Google has rolled out the first software update of the year for its Google TV Streamer, bringing support for Thread 1.4 and delivering a notable enhancement to the company’s smart home ecosystem.

While the official release notes only mention general bug fixes and performance improvements, 9to5Google has reported that the update also introduces compatibility with Thread 1.4.

Although Thread 1.4 became available in 2024, adoption across consumer hardware has been gradual. Apple is also preparing to introduce support for the standard through iOS 27 and tvOS 27 later this year.

For those unfamiliar with Thread, it is a wireless mesh networking technology designed for Matter-enabled smart homes and supported by major technology companies including Amazon, Apple, Google and Samsung. Unlike Wi-Fi, Thread creates a dedicated network for smart home devices, with reliability and network strength generally improving as additional compatible devices are added.

One of the most important benefits of Thread 1.4 is its ability to eliminate fragmented Thread networks that can occur when devices from different manufacturers are installed within the same Matter-based smart home. Under the new standard, compatible devices can operate on a single unified mesh network, although all participating devices must also support Thread 1.4 for the feature to work as intended. As manufacturers roll out updates, this transition is expected to take place gradually.

Google TV Streamer 4K

The latest version also introduces Thread-over-Infrastructure support. This allows existing Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections to assist the Thread mesh, helping to improve signal coverage and network performance across larger homes.

Another enhancement is the ability to securely share Thread network credentials between products from different brands. This simplifies the process of adding new devices to a smart home setup. Following the update, the Google TV Streamer can share these credentials through QR codes.

Thread 1.4 is also expected to deliver considerable battery-life improvements for compatible smart home products. Naturally, this benefit is most relevant to battery-powered accessories rather than the mains-powered Google TV Streamer itself.

The update represents an important step forward for Google’s smart home ambitions. Thread 1.4 more closely reflects the original vision behind Matter and Thread as universal communication technologies for connected homes, strengthening the Google TV Streamer’s position within the Google Home platform.

Every Thread network requires at least one Thread Border Router, which acts as the bridge between Thread devices and the broader home network. The Google TV Streamer serves as one of these Border Routers, making its support for Thread 1.4 particularly significant for users invested in Google’s smart home ecosystem.