Latest news with #Thread
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Forbes
Apple tvOS 26 Could Make Your Smart Home Smarter
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during the Apple Worldwide Developers ... More Conference (WWDC) on June 09, 2025 in Cupertino, California. Cook kicked off the annual Apple WWDC conference, which runs through June 13. Apple is expected to announce design and fuctionality updates to the operating system of its various products. (Photo by) At first glance, it looked as if WWDC25 was a bit of a washout in terms of smart home updates but, along with the emergence of EnergyKit, there's also some good news when it comes to streamlining your smart home setup. The guys over at Matter Alpha have done some digging around in the just-announced tvOS 26 beta and have uncovered that it uses Thread 1.4 for its border routing. That's a fairly big deal in terms of getting smart home devices singing in perfect harmony, particularly those in a Matter smart home setup. Thread 1.4 was actually first revealed way back in January 2024, but the specification wasn't approved for implementation until September last year The update should, in theory at least, fix one of the biggest headaches in the Matter smart home so far, of fragmented Thread networks. Before 1.4, if you had say Nanoleaf lights, an Eero router, an Apple TV, and an Echo smart speaker, they'd often spin-up separate Thread networks, depending on what you paired first, with no shared credentials, no coordination… just background chaos. Thread 1.4 promises to change that. Border routers from different brands should be able to share network info, so devices can join a single unified Thread network, no matter what ecosystem they're from. That means better reliability, lower latency, and potentially longer battery life for Thread gadgets. However, I've said 'in theory' and 'should' a lot; that's because it's all untested at this point and requires the different brands to actually roll-out the update. Apple isn't actually the first brand out of the gate with Thread 1.4. Amazon-owned Eero recently updated to 1.4 (although we're still waiting for Echo devices to follow suit). So, again 'in theory', that means Eero and Apple devices will live on the same Thread network. But there's confusion still as to whether there will be an option for users on existing networks to merge them, or whether it will only work for newly created networks. I've raised the question to various Matter and Thread engineers in the past few months and it's looking more like the latter, unfortunately. However, it's good news that Apple is adopting the new tech, especially as tvOS powers both Apple TV and HomePod devices. The much-rumored Apple smart home controller is purportedly going to introduce a new unified operating system, 'homeOs', possibly built on Apple's existing tvOS platform, to better connect its smart home ecosystem. It could well be that the Cupertino tech giant is getting its smart home system plans in order ahead of that.
The Verge
12-06-2025
- The Verge
It could be 2026 before all your Thread border routers work together
There's finally some good news for anyone battling multiple Thread networks while using Matter devices in their smart home — as long as you're the patient type. According to Matter Alpha, the tvOS 26 beta announced at WWDC this week adds Thread 1.4 to Apple TVs. And, as Apple's smart speakers use a fork of tvOS, it's likely that the upcoming HomePod OS 26 will include 1.4 as well. Thread 1.4 brings a standard way for Thread border routers, such as Apple TVs and HomePods, to join an existing Thread network, fixing the problem where border routers from different manufacturers set up separate networks when they join your smart home. 'We're seeing a great shift toward Thread 1.4 among some major device, platform, and border router vendors,' Thread Group VP of marketing Ann Olivo told The Verge. But, with tvOS 26 not arriving until the fall, and Google and Amazon's adoption of Thread 1.4 coming next year at the earliest, those of us who like to mix and match our smart home hardware — maybe you have an Apple TV, an Eero router, and a Google Nest Hub — will have to wait until at least 2026 for a more stable and speedier smart home. Released in September 2024, Thread 1.4 is the latest specification of the smart home protocol that Matter runs on. Thread offers a low-power, low-bandwidth mesh networking protocol designed specifically for IoT devices like lights, locks, sensors, and more. The 1.4 spec dictates that when a border router is added, it will join the existing Thread network versus creating a new one — regardless of brand or platform. So, for example, your new Echo Show 8 would join the network already created by