Apple’s N1 wireless chip brings the Thread smart home protocol to the iPad Pro for the first time.

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Apple's new M5-powered iPad Pro includes the N1 wireless networking chip, bringing official Thread protocol support to iPads for the first time. While the immediate use case appears to be simplified setup of Thread smart home devices without requiring a separate border router, this addition hints at the possibility of iPads returning as Apple Home hubs. The N1 chip combines Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, and will likely appear in future Apple smart home products like the Apple TV and HomePod Mini 2.

The iPad just got the chip it needs to be a smart home controller