I really wish Thread mesh networking would become standard on new Wi-Fi routers. Google Nest has hardware support for it, but not sure if it's enabled yet.
I think Thread is a much better fit for IP connectivity for IoT devices. Nordic Semiconductor nRF SoCs can do Bluetooth LE and Thread on the same radio at the same time, so should be very cost effective.
I'd gladly replace all my Zigbee devices with Thread ones if they were available. It'd be really nice with something that's easier to troubleshoot with standard IP tools, and to not have to have a separate hub for that network.
Nordic Semiconductor recently bought Imagination Technologies WiFi assets, so there should be some nice SoCs from them in the near future too.
Is Thread still happening? Last time I checked the only hub available was Nest, although Apple hardware has support but it's not enabled in software. Other than a couple of niche home automation products, nothing supports it. When will I be able to buy smart light bulbs for $10 that use Thread?
> although Apple hardware has support but it's not enabled in software.
Nope - HomePod mini has thread enabled. That’s the only thread device I’ve seen from apple so far, but I expect that all future ‘home hub’ capable device would support it as well.
I couldn't agree more. I picked up a dozen Particle Xenon board (nRF52840) for around the house and as a mesh they work amazingly. I was very sad when Particle dropped support for them to focus on cell boards.
Where the mesh is IP-based it was straightforward to have nodes anywhere in the mesh send data out to my influxdb.
I think Thread is a much better fit for IP connectivity for IoT devices. Nordic Semiconductor nRF SoCs can do Bluetooth LE and Thread on the same radio at the same time, so should be very cost effective.
I'd gladly replace all my Zigbee devices with Thread ones if they were available. It'd be really nice with something that's easier to troubleshoot with standard IP tools, and to not have to have a separate hub for that network.
Nordic Semiconductor recently bought Imagination Technologies WiFi assets, so there should be some nice SoCs from them in the near future too.