# What is Thread? | Google's Jonathan Hui | Internet of Things Podcast

- Show: [IoT For All Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast)
- Published: 2023-05-02
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-02-what-is-thread-googles-jonathan-hui-internet-of-things-podcast
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iot-for-all/episodes/What-is-Thread---Googles-Jonathan-Hui--Internet-of-Things-Podcast-e28bk31

## Summary

Jonathan Hui, Principal Software Engineer at Google and VP of Technology at Thread Group, explains that Thread is a low-power, IP-based mesh networking protocol designed for smart home and commercial building applications. He contrasts Thread with Wi-Fi, highlighting Thread's superior battery life and robust mesh routing for low-data devices like sensors and door locks, while noting Wi-Fi's strength in high-throughput scenarios. Hui details how Thread integrates with Matter by leveraging the Internet Protocol to create a unified, vendor-agnostic network that solves industry-wide interoperability and reliability challenges.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-02-what-is-thread-googles-jonathan-hui-internet-of-things-podcast#t=0) Introduction: Jonathan Hui and Thread Group
- [2:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-02-what-is-thread-googles-jonathan-hui-internet-of-things-podcast#t=144) Thread vs. Wi-Fi: Power, Throughput, and Use Cases
- [6:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-02-what-is-thread-googles-jonathan-hui-internet-of-things-podcast#t=377) Mesh Networking Benefits: Range, Robustness, and Vendor Agnosticism
- [8:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-02-what-is-thread-googles-jonathan-hui-internet-of-things-podcast#t=502) Thread and Matter Integration via Internet Protocol
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-02-what-is-thread-googles-jonathan-hui-internet-of-things-podcast#t=663) Limitations: When Thread is Not the Right Choice
- [13:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2023-05-02-what-is-thread-googles-jonathan-hui-internet-of-things-podcast#t=836) IoT Challenges: Interoperability and Reliability Expectations

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Google (company)
- Thread Group (company)
- Matter (other)
- Wi-Fi (other)
- Thread (other)
- Z-Wave (other)
- LoRa (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 9 | Mesh Networking for IoT Smart Homes with ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-09-11-ep-9-mesh-networking-for-iot-smart-homes-with-zigbee-z-wave-and-bluetooth) (Moore's Lobby)
- [458: Fiddling, DIY, and Cursing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-31-458-fiddling-diy-and-cursing) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 8](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8) (The Spark Gap)
- [Episode 33: The Land of IoT with Guest Stacey Higginbotham](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-09-10-episode-33-the-land-of-iot-with-guest-stacey-higginbotham) (The Circuit)
- [Why IoT Is Difficult with Jonathan Beri](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-18-why-iot-is-difficult-with-jonathan-beri) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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