Matrix is a new, pragmatic HTTP-based clean-room alternative to XMPP, SIP, IRC and other messaging/VoIP technologies. It consists of an open standard defining RESTful HTTP APIs and open source, Apache-licensed reference implementations for creating and running your own real-time communication infrastructure for VoIP/IM or any other service that includes sending binary data around - including IoT services.
Matrix is a set of pragmatic RESTful HTTP JSON APIs presented as an open standard, intended to be implemented on a wide range of servers, services and clients, letting developers build functionality on top of the Matrix ecosystem for messaging, VoIP and a multitude of other services.
In Matrix, every user runs one or more Matrix clients, which connect through to a Matrix "homeserver" which stores all their personal communication history and user account information - much as a mail client connects through to an IMAP/SMTP server. Just like email, you can either run your own Matrix homeserver, which means you own and control your own communications and history - or you can use one hosted by someone else (e.g. matrix.org) - there is no single point of control or mandatory service provider in Matrix. In fact, there is no single point of control over conversations in Matrix at all - conversation history is a first class citizen, with room state replicated over all participating servers, avoiding single-points of failure or control as you get in XMPP MUCs.
With the continously increasing number of devices connected to the internet, we need ways to gather and unify all the status and instruction data going back and forth - and Matrix is a perfect fit for these kind of services.
Speakers: Matthew Hodgson