Key Takeaways
- Protocol convergence: By the end of 2026, Hue bulbs based on the MG26 and SiMG301 chips will support Zigbee and Matter over Thread simultaneously via a firmware update.
- New devices: Launched in June, the wired switches (Wired On/Off, Wired Dimmer, Wired Wall Switch Module) and E14 candle bulbs feature full-spectrum daylight technology, delivering 40% greater efficiency.
- Business scale: Signify now manages over 156 million connected IoT products, the majority running on Zigbee and Matter.
The End of the Forced Choice Between Bridge and Matter
Signify and Silicon Labs have developed a firmware update that eliminates the main technical limitation of the Philips Hue ecosystem: the simultaneous incompatibility between the Zigbee bridge and Matter over Thread networks. Until now, anyone choosing to connect their bulbs to an ecosystem like Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home had to give up the advanced features of the Hue app, requiring a full device reset if they changed their mind.
Philips Hue CTO George Yianni confirmed that models with the MG26 and SiMG301 chips will be able to operate on both protocols at the same time. A single bulb will therefore respond to both the proprietary bridge and the Thread network, maintaining access to dynamic scenes and entertainment sync while remaining controllable through third-party platforms for everyday operations.
Wired Switches and a New Product Lineup
In June, Signify introduced three wired modules - the Wired On/Off Switch, Wired Dimmer Switch, and Wired Wall Switch Module - designed to be installed behind traditional light switches. The key difference compared to battery-powered versions lies in the continuous power supply: connected smart bulbs remain permanently reachable on the network and retain their configured settings.
Alongside these, Signify also released the Play table and floor lamps, designed for lighting synchronized with audiovisual content and video games, along with a new generation of E14 candle bulbs featuring full-spectrum daylight technology, capable of replicating the natural shift in light throughout the day.
Signify's Role in IoT Standards
A study from Aarhus University documented how Signify and third-party developers have maintained the quality of apps complementary to the Hue ecosystem over time, an element identified as critical to the survival of a digital platform. The journey has not been free of friction: in 2019, the removal of the local developer API sparked widespread protests within the technical community.
In 2026, Signify stands among the central players of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the organization that defines the Matter standard. The company manages over 156 million connected IoT products, distributed primarily across Zigbee and Matter, confirming a strategy focused on interoperability rather than closed ecosystem control.
