Want to take a gander at the weather conditions right outside your doorstep? Smart home manufacturer Eve has a compact weather-tracking module that works with Apple devices, but Android users have been left out in the cold—until now, that is.
Thanks to Matter, the formerly Apple HomeKit-only Eve Weather will now work for Android users, and the device will also gain compatibility with other smart home platforms supported by the nascent Matter standard.
A new version of the battery-powered Eve Weather that works out-of-the-box with Matter is out now, for the same price–$79.95–as the original HomeKit-only version.
This news story is part of TechHive’s ongoing coverage of the best home weather stations.
Eve says it will continue selling the just-for-HomeKit Eve Weather station for those Apple users without a Matter controller (namely an Apple TV 4K or a HomePod).
Meanwhile, a new firmware update for existing Eve Weather units will bring those devices up to speed with Matter.
An iPhone is required to install the Matter update on a HomeKit-only Eve Weather–hence, the need for a new version with out-of-the-box Matter for Android users.
It’s worth noting that Android users who want to use Eve Weather via Matter will—for now—have to do so through the Google Home app, or another Android-compatible app that acts as a Matter controller.
Announced nearly two years ago, an Android version of the Eve app is still in the hopper.
Asked for comment, an Eve rep said the Android app is “coming soon,” and that the company’s “aim” is to “incorporate as much of the custom functionality that distinguishes the user experience in the app for Apple Home as possible.”
Eve has yet to specify which of its devices will work with its upcoming Android app.
If you’re already using Eve Weather with HomeKit and you’re happy with your setup, there’s no need to upgrade to Matter if you’d rather avoid the hassle.
Then again, upgrading the Eve Weather to Matter will open up some interesting opportunities in terms of smart routines—meaning, for example, that weather conditions detected by the Eve Weather could trigger actions within (say) a Google Home automation.
A battery-powered and wall-mountable gadget with IPX4 water resistance (read up here on IP codes and what they mean), sensors on the Eve Weather track your local weather conditions, including temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
The Eve app for iOS tracks weather statistics gathered by the Thread- and Bluetooth-enabled Eve Weather over time, and the device itself can display current conditions and 12-hour weather trends on its integrated LCD screen.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben's articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master's degree in English literature.