Apple's "awe dropping" Tuesday event has wrapped up, and we're all still taking in the new paper-thin iPhone Air line (not everyone's in awe of it) as well as the iPhone 17 Pro. But something caught my ear in the middle of the iPhone Air announcement. Along with other connectivity support, Apple made sure to add that the iPhone Air would support Thread. In a presentation where every second and word was intentional, it means a lot that the company included it.
"So, what's Thread?" is probably your response. It's a communication standard that's all about the smart home, and it's a sign that Apple's still invested in growing the Apple Home app. Even more importantly, it's a nod to Apple's continued work with Siri AI upgrades and reported plans to release Apple-brand smart home products in 2026, including its own security camera, smart display and maybe even a tabletop Siri robot.
The last time Apple talked about Thread in-depth earlier this year, Vividh Siddha, a director at Apple and president of smart-device organization the Thread Group discussed how better Thread support allows for direct control over smart home tech, often without requiring Wi-Fi at all. Here's why that matters.
Watch this: iPhone Air is Here: Apple's Thinnest Phone With a New Chip 04:55
Why Thread on iPhone matters
Seeing Thread support in the newest iPhones means your HomeKit plans are still on. Apple
The Thread and Matter standards often go hand in hand, with Thread acting as a special, high-security connection for lower-power smart home devices and Matter being the "language" that passes through Thread. The problem is that most control devices (like phones, tablets or computers) can't yet connect to Thread directly and instead have to jump through Wi-Fi hoops.
Apple's recent iPhone changes -- changes Google is also making to its devices -- enable Thread radio frequency support. That allows iPhones, and presumably iPads and so on, to connect to smart home devices with a built-in Thread border router directly. If you have a newer iPhone. It can already do it.
Thread compatibility is the first step in extra easy smart home setup and control. Apple
What Thread Radio means for Apple's home plans
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