At IFA 2022[1], Eve[2] hosted a demo of one of their HomeKit-enabled[3] smart plugs using Matter[4] to successfully communicate with a Google Nest Hub[5]. This is a big step forward in the smart home world because this is the first time a Google Hub has ever been able to connect natively with an Eve (HomeKit[6]) smart plug.
Also: The two smart devices I will never install in my house[7]
Currently, these devices aren't readily compatible with each other. Some tinkerers set up a bridge[8], like HomeBridge[9], or an automation via IFTTT[10] to get incompatible devices like these to work with each other. But this requires work, time, and sometimes basic programming knowledge.
Eve was one of the participants to make big announcements for the smart home world. As a company that manufactures smart home products[11] with native support for HomeKit, Eve also announced a lineup of new devices along with their demonstration of an implementation of Matter, the new connectivity standard of the IoT.
Also: Matter is coming fall 2022[12]
Google[13] and Amazon[14], along with other big players, have stood behind Matter since its inception and are prepared to support the new connectivity standard once it is available, which could be as early as the end of this year.
Several companies are developing devices and updates to incorporate Matter when it's ready, but this is the first time we've seen it work in the real-world.
Essentially, it won't matter if you use Alexa, Google Home[15], SmartThings, or