A few years ago, Samsung transitioned the manufacturing of SmartThings Hubs to Aeotec, a German firm. Aeotec has now launched the Smart Home Hub 2, promising better performance and a host of new features. Though, a significant change has been made: the new hub lacks Z-Wave radio support, a feature present in all previous SmartThings Hubs.

Aeotec announced the Smart Home Hub 2 (via ⁣ The verge), positioning it as the latest official hub ⁤for Samsung SmartThings. It boasts upgraded hardware for faster processing,extended range,support for a greater number of smart home devices,USB expandability,and compatibility with SmartThings Hub,Bluetooth Low Energy,Zigbee,Thread,and⁢ Matter ‍Controller. Despite‍ these advancements, the ⁣removal of Z-Wave support has sparked discussion within the smart home community.

The decision to remove Z-Wave ⁢support is likely multi-faceted. Several factors are likely at play:

• Rise of newer Protocols: ⁢ Protocols like Matter, Thread, and Zigbee are gaining traction and offer advantages in terms⁢ of interoperability and security. Aeotec⁣ and Samsung may be prioritizing these newer standards.
• Cost Optimization: Including Z-Wave support adds to the cost of the hub. Removing it could allow for a ‍more competitive price point.
• Market Trends: While⁤ still popular,⁣ Z-Wave’s market share is⁢ being challenged⁢ by newer technologies.
• Simplification: Reducing the number‍ of supported protocols can simplify the development and maintenance of the hub’s software.

However, Z-Wave remains a widely ⁣used ⁤protocol, notably for security devices and