Standard Matter has been gaining popularity lately. It was created to simplify the operation of gadgets from different manufacturers in one home.
What does support for Matter and Thread smart home standards mean?
If you have a hub with Matter support, you don’t need to build a smart home only around gadgets from one brand; you can combine devices from different manufacturers. More and more new home devices support Matter.
Aqara Hub M3 – just such a hub. It supports the new Matter standard and acts as a connecting link between gadgets, ensuring their interaction and automation. In addition, the hub supports Zigbee, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which means you can connect almost any smart gadget to it.
In the article we will look at all the capabilities of the Aqara hub, its importance for a smart home, as well as its features and compatibility with various devices and ecosystems.
Specifications of Aqara Hub M3
Here are the main parameters and supported communication protocols of the new Aqara hub:
► Wired or wireless connection
► Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz
► Zigbee/Thread IEEE 802.15.4
► Bluetooth 5.1
► Built-in IR receiver/transmitter
► Loudspeaker up to 95 dB
Hub size: 105 × 105 × 36.5 mm
The hub can be powered via Type-C: 5V 2A or via PoE (RJ45) 48V 0.27A.
Please note that the power supply is not included and must be purchased separately. You can provide a Type-C connection connector or power via a network cable at the location where the device is installed.
Why do you need an Aqara hub in a smart home?
The Aqara hub is a key device in the smart home ecosystem; without it, smart devices will work as separate elements and will not be able to interact with each other. Here are the main functions of the Aqara hub:
► Centralized device management: Sensors, lamps, locks and cameras are connected to the smart home through the hub; they can be controlled through one application on a smartphone or through voice assistants.
► Setting up automations: The hub allows you to configure device interaction scenarios. For example, when a motion sensor is triggered, it can turn on the lights or notify the owner of what is happening in the house.
► Working via Zigbee: Aqara hub supports the Zigbee protocol, which allows gadgets to interact autonomously, with low power consumption and without a constant connection to the Internet. This makes the system more reliable.
► Integration with other platforms: the hub supports working with systems Home by Apple And Google Home. This makes it easy to connect Aqara devices to an existing home control system and control them in a familiar application with all the features of your favorite ecosystem.
► Voice control: the hub integrates with voice assistants from other manufacturers. Devices connected to it can be controlled using Alice, Marusya or Salute from Sber, if there is a corresponding speaker in the house.
What else can the new Aqara hub do?
In addition to the described features, the new hub has several useful features. One of them is IR remote mode. The hub has a circular signal receiver-transmitter in the IR range, which means it can control devices instead of a remote control.
The most interesting application in this case is connecting an air conditioner. The Aqara hub can control it directly. To configure there is a special section in the parameters; you need to select the manufacturer and model of the air conditioner. If you have some exclusive air cooler that is not on the list, you can teach the IR remote control commands manually using your original air conditioner remote control.
The hub supports IR feedback; if you turn on the air conditioner or set the mode using the remote control, the settings will be displayed in the application. The connected air conditioner is forwarded to other smart home control systems, for example, to Apple Home.
Another useful feature is built-in loudspeaker. The hub can act as an alarm when no one is home, display important smart home notifications, or become a smart doorbell paired with a wireless button.
In the hub settings, you can select the notification volume level and turn on the “do not disturb” mode so as not to receive notifications at night.
How to connect and configure Aqara Hub M3
There will be no problems with connection. In addition to the hub itself, the kit includes a power cable and a wall mount. Just connect the hub to the power source and start setting up.
1. Install the Aqara Home application on your smartphone from App Store or Google Play.
2. Log in to your account or register if you don’t have one.
3. In the application, click “+” to add a new device and select Aqara Hub M3.
4. Connect the hub to your Wi-Fi network. If necessary, update the hub firmware.
5. Set the hub name, hosting room, region and time zone for the automation scripts to work correctly.
All! The setup is complete, you can start adding smart devices.
How to connect devices to the Aqara hub
If your smart home already had Aqara devices that work via Wi-Fi, you do not need to connect them to the hub. Smart devices will “make friends” themselves in the application. You need to connect or reconnect devices that operate via ZigBee or Thread to the hub. These are all kinds of sensors, switches, light bulbs or sockets. Previously, they could already be connected to another hub or speaker that supports these protocols.
Connecting devices to the Aqara hub occurs through the Aqara Home application in this way:
1. Make sure the hub is turned on and connected to the Wi-Fi network.
2. Turn on the connected device and bring it closer to the hub. During operation, the gadget can be placed further, but when connecting, it is better to keep the hub and gadget nearby.
3. Put your device into pairing mode. Usually, to do this you need to hold down the button on the case for 5-7 seconds. Sometimes the gadget is put into pairing mode differently; this should be described in the instructions.
4. In the Aqara Home application, enable device search and wait for the hub to detect the gadget.
5. Follow the instructions and complete connecting your devices.
How to set up automation in a smart home
Here you need to decide which application will be your main one for controlling your smart home. A common mistake newbies make is setting up different automation scenarios in separate applications. So, after a while, it is very easy to become confused as to why a certain light bulb turns on or why the curtains open in the living room. Scripts from different applications may conflict with each other or load the smart home network with duplicate commands.
If you have an Aqara hub, you can choose one of the options:
Configure everything in the Aqara Home application. In this case, you need to add devices, connect them with each other and configure automation in this program.
Automation in the application Skin Home are created in the usual way. In the section of the same name, create a new scenario, select the condition and action that will occur. For example, when you press a switch, turn on the light in the living room.
Throw everything into Apple Home. To do this, you need to link your Aqara account to HomeKit in the Aqara Home app, and then set up all the automations in the Home app on your iPhone or Mac. In this case, you will have to use two applications: Aqara Home to update the firmware of smart devices and fine-tune settings, and Home to configure automation and control gadgets.
Managing gadgets through the Home app is better integrated into the Apple ecosystem and allows, for example, to turn devices on or off from Control Center, view their status in widgets, or control devices from the iPhone lock screen. but some finer settings are not available on this system. For example, you won’t be able to set up a robot vacuum cleaner.
Link devices to a voice assistant. For example, it could be Alice from Yandex. Then in the Home with Alice application you need to link your account to your Aqara account and forward the hub with the connected devices there. You will need to configure automation in the Yandex application.
As in the previous case, you will have to keep two applications: Home with Alice and Aqara Home. In the first, you will configure automation, and in the second, you will update the firmware and manage the fine settings of gadgets.
What’s the result?
The new Aqara Hub M3 is a powerful multifunctional device that can connect gadgets from different manufacturers in the home and even replace some of them.
The hub is suitable for creating a centralized smart home system and will allow you to control light bulbs, sensors, switches, locks and other smart devices through one application. The hub supports the Zigbee and Matter protocols, which makes it compatible with most current devices. An important advantage is the ability to work locally without the Internet, which increases the stability and security of the system.
The hub can also integrate with other smart home control systems and voice assistants. At the moment this is one of the most universal solutions on our market.
On topic:
The curtains open on their own according to a schedule, magic. Review of smart curtain rod and motor Aqara Curtain Controller
Review of the Aqara LED Strip Driver. We make any LED strip smart and customize scenarios
How to make any switch or socket smart. Review of the Aqara relay, which will remove all the jambs of electrical repairs
Spins on its own and follows you safely! How I installed the new Aqara E1 camera with 2K resolution and people recognition
Source: www.iphones.ru
