Grant Erickson explains why Apple's adoption of the smart home protocol makes sense. #Vergecast

IoT Connectivity Challenges - Bluetooth's limitations in range and lack of network capabilities hinder seamless in-home IoT experiences, especially for devices like door locks [1][2] - The absence of repeaters or routers in Bluetooth networks creates connectivity dead zones, impacting user experience [2] Thread as a Solution - Thread technology offers a meshed network solution, enabling devices like HomePod to act as intermediaries, extending connectivity range [3] - Thread facilitates communication between devices that are otherwise too far apart, improving the reliability of HomeKit [3][4] - Integrating Thread into HomeKit allows for expansion and addresses customer experience issues related to device connectivity [4] HomeKit and Thread Integration - HomeKit's existing IP-based cloud component made the adaptation to Thread relatively straightforward [5] - Thread enables devices like Nest Protect to participate in the network, further enhancing connectivity and coverage [4]