My smart home devices don't work together
Different brands, different apps. Here's what Matter and the new AI assistants change.
Can you talk to your smart home in normal sentences?
Yes, with Alexa+. Consumer Reports found it understands phrasing like "turn on the light over the sink" and context like "it's damp in the bathroom".
In stores now
- Amazon Alexa+
Alexa+ controls smart home devices from natural, everyday phrasing and understands context.
Coming or still in demos
- Apple HomeViewAnnounced
Apple says HomeView runs on Siri AI and recognizes each family member to show their own information.
Why it's hard: How often it misunderstands in daily use; reviewers report occasional wrong answers.
Can one smart home hub run devices from any brand?
Getting closer. Apple's HomeView, due Nov 13, 2026, supports Matter and Thread, so Matter devices from other brands should work with it. Devices without Matter still don't.
In stores now
Nothing you can buy for this yet.
Coming or still in demos
- Apple HomeViewAnnounced
HomeView supports Matter and Thread, so Matter accessories from other brands work with it, alongside HomeKit devices.
Why it's hard: How well HomeView handles a real mix of Matter devices at home; no full review yet.
Guides on this
- Apple HomeView: price, release date, and what it works withApple's first smart home display costs $299 and ships Nov 13, 2026. What it does, whether your devices will work with it, and what's still unknown.
- Alexa+: what it costs and what it can actually doAmazon's AI assistant is free with Prime and $19.99 a month without. What reviewers found it does well, where it still gets things wrong, and which devices it runs on.