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By Ryan Daws | 27th September 2024

Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media with over a decade of experience in crafting compelling narratives and making complex topics accessible. His articles and interviews with industry leaders have earned him recognition as a key influencer by organisations like Onalytica. Under his leadership, publications have been praised by analyst firms such as Forrester for their excellence and performance. Connect with him on X (@gadget_ry) or Mastodon (@gadgetry@techhub.social)

Google continues to weave Thread technology into the very fabric of its ecosystem as it aims to make the smart home more cohesive. Recent releases and discoveries suggest the tech giant is betting big on Thread and Matter as cornerstones of tomorrow’s connected homes.

The latest Pixel 9 series and Google TV Streamer now boast built-in Thread radios, potentially serving as central hubs for smart device control. But Google’s ambitions don’t stop there. The sleuths at Android Authority uncovered telling clues in a recent Google Play Services beta (v24.38) that hints at deeper Thread integration on the horizon.

Strings mentioning “Thread Networks” and “Thread Networks Control Center” were spotted in the beta code, pointing towards Google’s intention to transform Play Services into a Thread network management powerhouse.

This latest development would align with the company’s ongoing efforts to streamline Thread network setup, including a cloud backup feature for Thread credentials and support for the Thread Group’s credential sharing initiative.

While the timeline for full Thread integration remains under wraps, it’s clear Google is playing the long game. Industry watchers predict a gradual shift, with Thread radios becoming commonplace in smart home gadgets and mobile devices over the coming years.

For the uninitiated, Thread is a communication protocol that uses IEEE 802.15.4 radio technology on the 2.4 GHz spectrum, which can be deployed worldwide and is harnessed by the Matter smart home standard. It promises zippier device-to-device chatter than traditional WiFi or Bluetooth, though it does require purpose-built hardware.

Matter serves as a universal translator for smart home devices and intends to break down the walls between competing ecosystems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. The end goal? A harmonious smart home where devices play nice, regardless of their original allegiance.

As Google continues to champion these technologies, it’s evident the company envisions a future where Thread and Matter form the backbone of more cohesive, efficient, and user-friendly smart homes.

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