Protocol compatibility is the hidden reason your smart bulb won't connect, your door lock won't respond, or your voice assistant keeps saying it can't find your devices. This episode breaks down exactly how Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri talk to Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Matter, and Wi-Fi devices—and why some combinations work great while others need expensive hubs or won't work at all. If you've ever felt confused about what "Works with Alexa" actually means, or you're trying to figure out if you need extra hardware before buying your next smart device, this one's for you.

• Voice assistants don't speak every wireless language—Alexa has Zigbee built into some Echo models, Google needs separate hubs for almost everything except Wi-Fi and Thread, and Apple's HomeKit works great with Thread but barely supports Z-Wave at all. If your as ...