It was overlooked in the presentation of the new iPhone 15, but it is a detail that we should not miss: The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have Thread connectivity. Why has Apple added that functionality?
It usually happens in the presentations of new devices, in which Apple focuses on the news that interests it most and then we discover others that we do not understand why it did not mention or give more details. Thread connectivity is one of them, a novelty reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and that leaves us with many unknowns about Apple's purpose with this addition. Why add this type of connectivity that until now was reserved for accessories related to HomeKit?
Thread, essential for the new home automation
We have already talked to you on many occasions about Thread, a type of wireless connection that is the basis of Matter, the new home automation standard that is slowly making its way and is without a doubt the most immediate future of home automation. There are already many Apple devices that use Thread, such as the HomePod mini, the 2nd generation HomePod or the Apple TV 4K. There are also many other home automation accessories that include it, with brands such as Airversa, Nanoleaf or Eve as the main promoters of this technology. We can summarize its advantages over other connections such as Bluetooth or WiFi in that it is a connection with lower energy consumption, lower latency and greater range thanks to its "mesh" operation, in which the devices themselves act as repeaters to expand the signal.
Within the devices with Thread there are different categories, and the iPhone could act as a HomePod, that is, act as a "Border Router." This type of Thread device is the one responsible for connecting all the accessories in the house to the internet, that is, if we have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max we could do without a HomePod or Apple TV to act as an accessory center. This, which might seem like a good idea a priori, is actually quite the opposite, unless you never leave the house with your iPhone. The center of your accessories should never be a device that moves, who enters and leaves the house, because when you leave your entire facility will be unusable. That is why this functionality was currently reserved for the HomePod and Apple TV.
Perhaps the intention is not to act as a router, but rather Communicate faster with Thread accessories by being able to contact them directly without having to do it via WiFi or Bluetooth. This explanation might be more logical, although only in part. Firstly, because to do this you would have to have all your devices with this connection, something that at the moment is complicated as it is a recent technology that many manufacturers have not even incorporated into their products. But also because the way HomeKit works right now, the response of Thread accessories is already very fast, making it faster would be barely noticeable by users, unless you live in a palace.
Connectivity with other devices
But we cannot forget that Thread is a wireless connection, which is always talked about for home automation but which allows devices to be connected to each other, regardless of their nature. It also consumes less than Bluetooth and WiFi, has lower latency and allows you to create a mesh network to expand coverage. Is anyone thinking the same as me? Why not use it for the Apple Watch or AirPods? The immediate benefit would be greater autonomy for them. The answer in the case of AirPods is simple: Thread does not have enough bandwidth to transmit music because it remains at 125Kbps, so it is ruled out. With the Apple Watch things could work... but we would need the new Apple Watch to also incorporate Thread, something that has not been said and I highly doubt Apple would forget to mention it.
Thread would allow maintain the connection between Apple Watch and iPhone permanently with lower energy consumption, and although the bandwidth it allows is small, it could always be switched to Bluetooth or WiFi when necessary. It seems like a fantastic idea, but we repeat the same thing as before: Why hasn't Apple included it in its presentation? Maybe it's something for the next Apple Watch model, it could be, but it's still strange.
Or maybe it's just Apple
Perhaps this is the most likely explanation: Apple being Apple. I myself tend to think that Apple never does something without a clear intention, we simply have to allow time to realize what it is. But throughout its history there are many things for which we have never found an explanation.. Does it make sense to include a temperature and humidity sensor in the HomePod mini and not say so until two years later? Well, none, but Apple is Apple.