Concerning this product: Fairy Lights - Addressable RGB https://www.sparkfun.com/products/16792
The page says the part is addressable
The ‘features’ tab says “Control IC: SPI” the ‘documents’ tab has a datasheet the same.
The hookup guide link jumps into the middle of a tutorial on “ws2812” and their wiring.
I know that the “ws2812” protocol is not SPI.
Can someone explain how this product is controlled.
Thanks in advance.
That looks like a typo in the data sheet that our web folks copied over too the product page. I’ll get that fixed on the product page but there isn’t much I can do for the manufacturers data sheet. 
Thanks but I’m not sure that answer the underlying question. Do these use the same protocol as ws2812, e.g. neopixels?
Yes, they use the WS2812 protocol, same as Neopixel. 
That you for your quick responses. Based on your FAQ I was actually expecting a much slower turn-around.
There is something I meant to mention previously and it slipped my mind. If you go to the product page https://www.sparkfun.com/products/16792
The page shows an image and 5 thumbnails. The 3rd thumbnail (red patch) has poor solder joints, with solder balls near one of the wires.
For me, this gives more info on the layout of the strand; but OTOH it reflects poorly on SF.
Sorry about that!
This isn’t a product SparkFun makes, we just resell it so sadly there isn’t anything we can do about the solder balls.
Looks like the manufacturer (iPixel) probably is using a wee too much solder paste on their boards during manufacture and that can cause solder balls to form.
FYI…
The Fairy Lights - Addressable RGB (5m) PRT-16792 in the 09-Mar-2021 batch are wired opposite of what is specified on the packaging or in the Sparkfun WS2812 Breakout Hookup Guide.
Socket (male housing) is input… Blue = 5V, Middle = DAT, End = GND.
thank you
