I've tried looking this up and I think the answers are just written a little bit too over my head. I am curious in the case of the Inovelli Thread/Matter Dimmer, what radio is being used to communicate between HE and the dimmer?
Are these switches on my local 2.4ghz wifi network and communicating via the wifi access points? Are they using the 2.4ghz Zigbee antenna built directly on the HE? Some other witchcraft?
Please and thank you. I don't understand the long drawn-out explanations of this technology that I've previously researched.
Hubitat Hubs do not have a local Thread 2.4GHz radio onboard. Thus, in order to use "Matter over Thread" devices, you will need some other device in your home to act as a "Thread Border Router" device. Some Apple HomePods and AppleTVs have this capability, along with some models of Google Home Hubs and Amazon Echo devices.
A Thread based device uses a 2.4GHz radio, but it is different than 2.4GHz WiFi or 2.4GHz Zigbee. Thread is its own, unique, mesh wireless protocol. Think of it as a new and 'improved' version of Zigbee.
A Thread Border Router allows "Matter over Thread" devices to be 'seen' on your home network, just like any other "Matter over WiFi" or "Matter over Ethernet" devices. It is these types of devices that can be 'seen' by Hubitat, since Hubitat does not have a built-in Thread radio.
I know this was a little long-winded, and I apologize. But it is just not a super simple topic to try to explain. I hope this helps in some way!
Edit: Maybe a picture will help. Hubitat is a "Matter Controller" in the following diagram.
OK, yes actually that does help. Thank you. I couldn't understand how this was going to work, because it's not going to. I don't have a TBR. I see you recommend an Apple Homepod, but would the Aquara Smart Hub M3 accomplish the same?
It depends... If you are going to use Aqara Zigbee devices, then the Aqara M3 hub will help once Hubitat releases support for "Matter Bridges". A Matter Bridge is a device (e.g. Philips Hue Hub, Aqara M3 hub, etc.) that can convert non-Matter devices into Matter Device, by bridging the non-Matter and Matter worlds.
In the currently released version of Hubitat firmware, I do not believe that support for Matter Bridge devices has been included. However, I believe that support may be coming in a future release. I have used an Aqara M3 hub as a Matter Bridge to bring in Aqara Zigbee sensors, using @kkossev's Community Matter Bridge Integration. It does indeed work well!
As for a Matter over Thread devices... That is a very good question. I am not sure if an Aqara M3 hub can act as a Thread Border Router. I am guessing that it is possible/likely that it does, however I have not personally tested it. Also, the Aqara M3 hub may not support non-Aqara Matter over Thread devices. It would be something to be aware of before spending a bunch of money on the Aqara M3 Hub and Inovelli Thread Switches/Dimmers. Hopefully others will chime in with their firsthand experience.
It is about the same price as a used HomePod mini. However, I personally have only used a HomePod mini and an Apple TV 4K. Between the two, the HomePod mini was more useful for me. But I am fully invested in the Apple ecosystem.
