After nearly a decade of development, Nanoleaf’s smart switch is finally here. You can pre-order the $30 Sense Plus Smart Wireless “Anywhere” Switch today, and it should ship in October. But to get to this point, Nanoleaf had to pivot from its adoption of Thread and create a new, proprietary protocol called Litewave.
Technology
Nanoleaf finally launches a smart switch after eight years of trying
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25608710/20240906_160644.jpg?ssl=1 "Nanoleaf finally launches a smart switch after eight years of trying")
The battery-powered device brings physical control to Nanoleaf’s smart lighting system, allowing you to press a button to turn lights on or off, dim or brighten, or change colors. Plus, built-in motion and light sensors let the Sense adjust your lighting based on room conditions.
“We needed to make sure that our products would work reliably with less dependence on the platforms,” Gimmy Chu
The Sense, a version of which was first announced in 2020 and then again in 2023, has been long anticipated by fans of the company’s RGB lighting line. The wireless smart switch allows you to control all the lights in one room or multiple rooms without using voice or pulling out your phone. It’s a similar concept to Philips Hue’s wireless dimmer switch or Lutron Caseta’s Pico remote, and can also be mounted on a wall plate like a traditional light switch or used as a portable remote.
However, in addition to standard lighting controls, the Sense features two configurable buttons that can be programmed in Nanoleaf’s app or set up to work with Apple Home and Samsung SmartThings through Matter.
This lets you create automations with other devices to have, say, a “Movie Time” scene that closes the shades, dims the lights, and adjusts the thermostat with the press of a button. But, because not all Matter platforms support smart buttons yet, the Sense’s Matter integration is currently in an early access program.
The Sense uses two protocols simultaneously to connect with Nanoleaf’s lights. Matter over Thread and Litewave, a technology the company developed specifically for this product. A proprietary local protocol that works over the same 802.15.4 radio as Bluetooth/Thread, Litewave allows the switch to communicate with all Nanoleaf lights, whether they use Thread, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
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According to Nanoleaf co-founder and CEO Gimmy Chu, finding the right technology to produce a reliable wireless switch experience has taken eight years. “We needed a low-power networking solution, like Thread, and we also needed a common communication protocol — like Matter,” he says. However, while the company is a big proponent and early adopter of Thread, it has struggled with its Matter over Thread implementation. This led it to develop the proprietary protocol to ensure its new smart switch would work reliably with all its smart lights.
In an interview with The Verge, Chu attributes some of these struggles to the complexity of Matter and its multiple platforms. “We don’t have control over the Matter controller, which is responsible for making sure that things like pairing work correctly and that Thread network is being maintained correctly,” he says. “We needed to make sure that our products would work reliably with less dependence on the platforms.”
Chu says Litewave provides a robust and reliable local connection that enables instantaneous control — as fast as flipping a light switch. “With it, we can simultaneously be part of the Matter over Thread mesh network and also support our communication,” he says. Litewave also doesn’t require a Thread border router or Matter controller to work, making setup simpler for users. You only need those additional devices if you choose to enable Matter.
Over Litewave, the Sense controls multiple Nanoleaf lights immediately with no “popcorn” effect (where lights pop on one after another). Chu showed me this in action during our video interview: a dozen downlights turned on and off instantly as he pressed the button. “We’ve tested it with over 100 devices across 10,000 square feet, and everything is instantaneous with about 100 percent reliability,” he says.
In another shift away from relying solely on Thread, Nanoleaf is releasing its first Matter over Wi-Fi light bulb — all its current bulbs use Thread. The full-color and tunable white Essentials Matter Wi-Fi A19 Smart Bulb is developed for Walmart and costs $29.99 for a two-pack (you can also buy it at Nanoleaf’s webstore for $49.99 for four).
Chu says they decided to go with Wi-Fi because they feel like Thread is still too niche for the Walmart customer. “The mass market does not know what Thread is,” he says. “When launching into a place like Walmart, we wanted to make sure we were catering to as broad an audience as possible.”
“The mass market does not know what Thread is,” Gimmy Chu
Nanoleaf isn’t the only company hedging its bets on Matter over Thread. After several Thread-only launches, Aqara’s latest lighting products work with Thread and Zigbee — the protocol it used to connect all its devices prior to working with Thread. The company says it did this because Zigbee currently provides more features on its platform than Matter over Thread, and it wanted to give its users the choice.
The just-released Thread 1.4 update is supposed to address many of the current issues, and as Matter develops, feature parity should arrive. But it will take a while for manufacturers to implement the new Thread spec. In the meantime, companies like Nanoleaf have little choice but to look for alternative solutions while Thread sorts itself out.
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OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.
In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”
To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.
It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.
In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.
Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”
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You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:
“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”
If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.
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FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US
This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What the traffic ticket scam text looks like
At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.
The biggest red flags in this message
Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.
9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU
1) The phone number makes no sense
The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.
2) No name, just “Dear Driver”
Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.
3) The link isn’t a real DMV website
The message includes this link:
ca.mnvtl.life/dmv
That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.
4) Urgency and threats
The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.
FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE
5) Asking you to reply to proceed
The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.
6) Generic language and odd phrasing
Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you
The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.
INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU
Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What this means for you
Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data. State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.
Why these scams keep working
These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.
Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams
Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:
1) Do not click the link
If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.
2) Use strong antivirus software
If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
3) Verify directly with the DMV
Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.
4) Check the sender carefully
Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.
5) Ignore generic greetings
Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.
6) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
7) Block and report the number
On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.
8) Turn on spam filtering
Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.
Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
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