The Connectivity Standards Alliance has released Matter 1.5.1, bringing significant improvements to camera functionality for Apple Home users. The update introduces multiple video streams at different resolutions for various purposes, allowing devices to stream lower-quality video to phones while recording in high resolution simultaneously.

A key feature is the ability to dedicate separate streams for video analysis and AI processing. While Apple currently handles video analysis locally through Home Hub, Matter 1.5.1 supports both local and cloud-based analysis with natural language descriptions. The update also adds support for HEIC image format and HLS streaming, delivering higher quality images with smaller file sizes while adjusting video resolution based on internet bandwidth.

Beyond cameras, Matter 1.5.1 includes improvements like different chimes for video doorbells, enhanced pan-tilt-zoom support, and better intercom performance. Though Apple Home still lacks full Matter support, the company has committed to implementing it in the future. These updates represent the Connectivity Standards Alliance's ongoing effort to improve the smart home ecosystem with at least two updates to the Matter specification each year.