GOOGLE LETS THIRD-PARTY DEVELOPERS INTO HOME THROUGH NEW APIS

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

Google is opening up its Home platform to third-party developers through new APIs that build on the foundation of Matter. Developers looking to tap into the APIs will need to pass certification before rolling out their apps. Apps won't be able to access users' smart home devices without their explicit consent. Google plans to open up access to the APIs on a rolling basis. The first apps using them will hit the Play Store this fall.