Credit: Roger Fingas / Android AuthorityTL;DRMatter 1.6 introduces full bi-directional NFC pairing, entirely removing finicky Bluetooth handshakes from the setup process.A new feature called Joint Fabric allows platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, and SmartThings to securely co-administer a single shared network, and you only have to sync the household once.Smart hubs will now send time-bound “Thermostat Suggestions” rather than blind commands.Setting up smart home gear is notoriously frustrating, especially when you have to completely wire a ceiling fixture before you know if it will talk to your network. Matter 1.6 is here to deal with that problem.The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has introduced its latest update, and it’s all about making the hardware you already buy easy to install and share. First, you get full bi-directional NFC commissioning. Previously, if you tapped an NFC tag on a device, your phone would still need to use a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection for the setup handshake. If your phone couldn’t keep that Bluetooth connection, the setup failed.