New Apple tablets and laptops like the iPad Pro2024 and MacBook Pro M3 have hidden features to help you control your smart home. Once Apple makes it official, anyway.

A report by The Verge confirms the presence of threaded radios on all Macs and iPads launched after mid-2023. Support for the latest Pro iPad and MacBook models as well as ipad Air2024, MacBook Air M3, iMac M3

threads is not mentioned in Apple's specifications for these devices. However, the FCC's device certification report recognizes and tests the radios, so the Verge was able to confirm that the radios were there. The iphone15Pro and iPhone15Pro Max also have Thread radio, which is Apple's first device. However, this compatibility has not yet been used properly.

So how does this all relate to smart Home Tech? Thread is a wireless protocol used by Matter, an up-and-coming smart home architecture developed and adopted by Apple and other device manufacturers like Google and Amazon together. We know that the system has become much easier to use together smart home gear from different manufacturers, for example Alexa or AA designed to work with Apple Home.

Apple has played a key role in the development of Matter and can now be controlled using HomeKit devices, but that's not the case. No significant progress has been made since. But with the advent of WWDC, it will probably suddenly reveal what Apple is planning in this area.

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, or WWDC, begins on Monday 6/10. Apple should announce iOS18, iPadOS18, and macOS15 among other software updates at the event's keynote.This is a great opportunity to officially introduce Matter support to more devices. But with rumors that Apple isn't introducing any new hardware at this WWDC, you may have to wait until May 16 to see the expected iPhone 9 debut with a new thread-powered accessory.