Homebridge 2.0 officially launches with initial Matter bridge support, enabling its 4000+ plugin ecosystem to reach Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and Home Assistant.
Key Takeaways
Matter support has two targets: filling Apple HomeKit gaps for new device types (vacuums, cameras) and exposing Homebridge plugins to non-Apple Matter controllers.
Apple now uses Matter instead of HomeKit for new device categories – robot vacuums require Matter, so Homebridge needed to follow or lose plugin parity.
Currently a vacuum plugin must masquerade as a switch or light in Home app; Matter support lets it appear as a real vacuum with full controls.
Plugin updates are required individually, so full ecosystem coverage rolls out gradually – not everything works on day one.
Homebridge runs on Node.js and can deploy on Raspberry Pi, HOOBS, or any computer; the update is optional, not mandatory.
Hacker News Comment Review
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Notable Comments
@emsy: Reports ~100 devices in Home app with only 2 native HomeKit devices, illustrating real-world Homebridge dependency at scale.
