SAN RAMON, Calif. — The Thread Group has announced the release of Thread, its new IP-based wireless networking protocol designed for low-power connected products in the home. Product developers who are members of the Thread Group can now access technical specifications and documentation to build Thread-compliant products.

“Thread was designed to be the foundation of the Internet of Things in the home by allowing developers and consumers to easily and securely connect hundreds of devices within a low-power, wireless mesh network,” said Chris Boross, president, Thread Group. “In the nine months since opening membership, more than 160 companies have joined the Thread Group, and now the group is launching the Thread technical specification, which has now completed extensive interoperability testing.” This announcement “means that Thread products are on the way and will be in customers’ hands very shortly. I’m excited to see what kinds of products and experiences Thread developers will build.”

Qualcomm Inc. is joining the Thread Group board of directors. Qualcomm’s subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., has established a framework for interoperable connectivity and communications, and is committed to delivering standards-based IP technologies and supporting open platforms that coexist and interoperate with a broad range of solutions.

“When it comes to easily and securely connecting the smart home, the work of industry alliances like the Thread Group are essential,” said Raj Talluri, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies. “Collaborating with the Thread Group allows for the integration of this technology into the world’s leading brands of household appliances, and to thereby speed innovation and market transformation.”

The Thread Group also announced that it retained Thomas Sciorilli to lead the Thread product certification program launching in September. He joins the Thread Group as director of product certification with more than 15 years of experience leading and growing technical organizations. In his role, Sciorilli will oversee testing to ensure that Thread products work together right out of the box. Thread-certified products can bear the Thread logo, indicating they have been certified for quality, security, and interoperability, and to help consumers identify them on the market.

For more information, visit http://threadgroup.org.

Publication date: 7/20/2015

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