Overview
- Philips Hue announced a firmware-driven connectivity upgrade that will let compatible bulbs keep Thread, Zigbee, and Bluetooth radios active at the same time.
- The change is enabled by Silicon Labs’ concurrent multiprotocol technology (CMP), which synchronizes radio timing so multiple wireless protocols can run in parallel without interference.
- Signify will roll the feature out to recent Hue products built on Silicon Labs’ MG26 and SiMG301 wireless chips later in 2026.
- With simultaneous radios, lights can be controlled by a Matter controller directly while remaining linked to a Hue Bridge, so Matter traffic does not have to route through the Bridge.
- Hue says it is not moving its ecosystem to Thread today but notes that dual‑radio devices could act as powered Thread mesh extenders and give the company flexibility if Thread standards evolve.