What excites me most from Apple’s event isn’t something flashy, it’s actually the N1 and U2 chips. It wasn’t a headline announcement, so many people might not even notice it, but I see it as a big step forward for the future of smart homes.
The U2 is Apple’s second generation of Ultra Wideband. It improves range, precision, and efficiency, which means devices can locate each other more accurately and with less energy. That may sound small, but in a smart home it’s huge.
Then there’s the N1 chip, Apple’s first in-house wireless chip that combines WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. For me, this is the foundation of a smarter ecosystem: faster connections, lower latency, and seamless integration with Matter and Thread-based devices. Imagine Aqara sensors and locks talking directly through this improved networking stack: faster, more stable, and more reliable than ever.
Imagine what this could mean for Aqara:
• Smart locks that know exactly when you’re approaching with your iPhone or Apple Watch, and unlock instantly.
• Devices that talk to each other faster and more reliably, so the smart home reacts before you even think about it.
Right now, my favorite setup is the Aqara Smart Lock with my Apple Watch Ultra 3 using Apple Keys. It feels like magic to open my door hands-free. With U2 chips expanding through Apple’s ecosystem, I believe Aqara devices can push that magic even further.
Sometimes the most exciting innovations aren’t the ones on stage, they’re the ones quietly laying the foundation for what’s next.
