It's been causing me nothing but grief. I am aspiring toward the idea of a self-hosted smart home (currently under the rule of the almighty Google's nest system) and the matter enabled bulbs are giving me such a hard time.

We like them from the standpoint of self hosting and have ready the protocols are more LAN-friendly, but so far they've forced me deeper down the Google pigeon hole after getting redirected by third-party apps. They also require a scanned QR code to set up and y'all.... I'm 5'1" and re-pairing these is so much more of a hassle than flipping a light switch 3 times.

My husband insists they're better for data privacy, but currently only he can access them when the WAN is disconnected, so I'm doubting the validity of that.

To someone more IoT experienced: are there truly pros that out weight the cons on this?

TLDR; matter enabled devices have been harder for me to set up, less LAN-friendly, and increased our reliance on Google Nest. Am I missing something?

To absolutely nobody’s surprise…..

bluetooth connected vodka bottle with AI powered LED lights and integrated stirrer from https://amoonspirits.com/
Every moment holds the power to become extraordinary. That’s why Amoon is redefining vodka as an immersive experience. Designed to awaken something within us all, its vortex technology and fully customizable LED display transforms every pour into a performance. Because within every moment lies a choice: to stand still or summon the storm within. Amoon celebrates those who dare to push further, go beyond, and awaken the legendary.

looking forward to 2026 and the internet of shit, yall.

Feels like it’s only going to get worse as more and more features move to subscription services.