Keep up with the latest home automation tech with Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread – Cult of Mac

Wemos latest dimmer switch uses HomeKit over Thread for fast, reliable connections. Photo: Belkin/Wemo

Dimming your lights is just the most obvious feature of the newly announced Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread. It uses mesh networking to provide fast, reliable connections to your HomeKit home-automation system so you can control the switch from anywhere across the room or across the country.

Plus, the wall dimmer switch doesnt require a neutral wire so it can be installed in older homes as easily as new ones.

Dimmer switches that support Apple HomeKit can control a light with the press of a button, or with your voice via Siri from an iPhone, HomePod, etc. Or set schedules in the Home app so lights turn on or off whenever you want them to.

But smart switches arent new Wemo has had one since 2018.What sets Wemos upgraded Smart Dimmer apart is support for Thread.This is an emerging wireless standard that creates low-power mesh networks to connect devices. Rather than each device having to communicate with a hub, they can communicate with each other to pass commands to the hub.

With Thread, the dimmer switch can be installed in a room well away from a homes HomeKit hub. There just need to be other Thread-compatible accessories for commands to pass through. When Thread isnt available, the device switches to Bluetooth.

The Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread costs $59.99. Wemos parent company Belkin is taking preorders now and says the product will be out before the end of August. Its also coming soon to Amazon.

Buy from: Belkin

This isnt Belkins only product with Thread. Others include Wemo StageScene Controller, Wemo Smart Plug with Threadand Wemo Smart Video Doorbell.

Other companies have embraced the new standard as well. Most notably, the Apple HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K support Thread. And theres the Eve Motion sensor. Other companies have announced plans to support it.

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Keep up with the latest home automation tech with Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread - Cult of Mac