The 'Works with Apple Home' badge makes it easy to find HomeKit hardware. The "Works with Apple Home" logo will likely be on more smart home products in the future, because the Connectivity Standards Alliance's certification program is now assuming HomeKit support is available after devices pass tests for Matter.
There are multiple smart home platforms in operation, but there has been work over the years to make it easier for hardware to communicate with each other. In a new move, the CSA is aiming to make certifications for interoperability easier for device makers, and more understandable for consumers.
Announced on Monday, the CSA launched a pair of certification programs, which leverage the CSA's Interoperability Testing Facility, or Interop Lab. The intention is to streamline the certification application process and to reduce costs for software updates, while still keeping performance and interoperability standards high.
There is a change in the way devices are categorized as working with specific platforms, and to earn "Works With" certification and badges. This process usually requires not only for products to go through the CSA's certification, but also through a separate testing process for that ecosystem.
As part of the announcement, the CSA says Apple has started to accept Interop Lab test results for Matter devices, allowing them to be classed as "Works With Apple Home." The change means manufacturers no longer have to perform an Apple-specific test to get the designation, so long as they pass Matter tests.
