Thus, I am looking for a reliable manufacturer with adequate support that covers a lot.
You’re not the only one, and that’s been the case since I was a student myself (I now have schoolchildren).
Matter is coming soon as a standard. I think that will boost things again quite a bit.
There will be a short hype again. Then it will fall in line with the others (IMHO).
I think Matter will be like the Sunspec protocol, one system, but no one sticks to it...
Yes, as always, manufacturers will come and go when the hoped-for effect fails to materialize. Or it will simply be restructured, and the budget cuts will naturally be made where things can be eliminated. In other words, gimmicks like smart home.