your Apple TV. Thread-powered devices require a Thread border router to connect to the internet. Today, there are several options for border routers, including the newest Apple TVs and HomePods, higher-end Echo and Google Nest smart speakers, and some Wi-Fi routers, including Eeros. If you have a few of these devices, they may set up separate Thread networks, which can cause issues. The biggest being that you lose the extended range and reliability benefits of a unified mesh network. I currently have nine Thread networks running in my home. Samsung SmartThings has created three. My Nest network includes most of my HomePods and my Google TV streamer; my Apple network has a newer Apple TV and a Nanoleaf border router in it. I have three separate Eero networks, one with Eero devices in it and the other two with Echo devices in them. While my setup is not typical (I test smart home devices for a living), it does demonstrate what a mess this can create. Older versions of Thread are being sunsetted to speed up the transition. 'Thread 1.3 certification applications for Thread Border Routers will close December 31, 2025,' Olivo confirmed. 'As of Jan. 1, 2026, Thread 1.4 will be the only specification available for Thread Border Router certification.' With Apple poised to implement Thread 1.4 this fall with tvOS 26, I checked in with Google, Amazon, and Samsung to see where they were at. All are still on 1.3. However, Mark Benson, head of SmartThings US, said Samsung's border routers will be on 1.4 'later this year.' Amazon spokesperson Melanie Garvey said they will bring support for 1.4 'across compatible devices next year.' Alex Sakhartchouk, a software engineer at Google Home, confirmed that they are actively working toward adding support for Thread 1.4 'in the future.' 'As of Jan. 1, 2026, Thread 1.4 will be the only specification available for Thread Border Router certification.' Sakhartchouk added that Google Nest Thread border routers already 'do our best' to join existing networks by integrating with mobile Thread credential storage APIs on Android and iOS. Meaning, when you set them up with your smartphone, they should share credentials with an existing border router using the phone. 'We share our credentials via these same mobile APIs to allow others to join our networks,' he said. This worked for me — when I set up the Google TV streamer, it joined my existing Apple Thread network. While mobile credential sharing helps today, and the Wi-Fi router-based solution put in place by the Connectivity Standards Alliance in Matter 1.4 could help at some point, the most straightforward fix is border routers communicating with each other. This should have been the approach from day one — but it looks like we'll have to be patient a while longer.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- New Straits Times
#NSTviral: Man earns praise online after returning wallet that fell from car
KUALA LUMPUR: A man nearly lost his wallet after accidentally leaving it on the roof of his car while refueling at a petrol station in Section 7, Shah Alam, on Sunday. According to his wife, the incident occurred shortly after the couple had driven about 500 metres from the station when they realised the wallet was missing. "After driving for about 500 metres, we noticed the wallet was gone. We immediately made a U-turn and checked the dashcam footage. "It showed the wallet flying off onto the road," she shared in a post on the Thread platform. However, by the time they returned to the spot, the wallet was no longer there. To their surprise, a kind-hearted stranger had found the wallet and took it upon himself to deliver it to the address listed on the owner's identification card. It is understood that when the stranger arrived at the man's house to deliver the wallet, his parents, who were at home, were unaware of the visitor. Fortunately, a neighbour who noticed the situation stepped in to collect the wallet and later returned it to the family. The incident has since drawn praise online, with many commending the anonymous individual for his honesty and initiative. Much to everyone's delight, a Thread user who introduced himself as Fitri admitted to being the person responsible for the wallet's safe return, earning him thanks and prayers from netizens. "I'm Fitri... I'm the one who found your husband's wallet. I handed it over to the neighbour in front of your house because I called out, but no one was home. "Then I informed the surau congregation in your neighbourhood. Earlier, at around 9pm, I came to your house to check if you or your husband had received the wallet, as I was worried there were many valuable items inside," he said on Thread.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Indian Express
