At CES 2022, Nanoleaf said an upcoming firmware update will make its lighting products the first third-party border routers for HomeKit-over-Thread devices available now and coming out in the future.
The firmware update, due to roll out in the first quarter of 2022, will broaden Nanoleaf products’ support for Thread, improving devices’ connectivity and reliability over home networks.
What is the Thread standard?
The Thread standard enables creation of a low-power mesh network connecting devices. The network can self-heal in the event a device goes offline, cutting down on dropped connections and improving connection speeds A Thread border router connects Thread devices to your home network. Each added device supporting Thread strengthens the network.
The firmware update will enable Nanoleaf lighting products like Shapes, Lines and Elements to act as Thread border routers for HomeKit-over-Thread devices like Nanoleaf Essentials Bulb & Lightstrip, Apple TV 4K, Wemo’s Stage scene controller and Eve’s Thread-enabled products. Future Thread devices supporting HomeKit will also work.
The first one after Apple itself
With the update, Nanoleaf becomes the only company after Apple whose products can act as Thread border routers for HomeKit devices. In addition to Nanoleaf products (following the update), users’ only other options are the HomePod mini or the latest Apple TV 4K.
Nanoleaf said the update will help it prepare for Matter-over-Thread devices set to launch later this year. Matter, a new connectivity standard intended to improve smart home device interoperability, is supported by Apple, Amazon, Google, Samsung and others.
The first Nanoleaf gear to support Matter should roll out in the second half of 2022, the company said.
