Apple Adds Thread Networking Technology to iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max include support for the Thread mesh networking protocol. Thread networking technology is listed as a new feature for the Pro models, but it is not included in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
Apple says that the iPhone 15 Pro is the first smartphone with a Thread radio, which can be used to directly control Thread-enabled smart home products. Thread has previously been added to the HomePod mini and Apple TV, but no other Apple devices have Thread connectivity.
In the press release for the iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple explains that Thread opens up "future opportunities for Home app integrations."
Thread is a mesh smart home network system that improves the connectivity and responsiveness of connected products.
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Top Rated Comments
I believe the 128 GB 4K AppleTV and the new full size HomePod both include Thread connectivity.
When you're in a mesh network, you don't have to go up to the cloud to control individual devices. Apple TV and HomePod play this role by being the Matter controller in the mesh network but if you don't have neither, you'll have to use another Matter controller like a hub. With iPhone having its own Thread radio, it can jump into the mesh and control your home without internet or even WiFi networking. It'll also skip having to go through your Apple TV or HomePod, even if you have them.
2. Threads is a radio protocol like WiFi and Bluetooth.
Instead of lightbulbs and locks and switches connecting to a Wifi router and then computers and phones having to communicate with them through the router, which often causes problems with bad configurations or network traffic, Matter devices use Threads to communicate directly from the phone to the lightbulb/lock/switch without going through a router or the internet.
Threads devices can create a mesh network of their own. A lightbulb connects to a lock which connects to a switch and they’re all aware of one another.
If the connection is poor between two devices, they can take a different route, say a light switch hopping to a thermostat which is close to an Apple TV which then connects to the light bulb on the other side of the house.
They can all communicate in the Matter standard using Threads radios in each but there are other ways devices can communicate in Matter, through Bluetooth, Wifi or another protocol called Zigbee. Threads is the Matter standard’s preferred radio because it’s more power efficient, self configures and self heals if one device in between goes offline.