Nanoleaf Unveils Sense Plus Smart Switch
Nanoleaf Releases Sense Plus Smart Switch for Pre-order at $30, Shipping in October
After almost ten years of development, Nanoleaf has finally launched its smart switch, the Sense Plus, available for pre-order at $30 with shipping scheduled for October. Originally designed to work with Thread, Nanoleaf had to switch gears and develop its proprietary Litewave protocol to ensure reliability. The battery-powered Sense offers physical control over Nanoleaf’s smart lighting, enabling users to adjust settings without needing voice commands or a phone. It also includes built-in motion and light sensors to adapt to room conditions.
The Sense also features two customizable buttons that can be programmed through Nanoleaf’s app or integrated with Apple Home and Samsung SmartThings via Matter. However, Matter support is currently in an early access program. The switch utilizes both Matter over Thread and Litewave to communicate with Nanoleaf’s lights, regardless of their protocol.
According to Nanoleaf co-founder and CEO Gimmy Chu, the company faced challenges with Matter over Thread, leading to the development of Litewave for a more reliable local connection. Litewave ensures instant control without the need for a Thread border router or Matter controller, simplifying setup. Nanoleaf has also introduced its first Matter over Wi-Fi light bulb, aimed at a broader market unfamiliar with Thread, available at Walmart for $29.99 for a two-pack.
As Thread continues to evolve, companies like Nanoleaf are exploring alternative solutions to ensure their products seamlessly integrate into the smart home ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- Nanoleaf's Sense Plus Smart Wireless Switch is now available for pre-order at $30, shipping in October.
- The switch uses a proprietary protocol called Litewave, developed after pivoting from Thread.
- Sense features six buttons for controlling lighting, with two configurable buttons for custom automations.
- Litewave allows the switch to communicate with all Nanoleaf lights, regardless of their protocol.
- Nanoleaf also introduces its first Matter over Wi-Fi light bulb, aimed at a broader market.
Analysis
Nanoleaf's pivot to Litewave from Thread highlights challenges in smart home interoperability. The Sense Plus's proprietary protocol ensures reliable local control, benefiting users by simplifying setup and enhancing responsiveness. This move may pressure competitors to innovate, potentially accelerating advancements in smart home tech. Short-term, Nanoleaf gains a competitive edge; long-term, broader adoption of Litewave could reshape industry standards, impacting companies like Apple and Samsung reliant on Matter. Financial instruments tied to smart home tech stocks may see volatility.
Did You Know?
- Thread Protocol: A low-power, low-bandwidth wireless mesh networking protocol designed for IoT devices, particularly in smart home applications. It is designed to be more reliable and secure than other wireless protocols like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but it requires a Thread border router to connect to the internet.
- Litewave Protocol: A proprietary wireless protocol developed by Nanoleaf as an alternative to Thread. It was created to ensure more reliable local communication between the Sense Plus smart switch and Nanoleaf's smart lighting products, without the need for a Thread border router or Matter controller.
- Matter (formerly Project CHIP): A unified connectivity standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) to simplify the integration of smart home devices from different manufacturers. Matter aims to create a common language for IoT devices, allowing them to work seamlessly together regardless of the underlying communication protocols like Thread, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.