After a long wait of over two years, Eve Systems has launched its highly anticipated first Android app — the Eve for Matter app — now available on the Google Play Store. This exciting release marks a pivotal moment for smart home enthusiasts, as it allows Android users to unlock custom features of Eve’s smart devices that were previously exclusive to iOS users.

At its debut, the app is compatible with Google Home and works exclusively with the new Eve Thermo, a Matter-over-Thread smart radiator valve (priced at 79.99 Euros) designed specifically for European households. While previous versions of the Eve Thermo can be updated to support Matter and Thread, this new iteration comes equipped with these features right out of the box.

“Expanding our support for additional Eve devices and platforms is our ongoing goal. We wanted to ensure that our Android and Google Home users could enjoy the Eve Thermo in time for the heating season,” explained Lars Felber, director of PR at Eve Systems, during an interview with The Verge.

Eve’s commitment to user privacy and its decision to shy away from cloud-to-cloud interactions previously limited their development to Apple Home products. However, with the introduction of the Matter smart home standard, the company can now expand its offerings while still prioritizing local control over user data.

With the Eve app, Android users can easily integrate the Eve Thermo into their Google Home environment through the Matter standard. They can also manage the device within the Eve app, which provides access to advanced features like autonomous on-device schedules. Without the app, users will only have basic control options.

In addition, Android users can add other Matter-compatible Eve devices, including the Eve Energy smart plug and Eve Motion blinds, to various compatible platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. However, until Eve rolls out further support for more products, Android users will be limited to basic functionalities available to them in the Matter framework.

In contrast, Apple Home users currently benefit from a more comprehensive experience, including advanced features such as in-depth energy analytics for plugs and customizable shading options for smart shades through the Eve for Matter & HomeKit app.

The Eve app is primarily built on the Google Home APIs, which have newly been released, allowing for accelerated development for the Android platform. Eve CEO Jerome Gackel heralded this collaboration, stating it allowed them to “turbo-charge the development of Eve for Android.” Future updates are expected to expand compatibility to other platforms, including Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings.

What is Matter?

Matter is revolutionizing the smart home landscape by providing a universal interoperability standard that allows various connected devices to communicate locally without depending on cloud connections. Developed collaboratively by major tech giants including Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung, Matter is an open-source, IP-based connectivity solution designed to enhance security, privacy, and ease of use.

Supporting a multitude of smart home devices such as lights, thermostats, locks, and appliances, any device flaunting the Matter logo is compatible with various Matter-enabled ecosystems with the help of a Matter controller. Moreover, it offers a unique multi-admin feature that allows multiple platforms to control the same device.

With major platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple Home on board, the future of smart homes is not just interconnected — it’s about to get even smarter! Stay tuned as Eve continues its journey into the Android ecosystem, promising to offer even more groundbreaking features for users.