Thread is a low-power, high-reliability, and security-focused protocol that’s been percolating for more than six years, but it’s only supported by a handful of products, which means its potential has yet to be fully realized. The same could be said for Nanoleaf’s Essentials A19 bulb, which boasts some interesting features—including the ability to sync with music, Mac and PC monitors, and Nanoleaf’s own Shapes light panels—that aren’t yet ready for prime time yet. Another wrinkle is the fact that the bulb’s most advanced features rely on a Thread border router—a device that acts as a bridge between a Thread network and another networks, such as Wi-Fi—and for now, there’s only one consumer model: the $99 Apple HomePod Mini.