecosystem

When it comes to testing our samples with these devices, we currently don't have any guides for how to do this, but you may use our devices and Matter samples in a Matter ecosystem together with the mentioned devices above.

I hope this clarifies my first answer. Let me know if you have any follow ups!

Kind regards,
Andreas

[Marco Russi]

Hi Andreas,

thank you very much for your help. 

I have a HomePod Mini and Amazon Echo 4th gen which support Thread both. I bought them just for this purpose. You research confirms that so thank you again

I am struggling to make it work but I honestly have to spend more time on that.

I am planning to use your nRF52840 chipset for this project so I will appreciate your support on the final steps (once all works) such certification and market release. Will you (Nordic support) be able to help me on final certification and ant eventual final steps before market launch?

Thank you.

[AHaug]

Hi,

Marco Russi said:

Will you (Nordic support) be able to help me on final certification and ant eventual final steps before market launch?

We will do our best to find the resources you need and provide information about the steps you need to do, but we can't do the final certification in itself for the product as that procedure has to be done through other organs than us. As an example, here's a resource regarding Matter device certification

What we will and can do if you query us with Devzone tickets is help you with finding the correct resources for developing and answer any eventual questions you may have related to the project as well as help you debug your application if you need some additional eyes to look into an issue you're facing. In addition to the developing/debugging aspect, we will also do our best to help you with hardware questions as well as pcb design review if needed. 

Kind regards,
Andreas