May 2024 Newsletter: A Message from Alliance President & CEO Tobin Richardson

Read the full Newsletter Issue 1 2024

From the onset of 2024, our Alliance Members, each playing a crucial role, have demonstrated steadfast dedication to propelling the IoT industry forward. Together, our community is building on the milestones and successes of a truly productive 2023 year, a testament to your collective achievements and the value brought to the industry.

Beginning in January, the Alliance once again maintained a strong presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), with nearly one hundred Members in attendance showcasing their latest Matter and Zigbee-enabled products and solutions. It was a privilege to visit with Members, check out their displays and demonstrations, and participate alongside my colleagues on various CES panels in Las Vegas. 

Throughout the first quarter, March made for a busy media month with announcements and releases. The Product Security Working Group launched its IoT Device Security Specification 1.0, along with a Certification Program and Verified Mark, signaling an important milestone in bolstering IoT security and building confidence with consumers. Following on the heels of this landmark moment, the Alliance was proud to publicly announce the signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, solidifying the mutual recognition of our respective cybersecurity labels for the IoT.

In March we also saw the release of Green Power revision 1.1.2, which introduced additional features and scripts, and streamlined developers’ testing, allowing them to use the same unified test harness for Green Power receiver products as used for the traditional Zigbee protocol.

It was also a joy to engage with many of you at our March Member Meeting in Singapore. With nearly 320 members in attendance, it was an ideal way to connect and network, view the most recent Member demos, and participate in dozens of presentations and discussions featuring organizational, policy, Working Group, marketing, and regional updates.
 
As we move into the second quarter, our momentum continues to gain. In mid-April, we announced our collaboration with the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO) and the mutual signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). We are honored to work alongside ETNO and see this as a significant step towards fostering an innovative IoT ecosystem built on key foundations of safety and security. Lastly, we welcomed May with the release of Matter 1.3. This pivotal update to the specification signifies a significant advancement, with new features helpful to users in the kitchen and laundry room, enhanced entertainment and smart home interaction on screens, and making the smart home more efficient and safer with new energy and water management support.

It is evident that our Members’ collective efforts continue to pave the way to a world of seamless interaction transforming the way we live, work, and play. I am genuinely excited about what the future holds and look forward to reconnecting with many of you at our next Member Meeting in Washington, DC on June 24th-27th. Your presence and participation are always appreciated and contribute to the success of our Alliance.

Cheers,