Apps
Matter 1.4 to make SmartThings even smarter with Wi-Fi router support
Last month, Samsung SmartThings introduced several new features, including Home Insights, Daily Routines, Quick Remote, and Automatic Hub Backup. Now, a new report suggests that SmartThings might soon support Wi-Fi routers with the upcoming release of Matter 1.4.
Matter has been part of SmartThings for a few years, and the upcoming 1.4 version is expected to arrive next year with some exciting new features.
Matter 1.4
Matter 1.4 details have been arrived today. It highlights the “Enhanced Multi-Admin” feature, which makes it easier to control Matter-enabled devices across different smart home ecosystems at the same time.
It shows that you could use a Matter device with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and SmartThings all together without any hassle.
Moreover, the update also improves device compatibility. For example, Wi-Fi routers can now work with Matter and SmartThings. They can also act as Thread Border Routers to help connect devices and simplify the setup process.
With this, Wi-Fi routers, modems, and other devices like set-top boxes will be controllable through the SmartThings app.
Matter 1.4 supports energy devices like solar panels, electric water heaters, heat pumps, solar system inverters, and batteries for battery energy management. It can even take local electricity prices into account and help you optimize your home’s energy use to save on costs.
However, the support for security cameras is expected to be added in a future update, Matter 1.5. As Samsung was quick to adopt Matter 1.3, we can expect SmartThings to add 1.4 support sometime in 2025.
Samsung SmartThings 1.8.21.28 Update Arrived: Home Insights, Routines, Quick Remote, and more
WhatsApp has pushed a new beta update for Android users, which brings a camera shortcut directly to the gallery sheet to make it easier to access the camera while sending photos or videos. The fresh beta update arrives with version 2.24.24.23, available through the Google Play Beta Program.
Previously, WhatsApp improved the way users send photo and video albums. With that, users can select multiple photos and videos at once, and add captions to entire albums to make it simpler to share media with context.
The new update is adding even more improvements. The camera shortcut, which used to be in the chat bar, is now available directly inside the gallery sheet. It saves time and makes it easier to capture something new without navigating through multiple steps.
Now, when you’re selecting photos or videos to send, you can quickly switch to the camera without leaving the gallery. This new change might feel like an extra step for some users who were used to accessing the camera with a single tap from the chat bar. However, the update aims to combine both the camera and gallery functions into one place.
Notably, not all users will see this new camera shortcut. If you still have the camera shortcut in the chat bar, you won’t see the one in the gallery sheet. This is to avoid clutter and make the app more organized.
This feature is currently available to a limited number of beta testers, and it will be rolled out to more users in the coming days or weeks.
Google Messages introduces a new Backup and Restore feature to make it easier for users to back up and restore their text messages, media, and settings directly within the app. This feature’s strings have been spotted in the Google Messages 20241118_02_RC00 beta version.
Currently, Android users back up their messages through Google One at the system level, but this new update lets users manage backups from within Google Messages itself.
The backup system will offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your messages are fully secured. Only you will be able to access the backup, with protection provided by your device’s screen lock.
When signing into the app on a new device, your conversations will automatically restore, providing a seamless transition. However, some devices without a screen lock may not be eligible for encrypted backups.
The backup feature is closely associated with your Google Account and Google One storage, which means you’ll need some extra storage space for backups. While users can choose to turn off backups at any time. Turning off the backup will permanently delete your conversations from your Google Account, although they will still be on your device.
You can also choose to back up media only over Wi-Fi, which can help save mobile data. Additionally, Google Messages will allow you to sync messages across different devices as long as you’re signed into your Google Account.
Aside from this, Google Messages recently rolled out the “Double tap heart ‘feature for Android users. This makes it easier to send a red heart emoji in response to messages.
Google Messages rolls out ‘Double tap to heart’ for easy reactions
Samsung has pushed a fresh update for its Daily Board app, version 15.0.51.1, which brings new features and improvements to enhance the user experience. This update is available on the Galaxy Store with a package size of 19.09MB.
The new update introduces Night Clock Mode, which is designed to make using the app easier and more comfortable in low-light conditions. With this update, the clock interface now automatically switches to a more dimmed color scheme when the lighting around you dims.
It ensures that the clock remains easily readable on the Daily Board without causing eye strain in dark environments. This feature automatically activates when the Adaptive Brightness setting on your Samsung device is turned on.
Along with the new Night Clock Mode, this update also includes some bug fixes. These fixes help improve the overall performance of the app to make it run more smoothly and reliably.
Overall, the Samsung Daily Board 15.0.51.1 update brings a helpful new feature and bug fixes to make it a better and more user-friendly tool for Samsung users. You can install the via Galaxy Store >> Menu option >> Updates.
Also, you can download the update from the third-party app link mentioned here. Install the latest update now to enjoy new features.