Matter Over Thread

Philips Hue is preparing a change that could make its smart lights much easier to move across different smart home ecosystems. By the end of this year, selected Hue lights will be updated to support Zigbee and Matter over Thread at the same time.That matters because users have long had to choose one connection path or the other. When a compatible Hue light is set up through Matter, Zigbee access is disabled, making a switch to another system more cumbersome than it should be.A more flexible setup for everyday useThe new approach comes from Signify, the parent company of Philips Hue. Signify says lights with native Matter support will receive an update that allows both connectivity standards to run simultaneously.For smart home users, the practical benefit is straightforward even if it is not something that is noticed every day. Dual support makes it easier to move a light collection from one hub or ecosystem to another without repeating the reset process.Today, some Philips Hue lights already support Matter, but the current implementation still limits them to one connection type at a time. If a light is paired through the Hue Bridge, it uses Zigbee, while a Matter over Thread setup disables Zigbee on that device.That creates a clear barrier for users who want to change systems. A light already paired with the Hue Bridge must be reset before it can be moved to a Matter setup, and the same is true in reverse.Why the change matters for smart home compatibilityThe official Hue Bridge connects lights through Zigbee, while Matter over Thread is now supported by a broader range of smart home hubs and ecosystems. Philips Hue is therefore moving toward a setup that is easier to fit into mixed-device homes.This is not only about long-time Hue users. It also helps people who want to combine multiple brands in one home and keep the lighting layer more adaptable as their ecosystem changes.In daily use, the benefit may not be dramatic for everyone. Hue lights already connected through Zigbee can be accessed in Google Home through backend integration.Still, the main advantage is flexibility. Users who want to move several lights at once to a different ecosystem will no longer need to deal with the reset and reconfiguration process that previously slowed everything down.Which devices are expected to get the updateSignify said the update will be available for lights using Silicon Labs MG26 and SiMG301 chips. That points to Hue devices that already include Matter support.Not every model has been listed individually in the announcement. However, Hueblog says the lineup that will eventually receive the update includes current E27 standard bulbs, among other models.Signify is also preparing future products with the same direction in mind. The next Hue releases will be built with Zigbee and Matter over Thread support together from the start.That signals a clear shift for the Hue line. Rather than forcing users to commit to a single connection standard, Philips Hue appears to be making its lights more ready for a wider range of smart home infrastructure.When the update will arriveSignify says the update for compatible lights will roll out by the end of this year. The change is not available yet, but it is set to arrive through a software update.For users who already own Hue lights with Matter support, the rollout is worth watching closely. If a model is included among the supported chip-based devices, the update could become one of the most useful improvements for managing a multi-platform smart home.The move may not change how the lights turn on or add new lighting features. But for compatibility, Philips Hue is closing one of the biggest gaps between the long-established Zigbee ecosystem and the increasingly widely supported Matter over Thread standard. Source: www.androidauthority.com

Philips Hue Gets More Flexible, No Reset Needed When Switching Smart Home Ecosystems