Tech News Weekly (Audio) TNW 409: Apple's New M5 MacBook and iPad Pro - How Apple's New Hub Chip Could Reshape Home Automation
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Oct 16, 2025 
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a senior writer at The Verge specializing in smart home tech, discusses the iPad Pro's exciting new Thread support, which could elevate it to a smart home controller. Dan Moren, a technology journalist focused on Apple, highlights incremental updates from the M5 processor affecting the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro. The conversation also touches on California's new social media law requiring health warnings for teens, sparking a debate about its impact on youth and parental education.
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iPad Pro Becomes Smart Home Powerhouse
- The iPad Pro M5 now includes an N1 wireless chip that combines Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread for Matter connectivity.
- This makes the iPad a potential smart home powerhouse and could foreshadow similar chips in upcoming Apple Home devices.
Set Up Thread Devices With An iPad
- Use an iPad Pro with a Thread radio to set up Thread devices without needing a dedicated border router.
- This removes setup friction for new Thread locks and other Matter devices.
Why Thread Is Better For The Smart Home
- Thread is a low‑power, self‑healing mesh network where powered nodes extend range and reliability.
- A Thread border router bridges Thread to the internet for away‑from‑home control, which devices like HomePod mini provide.