Zwave decides to open up single sourcing

[LarrylLix]

Afraid of losing their smart control  ground, the single-sourced chip producer decides they might need to open the playing field.
 
https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/19/21029661/zwave-open-standard-radios-smart-home-multiple-vendors-silicon-labs
 

 

[ano]

Hmmm...  Isn't this what they did in 2016? 
https://www.cepro.com/news/sigma_designs_opens_up_z_wave_interoperability_with_public_spec_no_licenses/

 

[LarrylLix]

Nope. Manufacture vs. use.
 
The 2019 article states 
"With today’s change, Silicon Labs is going to start letting other companies make Z-Wave radios, too. That addresses the biggest ongoing complaint with Z-Wave: that Silicon Labs (and Sigma Designs, which owned Z-Wave for years before it) effectively had control over the entire ecosystem."
 
The 2016 article states.
"But Sigma is now opening up Z-Wave’s interoperability layer, enabling third parties to integrate with Z-Wave devices without becoming official licensees."
 
I wonder what kind of royalties they will retain though.

 

[ano]

So since 2014, Japanese company Mitsumi has been manufacturing Z-wave radios under license. Are you saying they no longer require a license and are giving away the technology for free?

 

[LarrylLix]

Read the linked article.