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Thread

All articles tagged with #thread

Apple upgrades iPad Air to M4 with Wi‑Fi 7 and faster cellular
tech4 days ago

Apple upgrades iPad Air to M4 with Wi‑Fi 7 and faster cellular

Apple has introduced a new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip, promising up to 30% faster performance than the M3 and upgrading wireless with Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Cellular models use a C1X modem for up to 50% faster data and about 30% lower energy use. Preorders begin March 4 with shipping starting March 11; pricing starts at $599 for the 11-inch Wi‑Fi model (128GB, upgradeable to 1TB), $749 for the cellular variant, while the 13-inch Wi‑Fi starts at $799 and cellular at $949, in Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray.

Ikea’s Matter devices stumble at setup with connectivity woes
tech29 days ago

Ikea’s Matter devices stumble at setup with connectivity woes

Ikea’s Matter-over-Thread smart home devices—including lights, a smart button, and sensors—are facing onboarding and connectivity problems for some users, with multiple devices failing to pair or stay connected across major platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. Ikea says it’s aware of the issues and is investigating with ecosystem partners and the Connectivity Standards Alliance to fix the problems as Matter deployments continue.

technology8 months ago

IKEA switches from Zigbee to Thread, fully embracing Matter for smart homes

IKEA is shifting from Zigbee to Thread for its smart home products, adopting the Matter standard, which is seen as more open but has limitations such as device incompatibility and licensing costs. The move has sparked debate over the openness and security of Matter and Thread, with concerns about closed ecosystems, device certification, and network fragmentation. Despite some frustrations with current smart home ecosystems, many users value the stability and flexibility offered by platforms like Home Assistant, which can integrate various protocols and devices, though they face challenges with device reliability and network complexity.

Ikea's Dirigera Hub Gains Full Matter Controller Capabilities
technology8 months ago

Ikea's Dirigera Hub Gains Full Matter Controller Capabilities

Ikea is relaunching its smart home line with over 20 new Matter-over-Thread devices, aiming to make smart home products more affordable, compatible across brands, and easier to use. The company is updating its Dirigera hub to support Matter and Thread, enabling seamless control of compatible devices from various brands, and maintaining backward compatibility with Zigbee. This move positions Ikea as a major retailer adopting Matter for broader interoperability and user-friendly smart home experiences.

Eve Introduces Groundbreaking Matter-Compatible Smart Wall Outlet
smart-home-technology2 years ago

Eve Introduces Groundbreaking Matter-Compatible Smart Wall Outlet

Eve Systems has announced the Eve Energy Outlet, a Thread-enabled, Matter-compatible wall outlet with energy monitoring capabilities. The outlet can be controlled individually and works with various platforms, including Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. However, energy monitoring can only be accessed through Eve's app or the Samsung SmartThings app. The company also revealed plans for a Matter version of its Thread smart light switch and the launch of its own smart blinds collection. Matter is an interoperability standard developed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung to provide a common language for smart home devices to communicate locally without relying on a cloud connection.

"Revolutionary Smart Lock Integrates Matter-over-Thread Technology"
technology2 years ago

"Revolutionary Smart Lock Integrates Matter-over-Thread Technology"

Austrian smart lock maker Nuki has launched its Matter-over-Thread smart lock, the Nuki Smart Lock 4.0, which is the first smart lock built from the ground up to work with the new smart home standard. The lock comes in two versions, with the Pro version having Wi-Fi built-in. The addition of Thread support brings longer battery life, increased reliability, and faster speed. Matter-over-Thread allows for remote access without using Wi-Fi, and the lock is compatible with major smart home platforms. Nuki is also launching a Pro version of its fingerprint keypad accessory. The lock is currently available in Europe but can be shipped to the US.

Aqara Introduces Versatile Smart Sensors for Home Security and Automation
smart-home-technology2 years ago

Aqara Introduces Versatile Smart Sensors for Home Security and Automation

Aqara has released its first Matter-over-Thread sensor, the Door and Window Sensor P2, which can be integrated into existing Matter-enabled smart homes without the need for an Aqara hub. The sensor uses a magnet to detect if doors or windows are opened or closed, offering various applications such as enhancing security or alerting users to open freezer doors. Aqara's sensor features a nondescript design and comes with adhesive mounting options. The company plans to release a Hub M3 and update its Aqara Home app to support Matter, enabling additional features for the sensor. Aqara is also working on adding Matter support to its existing hubs and has a roadmap for more Thread-enabled smart devices.

Amazon's Matter update brings Thread and iOS setup to Echo, expands support to over 100 million devices.
technology2 years ago

Amazon's Matter update brings Thread and iOS setup to Echo, expands support to over 100 million devices.

Amazon's latest update brings support for Thread to its fourth-gen Echo smart speaker, iOS setup compatibility, and Matter support for older Echo devices. The update also includes a partnership with Eve, a previously HomeKit-focused company, to integrate with Matter-enabled Echo devices and the Works with Alexa universe. Matter is a smart home standard that aims to make smart home devices faster, more reliable, secure, and easy to use, while Thread is a purpose-made mesh networking protocol for smart home platforms and devices.

Amazon Enhances Smart Home Support with Matter and Thread Integration.
smart-home2 years ago

Amazon Enhances Smart Home Support with Matter and Thread Integration.

Amazon has enabled Matter in over 100 million Echo smart speakers, added Thread support, and made the Alexa iOS app compatible with Matter. This update makes it easier to connect any device to your smart home, regardless of the manufacturer. Matter is designed to fix some of the biggest problems with smart home devices, including setup, security, reliability, and interoperability. With 20 Echo smart speakers and displays joining Google Nest devices and Apple Home devices as Matter controllers, it just got much easier to control your smart home devices.

Belkin's Wemo Smart Home Brand Steps Back from Matter Standard.
smart-home3 years ago

Belkin's Wemo Smart Home Brand Steps Back from Matter Standard.

Belkin's smart home brand, Wemo, has paused the development of Matter smart home devices and will bring new Matter products to market when it can find a way to differentiate them. Wemo updated a product to use Thread, the primary wireless protocol beneath the Matter standard, and released a new Thread-compatible smart dimmer. However, none of the new products are slated for future Matter support. Wemo is tapping the brakes on Matter, possibly due to concerns about its smart home gear becoming commoditized.