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Title: IKEA Ditches Zigbee For Thread Going All In On Matter Smart Homes

Link: https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/25/07/09/20...

IKEA is relaunching its smart home line with over 20 new Matter-over-Thread
devices that will work across ecosystems such as Apple Home and Amazon Alexa,
with or without IKEA's own hub. This marks a major shift toward openness,
affordability, and interoperability, and positions IKEA as one of the first
major retailers to bring Matter to the mainstream while maintaining backward
compatibility with Zigbee products. The Verge reports: We don't have a lot of
details on the over 20 new devices coming next year, but [David Granath of
IKEA of Sweden] confirmed that they are replacing existing functions. So, new
smart bulbs, plugs, sensors, remotes, buttons, and air-quality devices,
including temperature and humidity monitors. They will also come with a new
design. Although "not necessarily what's been leaked," says Granath,
referring to images of the Bilresa Dual Button that appeared earlier this
year. He did confirm that some new product categories will arrive in January,
with more to follow in April and beyond, including potentially Matter-over-Wi-
Fi products. Pricing will be comparable to or lower than that of previous
products, which start under $10. "Affordability remains a key priority for
us." "The premium to make a product smart is not that high anymore, so you
can expect new product types and form factors coming," he says. "Matter
unlocks interoperability, ease of use, and affordability for us. The
standardization process means more companies are sharing the workload of
developing for this." Despite the move away from Zigbee, IKEA is keeping
Zigbee's Touchlink functionality. This point-to-point protocol allows devices
to be paired directly to each other and work together out of the box, without
an app or hub -- such as the bulb and remote bundles IKEA sells. This means
older Zigbee remotes can control the newer Thread bulbs and vice versa,
retaining backward compatibility with its Tradfri line. "Touchlink and Matter
will coexist in new products," says Granath. "It's still very important for
IKEA -- not everyone wants an app or hub." Interestingly, IKEA's new Matter-
over-Thread products will also work without the IKEA hub or app, as they can
be set up directly in any compatible Matter smart home ecosystem, such as
Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant,
and others.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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