Nest releases OpenThread in IoT innovation push

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Nest has launched OpenThread, a version of the connected home networking protocol used in the firm's products available to the open-source community.

Announced on Wednesday, the company said the OpenThread project will accelerate the development of products for the connected home.

OpenThread is the fully public implementation of the Thread networking protocol suitable for Internet of Things (IoT) products and is used in Nest's own range of connected devices.

Nest, snapped up by Google for $3.2 billion in 2014, offers the public connected devices including a smart thermostat and the Nest Protect smoke & CO alarm.

Now, the same infrastructure these devices use to communicate with each other as well as our mobile devices can be used by businesses and developers interested in creating their own IoT solutions.

"As more silicon providers adopt Thread, manufacturers will have the option of using a proven networking technology rather than creating their own, and consumers will have a growing selection of secure and reliable connected products to choose from," Nest says.

In addition to Nest, ARM, Atmel, Dialog Semiconductor, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments all have plans to contribute to the development of OpenThread.

The networking protocol can also be used in development kits from both NXP Semiconductors and Silicon Labs.

Greg Hu, Head of Nest Platform and Works commented:

"Thread makes it possible for devices to simply, securely, and reliably connect to each other and to the cloud. Because Thread is an IPv6 networking protocol built on open standards, millions of existing 802.15.4 wireless devices on the market can be easily updated to run Thread.

OpenThread will significantly accelerate the deployment of Thread in these devices, establishing Thread as one of the key networking technology standards for connected products in the home."

The primary version of OpenThread is available on GitHub.