SwitchBot Universal Remote needs a hub and a HomeKit setup for Matter action
SwitchBot, of Bot finger and auto curtain opening fame, have unveiled a Universal Remote control, designed with the smart home in mind, and with big claims of being the “first remote to support Matter.”
And while you should, indeed, be able to control Matter compatible devices from other brands such as smart lights, plugs and blinds, there are a couple of caveats (isn’t there always, when it comes to Matter?)
The first is that you will need to have a SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini Matter in place, because that’s how the Chinese brand allows its devices to sync with Matter smart home systems; they are not native Matter devices.
The second is that you can only currently get in on the Universal Remote Matter fun if you have a HomeKit system in place; we’re told that there are “platform limitations” with regards to Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Back to what the Universal Remote can do and, aside from the Matter controls, it obviously works with SwitchBot’s ever-growing smart home arsenal, so you’ll be able to use it to open the curtains, turn switches on and off, have doors lock and unlock and so on.
It being a remote control, you’ll also be able to control your TV and AV equipment – SwitchBot states that the infrared code library supports almost 84,000 existing remotes and that the library will be updated every six months.
It also packs Bluetooth so can be used to control the likes of Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku and more (once a firmware update lands in July, apparently.)
The slick looking remote boasts a 2.4-inch LCD screen, along with a dial and buttons for controls, and is powered by a 2000mAh battery that is said to last 150 days on a single charge.
Priced at $59.99 / £59.99, the SwitchBot Universal Remote is available now, direct from SwitchBot or via Amazon.
