Apple snuck a smart home feature into new Macs and iPads, and it's only just been found

Macbook Air Review 2022
Macbook Air Review 2022 (Image credit: iMore / Gerald Lynch)

When the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max launched last year, FCC filings indicated the new phones had a Thread radio inside.

It was a curious reveal (and one that remains seemingly innate, at least for now), but in many ways, no one thought more of it, especially since Apple said it was for "opening up future opportunities for Home app integrations” that never really came to pass.

Thread is the primary wireless protocol for Matter, the unified smart home standard that Apple, and other tech giants like Google, have been working toward to improve compatibility across smart home accessories.

Now, though, it appears Thread has found its way into more Apple devices.

iPad Pro with M4 chipset

(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future)

Thread radio found in multiple Apple devices

As spotted by The Verge, the FCC has seemingly confirmed that Thread radios have been tested inside the latest iPad Pro, the M2 iPad Air, the M3 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, and the M3 iMac.

But why? Well, it's hard to say right now (Apple hasn't responded to The Verge's request for comment), but with WWDC 24 less than a week away, we may find out then.

We've long expected an iPad that can act as a home hub, but Apple may look to go above and beyond by putting more smart home functionality on the Mac, too. While both platforms currently have access to the Home app, having a Thread radio onboard would assist with interfacing more directly with your home's gadgets.

iPad Pro M4 13-inch | $1299 at Apple

iPad Pro M4 13-inch | $1299 at Apple

The latest and greatest iPad, the iPad Pro M4 has a Thread radio inside - so you can find out exactly what it can do as soon as Apple tells us.

More from iMore

Lloyd Coombes
Contributor

Lloyd Coombes is a freelance writer with a specialism in Apple tech. From his first, hand-me-down iMac, he’s been working with Apple products for over a decade, and while he loves his iPhone and Mac, the iPad will always have his heart for reasons he still can’t quite fathom. Since moving from blogging to writing professionally, Lloyd’s work can be found at TechRadar, Macworld, TechAdvisor and plenty more. He’s also the Editor in Chief at GGRecon.com, and on the rare occasion he’s not writing you’ll find him spending time with his son, or working hard at the gym (while wearing an Apple Watch, naturally). You can find him on Twitter @lloydcoombes.

Latest in Macs
macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia (version 15) is now available for your Mac with some big upgrades
The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless mechanical gaming keyboard against a yellow background.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless: Pro-level Mac gaming
Copilot key on Windows
Apple's new "best AI PC" Mac ads take aim at Microsoft's Copilot+ machines
Apple Logo
The iPhone 16 reveal is tomorrow, but details about Apple's next event have already leaked - including M4 Macs and new iPad models
MacBook Air deals
The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air is still insanely cheap on Amazon
M3 MacBook Pro review
M4 MacBook Pro could debut in November alongside a completely redesigned Mac mini
Latest in News
iMore Logo
One more thing… Goodbye from iMore
Jony Ive
Jony Ive’s OpenAI hardware device could be his next world-changing design
NEBULA Cosmos 4K SE with Apple TV
This new 4K projector is tempting me to replace my LG C2 TV, just so I can watch Slow Horses on a 200-inch display
VisionOS 2 app reorganization
visionOS 2 is the first major software update for Apple Vision Pro, and now it's available
macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia (version 15) is now available for your Mac with some big upgrades
watchOS 11
watchOS 11 is now rolling out to all Apple Watch users with the Series 6 or newer