Apple, Google add support for Thread 1.4
Apple and Google are updating their smart home streaming devices to Thread 1.4. As first spotted by Matter Alpha and 9to5 Google, the latest spec has arrived on compatible Apple TVs in the tvOS 27 de…
Apple and Google are updating their smart home streaming devices to Thread 1.4. As first spotted by Matter Alpha and 9to5 Google, the latest spec has
Read Full Story at The Verge →Why This Matters
The adoption of Thread 1.4 by Apple and Google signals a critical step toward unifying the fragmented smart home ecosystem. This move could accelerate the adoption of Matter-compliant devices by ensuring backward compatibility and smoother interoperability, addressing one of the biggest frustrations for consumers in the smart home market.
Background Context
Thread, a low-power wireless mesh networking protocol, has long been overshadowed by Zigbee and Z-Wave despite its superior scalability in dense device environments. Apple’s HomeKit, which has historically relied on Thread for its most reliable connections, and Google’s Nest ecosystem have both struggled with inconsistent support. The 1.4 update arrives as the Matter standard gains traction, offering a potential lifeline for Thread’s long-term relevance.
What Happens Next
Consumers can expect more Thread-enabled devices to hit the market, particularly as manufacturers align with Matter’s certification requirements. However, the real test will be whether this synergy between Apple and Google forces Amazon and others to follow suit, lest they risk ceding ground in a market where interoperability is becoming a baseline expectation rather than a premium feature.
Bigger Picture
This development underscores the growing consolidation around standard-setting bodies like the Connectivity Standards Alliance, where giants like Apple and Google now see strategic value in open protocols. It also reflects a broader shift where hardware differentiation is giving way to software-defined ecosystems, where control over the user experience—not the device itself—drives competitive advantage.
