Based on changes seen in git commits that updated branding - they ended up keeping the same device ids because the hardware is the same. Only the name and exterior case visual appearance have changed. Keeping the same ids makes it simpler to ensure that both devices continue to receive the same firmware updates.
Does the ZBT-1 Thread firmware already support thread 1.4 ? And is that backwards compatible with thread 1.3 de devices
Thread uses IPv6 so of course Thread 1.4 and newer will be backwards compatible with Thread 1.3 devices.
Newer versions of Thread Border Router will always be compatible with all older Thread devices.
Wheather or not future Thread based Matter devices and HomeKit devices will be backwards compatible is another seperate question as you are then talking about the application layer instead of the transport layer and even further down the OSI stack.
For example; Matter aims to build a universal IPv6-based communication protocol for smart home devices. The protocol defines the application layer that will be deployed on devices and the different link layers to help maintain interoperability.
That is, Matter and HomeKit runs at the application layer and only depend on the networking layer that is under it. The following diagram illustrates the normal operational mode of the Matter stakc:
Not yet but looks like the newer firmware likely could do so relativly soon, or at least soon enough, as FYI, niether current Matter devices or any Thread based HomeKit devices will Thread 1.4 any time soon so it is not exacly a rush.But you can keep and eye on Nabu Casa firmware development:
For reference, SkyConnect/ZBT-1 is based on Silicon Labs EFR32MG21 (Silibs EFR32MG2x series) so it depends on when support is added upstream to Silicon Labs OpenThread SDK:
Note that Silicon Labs is the market leader so they are likely to add support sooner that most others.
FYI, also note that they depend on Silicon Labs Gecko SDK now and will soon migrate to Simplicity SDK:
At least technically Nabu Casa could support it soon in the Thread Boarder Router firmware for SkyConnect/ZBT-1 as looks like they are working on upgrade to Silabs Gecko SDK 4.4.5 which in turn uses Silicon Labs OpenThread SDK 2.4.5.0 and that does at least Includes Alpha / Experimental features for conformance to enable initial support for Thread 1.4
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