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Eve Systems today announced the newest version of its HomeKit-compatible Eve Energy Smart Plug, introducing Thread integration.

eve-energy-thread.jpg

The fourth-generation Eve Energy supports HomeKit over Thread, and as a main-powered always-on Thread accessory, Eve Energy serves as a router node in the Thread network to make smart homes more reliable with better reach throughout the house.

As a Thread router node, the Eve Energy can relay other accessories' data packages in the Thread mesh network for overall performance improvements.
"Packing Thread router functionality into a premium quality, small-footprint smart plug, Eve Energy is the quintessential HomeKit accessory," said Jerome Gackel, CEO of Eve Systems. "Not only does it offer endless automation possibilities, but it also delivers an ultra-robust network to ensure that your schedules and timers work, any time and any place."
As a Smart Home device, Eve Energy is a plug that can turn any standard appliance into a smart appliance, allowing it to be controlled through the Eve app, though the Home app, and with Siri voice commands.

With the Eve app, users can monitor the energy consumption and energy costs of whatever is plugged into the Eve Energy.

If a smart home setup has a HomePod or Apple TV as a home hub, users can access their accessories when away from home, plus the Eve Energy supports automations that work with other HomeKit products.

Through Thread and Bluetooth integration, Eve Energy can join a Thread network automatically, and it will work more reliably than a standalone Bluetooth-enabled accessory. Eve has several other Thread-compatible accessories including the Eve Door & Window, Eve Weather, and Eve Aqua.

Eve Energy can be purchased from the Eve online store for $40, and it will soon be available from Apple and Amazon.

Article Link: Eve Debuts Thread-Enabled Eve Energy HomeKit Smart Plug
 
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I would love to get these (if they're available in Germany) but I had the original smart plugs (2 of them) and they both had a very noticeable whining/beeping noise when they were switched on which was incredible annoying for me. Don't know if that's fixed here.
 
Still haven't found anyone that can tell me what Thread is and how it is any better or different from what we've had all along.
A network for your smart home devices. While Bluetooth and WiFi depend on a hub or router, Thread does not.

In a traditional network you could only extend said network by buying additional hubs or routers, in a Thread network a device itself can extend the network.
 
Still haven't found anyone that can tell me what Thread is and how it is any better or different from what we've had all along.
It’s a lot like a mesh wifi network. Each node (thread enabled device) then talks to the other nodes and the more there are the better and stronger the signal, thereby boosting the rest of them at the same time.

It also runs on a different frequency than the normal wifi does, so it shouldn’t interfere or slow down your actual wifi network.

It’s also future-proof, in that a thread-enabled device should work with the CHIP protocol, which is the standard that the big home automation companies are putting together for better cross-platform compatibility
 
Still haven't found anyone that can tell me what Thread is and how it is any better or different from what we've had all along.
Second paragraph of this article:

The fourth-generation Eve Energy supports HomeKit over Thread, and as a main-powered always-on Thread accessory, Eve Energy serves as a router node in the Thread network to make smart homes more reliable with better reach throughout the house.
 
I thought one of the great things about Thread was that it was compatible with all current devices. With one small firmware push older devices are Thread capable. I

I‘m guessing manufacturers said screw that, you want thread you buy new?
 
It’s a lot like a mesh wifi network. Each node (thread enabled device) then talks to the other nodes and the more there are the better and stronger the signal, thereby boosting the rest of them at the same time.

It also runs on a different frequency than the normal wifi does, so it shouldn’t interfere or slow down your actual wifi network.

It’s also future-proof, in that a thread-enabled device should work with the CHIP protocol, which is the standard that the big home automation companies are putting together for better cross-platform compatibility
That's a good answer but I assume these products still have to connect to WiFi. They aren't just magically interfacing with your WiFi network.

I have plenty of smart home devices that 1) use Wifi 2) Don't slow it down 3) Don't require any hubs. 4) Don't have any connectivity problems.
 
A network for your smart home devices. While Bluetooth and WiFi depend on a hub or router, Thread does not.

In a traditional network you could only extend said network by buying additional hubs or routers, in a Thread network a device itself can extend the network.
So like ZigBee (what Philips Hue is using), Z-Wave or Bluetooth Mesh?

As for Smart Plug - the ability to turn on or off a device is not making a device "smart" IMHO.
 
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Still haven't found anyone that can tell me what Thread is and how it is any better or different from what we've had all along.
Think of it as its own mesh network - the more Thread devices, the stronger the connection and it's capable of "self-healing" - essentially if a device goes offline, others can quickly fill the void.

HP Mini and the new Apple TV have thread so you can control other devices and use them as a hub/router.
You'll start to see more devices thread-enable (including the new Apple TV). It's faster, far more secure and more and more companies are jumping on board - including Apple, Google and Samsung.
 
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A network for your smart home devices. While Bluetooth and WiFi depend on a hub or router, Thread does not.

In a traditional network you could only extend said network by buying additional hubs or routers, in a Thread network a device itself can extend the network.

It does require what I remember being called as a border router (memory fuzzy) to bridge from Thread network to IP network. That being said, there are a lot of routers and other smart thingies that do implement that. Well, 'a lot' is debatable...
 
It does require what I remember being called as a border router (memory fuzzy) to bridge from Thread network to IP network. That being said, there are a lot of routers and other smart thingies that do implement that. Well, 'a lot' is debatable...
Yep. That's right. But thankfully you only need one for the whole network. And a HomePod mini can do that.
 
Love my Nanoleaf A19 light bulbs with Thread. Work instantly and reliably with my HomePod mini. Don't have much use for an outlet right now but nice to know it's an option with Thread.
 
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Seems like Eve is becoming (or already is?) the preferred partner brand for HomeKit smart devices... I only have 2 old Wemo plugs that are HomeKit compatible, but I like that Eve has a ton of other products in their set too.

Anyone here already use a full Eve setup? Curious about how well it all functions together (Energy, Door/Window, Water Guard, cams)
 
That's a good answer but I assume these products still have to connect to WiFi. They aren't just magically interfacing with your WiFi network.

I have plenty of smart home devices that 1) use Wifi 2) Don't slow it down 3) Don't require any hubs. 4) Don't have any connectivity problems.

That's been the rub with the Eve accessories - they are bluetooth only. So they'll need to be within range of your Homekit hub - or now with Thread, within range of another device that is within range of your Homekit hub

They say this is a positive, because bluetooth uses less energy. I have found it to be a big negative, as it greatly limits where in the house I can place an Eve device. I'm now favoring devices from Meross, which do connect via wifi and are ~ $15 a piece.

The first time a family member tries to turn on a light and gets the "device not found" error, you'll be questioning why you went with bluetooth in the first place.
 
I own 2 HomePod Mini's - how do we do the initial Thread network setup? I assume it is not fully automatic? Is there a way to view your current thread network? For a traditional wifi router I have the Asus RT-AX58U (wifi6)
 
I own 2 HomePod Mini's - how do we do the initial Thread network setup? I assume it is not fully automatic? Is there a way to view your current thread network? For a traditional wifi router I have the Asus RT-AX58U (wifi6)
My understanding is that with the HomePod minis and a thread device they will automatically switch.. I don’t have a thread device yet to confirm tho..
 
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