Apple’s groundbreaking M5-powered iPad Pro marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of both portable computing and smart home integration. Not only is this model the most advanced tablet Apple has ever introduced in terms of performance, but it also becomes the first iPad to officially embrace the Thread smart home protocol — a move that aligns it perfectly with the expanding ecosystem of Matter-enabled devices. Central to this innovation is Apple’s newly developed N1 wireless networking chip, which packages within it three crucial next-generation technologies: Wi-Fi 7 for lightning-fast and stable connections, Bluetooth 6 for enhanced device communication, and Thread for effortless interaction with a wide range of smart home products. Together, these protocols form the foundational triad that underpins the Matter standard, allowing connected devices from multiple manufacturers to communicate reliably and securely within a unified framework.
Although earlier Apple devices, including select iPads and Macs, were rumored to possess dormant Thread radios hidden deep within their hardware, the new iPad Pro distinguishes itself as the first to publicly list Thread compatibility in its technical specifications. This acknowledgment is more than symbolic — it signifies Apple’s intention to position the iPad once again as a central player in the smart home network. By officially joining the ranks of Thread-ready devices, the iPad Pro may well serve as the foundation for a reimagined role as a Home hub, reviving a concept Apple had gradually moved away from in recent years.
However, in the immediate term, users are unlikely to notice any radical new functionality activated by this inclusion. This mirrors the uncertainty that followed the introduction of Thread on Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro, when the company offered no explicit explanation for its purpose. Much like those iPhones, the new M5 iPad Pro’s Thread support will probably reveal its practical advantages over time. The most plausible near-term scenario is that the device will enable users to easily set up Thread-based smart devices—such as intelligent bulbs, locks, sensors, or plugs—without first needing to install a dedicated border router. By allowing such straightforward onboarding, Apple reduces friction for new adopters entering the smart home ecosystem, ensuring that anyone purchasing a Thread-compatible product can begin using it through the iPad Pro immediately, albeit with some features limited until a proper fixed router is available.
Technically speaking, the iPad Pro will not act as a Thread border router itself, as such devices must remain continuously powered to maintain a network backbone. Nevertheless, integrating a Thread radio into a mobile device introduces a host of valuable capabilities. It enables direct command and control of Thread accessories without relying on a central router, enhancing responsiveness while maintaining stable communication even during network interruptions. In practical terms, if a home’s primary border router—such as an Apple TV or HomePod Mini—goes offline due to a power failure, the iPad Pro could still serve as a communicative bridge to battery-powered Thread devices like smart locks or environmental monitors, preserving some degree of local control when it matters most.
Apple’s engagement with the Thread protocol actually dates back several years, beginning with its inclusion in the HomePod Mini in 2020. Since that debut, Thread has become an important pillar in Apple’s Home ecosystem thanks to its efficiency, reliability, and emphasis on secure local operation. It offers tangible performance advantages, including faster response times, lower energy consumption, and improved device-to-device connectivity that does not depend solely on cloud services or external networks. Although the existing market for Thread-compatible gadgets remains relatively modest, that landscape is expanding rapidly as more manufacturers adopt Matter and build interoperable products designed to communicate seamlessly across various brands and platforms.
Currently, Apple’s smart home hubs—such as the HomePod Mini, the full-sized HomePod, and certain models of Apple TV—already feature Thread capability, serving as the always-on infrastructure that keeps smart homes running smoothly. Yet, the return of the iPad as a fully functional Home hub remains an intriguing possibility. Historically, any iPad could fill that role by managing automations, granting remote access, and performing background coordination for connected devices. However, with Apple’s introduction of an upgraded Home Architecture in 2022, meant to accommodate the broader Matter standard, the iPad was gradually phased out as an official hub option. While it still allows users to configure scenes and control accessories through the Home app, the responsibility for automations, remote access, and advanced scheduling now falls on dedicated hardware like the HomePod Mini or Apple TV.
The idea of reinstating the iPad in that central role, especially with its newly added Thread capabilities, holds strong appeal — even more so as enthusiasts await the rumored HomePod with a built-in smart display. Should Apple re-enable full hub functionality, the iPad could become a dynamic command center, visually rich and conveniently portable. Admittedly, using a top-tier M5 iPad Pro, which commands a premium price, as a mere household automation controller would feel somewhat extravagant; a more affordable, compact model such as the iPad Mini might represent a more pragmatic option for that purpose. Nonetheless, Apple’s decision to embed the powerful N1 chip in its flagship tablet may signal that the company is laying essential groundwork for an eventual broader rollout of the same technology across product categories.
Indeed, it seems reasonable to expect that the N1 chip will soon find its way into other Apple devices rumored to be in development, including the next generation of Apple TV and a possible HomePod Mini 2. When these updated devices arrive, combining this improved networking architecture with upgraded processors will likely result in faster performance, greater responsiveness, and more stable smart home control. In essence, the M5 iPad Pro’s integration of Thread and the N1 chip may represent both a technological benchmark and a preview of Apple’s future strategy for unifying its diverse range of hardware under a seamless, resilient, and intelligently connected home ecosystem.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/799911/ipad-pro-thread-smart-home-apple-home-hub
