What is firmware?

What is firmware?

Firmware is the permanent software that lives inside each piece of hardware.

Think of firmware like the operating system on your smartphone. Just as Apple and Google regularly update iOS and Android to add features, fix bugs, and maintain security, we update our firmware to ensure your lighting system stays current, secure, and compatible with new capabilities.

Our firmware is the ‘brain’ of your hardware. It tells the device how to function, how to respond when you press a button, how to communicate with your phone app, how to dim a light, or how to detect motion. When we don’t update it, you’d miss out on new features, performance improvements, and important fixes

Firmware vs. Apps

Each Device Has Its Own Firmware

This is important: each piece of hardware in your system has its own firmware. Your occupancy sensor has one firmware version, your gateway has another, and your dimmer switch has yet another. That’s why when you see an update available, it might only be for specific devices, or why updates might take time. We’re updating multiple ‘brains’ in your system.

Why It’s Called ‘Firmware’

It’s called ‘firm’ ware because it sits between:

• Hardware (physical/permanent – the circuits and chips)
• Software (flexible/temporary – your mobile app)

It’s more permanent than software but more updateable than hardware.

Why does firmware sometimes need to be updated?

• New Features: Updates enable capabilities that didn’t exist when you first purchased
• Bug Fixes: We constantly improve reliability based on real-world feedback
• Compatibility: As apps and platforms evolve, firmware must keep pace
• Security: Like any connected device, security patches are essential
• Cost-Free Improvements: Unlike buying new hardware, updates enhance what you already own