Eve Systems is following through with their commitment to HomeKit over Thread by bringing the Thread version of its smart switch Eve Energy to the U.S., adding the smart weather station Eve Weather to the product line, and announcing Thread-enabled firmware for Eve Aqua (2nd generation).
The new releases raise the number of Eve devices that have received certification by the Thread Group to eight – marking the largest portfolio of Thread compatible consumer technology devices by a smart home brand, according to Eve Systems CEO Jerome Gackel.
As a main-powered Thread device that is always on, the new generation of Eve Energy U.S. and UK can take over the essential role as a router within a Thread network, and relay data packets. The more of these routers operate on the network, the more stable and greater its reach becomes, says Gackel.
By contrast, battery-operated Thread accessories, such as Eve Weather or Eve Aqua (2nd generation), represent endpoints in a Thread network. Eve Energy will arrive April 6 at a price of US$39.95.
Eve Weather presents weather trends at a glance and makes it easy to track local outdoor temperature, humidity and barometric pressure – on the iPhone or directly on the display. The Eve app aggregates current and past climate data, empowering the user with insights of the weather at their doorstep.
In order to help dress for the day’s weather before setting out, Siri will render the accurate outside temperature in the morning. Eve Weather offers wireless operation with support for Bluetooth and Thread. It will be available for $69.95 on March 25.
Eve Aqua is smart smart water controller. With Thread support, it can transmit higher power and extended range by placing a router-enabled Thread device like Eve Energy (4th generation) in between it and, for example, a HomePod mini. Eve Aqua (2nd generation) is now available for $99.95.
Thread technology is specifically developed for smart home applications to improve connectivity between accessories. Now, HomeKit products can communicate not only using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but also using HomeKit over Thread.
Gackel says the big difference with this technology is that Thread creates a mesh network. Within this, lights, thermostats, outlets, sensors, and more, can also talk to each other free of the constraint of having to go through a central hub, such as a
bridge. That’s because a Thread network doesn’t need one. If a single accessory fails, the data packets are simply relayed to the next device in the mesh. In short: A network that is enabled by a HomePod mini to speak HomeKit.
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