Aqara teased us concerning the new Hub M3 final yr and now it’s been handled to an official unveiling over in Vegas at CES 2024.
The Aqara Hub M3 is the Chinese language manufacturers first Matter controller; earlier Aqara Hubs merely act as a Matter bridge with the intention to get its huge array of smart home gadgets up and operating together with your Matter smart home.
And what’s extra, the M3 it’s a Thread border router too.
In order that’s the total Matter controller / Thread border router combo; that means that it’s not simply Aqara gadgets could be managed, however any Matter gadgets from any manufacturers.
Taking issues even additional, and making the Hub M3 a real (cut-price) rival to the likes of the Aeotec SmartThings Hub and the Homey Professional, Aqara can be throwing twin band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and infrared into the combo too.
After all, Zigbee is on board too and the M3 also can nonetheless act as a Matter bridge for non-native Matter Aqara gadgets.
The inclusion of a two-way 360° infrared blaster means you could possibly get you AC and AV tools singing and dancing in your Matter smart home.
You possibly can mount the M3 or simply place it on a flat floor and it will also be powered by Energy over Ethernet. It incorporates a 95dB speaker that can be utilized as a part of a DIY home safety system.
The Aqara Hub M3 will probably be obtainable globally in Q2 2024, there is no phrase on pricing simply but.
Native Matter gadgets
Aqara additionally used CES 2024 to disclose its newest native Matter gadgets.
First up is the brand new Aqara Smart Lock U300, which is a Matter-over-Thread smart lock that incorporates a multitude of unlocking choices.
The U-tec Ultraloq stole a march by being the primary first Matter-over-Thread smart lock to characteristic a fingerprint reader when it was introduced final week, however the U300 is now a part of that membership too.
It’s also possible to unlock with It allows a key-free way of life with PIN codes, NFC or voice assistants; in addition to granting visitors entry by means of the app.
It’s designed to exchange conventional US lever or knob on single-bore doorways.
Alongside the U300, Aqara has additionally launched the Aqara Border Router Plug, which – as you in all probability guessed from the title – is a smart plug with Thread border router capabilities.
It’s a easy answer for somebody seeking to management Matter-over-Thread gadgets who at present solely have a Matter controller with no Thread abilities; eg most Amazon Echo homeowners.
Costs and launch dates are nonetheless to be confirmed.