‘Abuse of power': Kerala man alleges Bengaluru cop checked his WhatsApp and hidden photos in phone gallery
Vishnu, a Kerala man working in Bengaluru, was allegedly stopped by a cop while returning to his place of stay. According to the now-viral Thread, the incident occurred on May 6 near Hebbal Kempapura when he ran into his college batchmate and stopped to catch up. Sharing details about the incident, Vishnu claimed that a cop on his motorcycle pulled up after he saw him speaking to his college friend on the streets, and went on to question them 'aggressively'. Further, Vishnu alleged that the cop demanded his phone and searched his WhatsApp and scrolled through the 'Hidden' album and the 'recently deleted' album. 'He asked where we're from, what we were doing, etc. We politely said we're from Kerala. Without any reason, he took my friend's phone and started checking WhatsApp and the gallery. Even searched my name on his phone. We felt humiliated. Then he demanded my phone. I hesitated. I told him I have private stuff and it's my personal device. He forcefully took it, searched my WhatsApp, scrolled through photos. Then demanded I open my Hidden Album and Recently Deleted,' Vishnu wrote in his post. When the man hesitated to show his personal photos, the police officer called him a 'suspect' and demanded cooperation. 'After wasting over 30 minutes, he said, 'Next time police ask for your phone, you must give it.' No explanation, no respect. Just abuse of power. I felt disgusted. I'd heard of these incidents — now I've lived it,' he wrote. Vishnu also said that he filed formal complaints and also reached out to the media for support. 'All I want is to feel safe in this city. I'm not against the system — I'm against the misuse of power,' he said. See here: A similar incident took place last year where a cop checked a man's phone who was caught smoking in public. According to the Reddit post, the Bengaluru cop checked the accused's phone and further demanded to read WhatsApp chats.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Forbes
Aqara Hub M100: Budget-Friendly Ticket To The Matter Smart Home Party
The new Aqara Hub M100 The Aqara Hub M100, first announced back at CES 2025 in January, is now available, offering a cheaper way than ever to get started with a Matter smart home. For less than $20, the M100 gives you an easy and affordable way into the Matter ecosystem, and can also be the starting point of your Aqara smart home journey. The Chinese smart home specialist has really made a name for itself in the past couple of years and is often the brand I often recommend people to turn to when they ask how to start out with home automation. The Hub M100, which is now officially available via Aqara's Amazon store and its own website, supports both Zigbee and Thread - 20 devices of each, simultaneously - and also works as a Matter controller, Thread border router, and a Matter bridge. That means you can use it to tie together your Aqara kit and it will also play nicely with third-party Matter and Thread gear, like Eve lights or smart locks from brands like Level. It's a budget-friendly gateway to smart home sanity, especially if you're just getting started or want to upgrade without spending M3-level money (Aqara's flagship hub, which costs $130). It plugs straight into a USB-A port can also be used to extend an existing Thread or (Aqara) Zigbee mesh network. And while it doesn't bring the higher-end features of the flagship M3 (no IR blasting or Edge computing smarts here), it does support Aqara's new Advanced Matter Bridging. That means automations you build inside the Aqara Home app - like starting a robot vacuum or reacting to facial recognition from a camera - can now trigger events in other Matter platforms, including HomeKit, Alexa, or Google Home. Aqara W100 sensor now available Also now available is the Aqara Climate Sensor W100 ($39.99, above), which brings a few more tricks to the table than your average temp sensor. With a 3.4-inch screen and three programmable buttons, it's not just for monitoring; it's for control. The display gives you at-a-glance temp and humidity readings, while the buttons can be set up to toggle scenes or control HVAC systems. Dual-protocol support (Thread and Zigbee) means you can choose between native Matter integration or deeper Aqara-specific features. So you could stick with Thread if you're building a Matter-based setup, or switch to Zigbee to unlock extras like remote thermostat control or viewing climate data on the W100 screen. Battery life is an impressive 28 months on a pair of CR2450 cell batteries. Aqara is also now bundling up its Camera Hub G3, along with a Door & Window Sensor, Motion Sensor P1, and a Vibration Sensor T1 to form the Camera Protect Kit Y100 starter kit.
