Apple Releases Firmware Update 7.7.8 and 7.6.8 for AirPort Base Stations With Back to My Mac Bug Fix

[MacRumors]

Apple today released new firmware updates for its Wi-Fi base stations, including the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. The 7.7.8 update is available for 802.11ac base stations, while the 7.6.8 update is available for 802.11n base stations.

According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes an issue that caused AirPort base stations from appearing in the AirPort Utility when Back to My Mac is enabled. The firmware updates can be installed using the AirPort Utility app for iOS or OS X.

Apple has reportedly stopped development on its AirPort wireless routers, with no new AirPort products planned for release, but the company will continue to offer bug fixes and updates in the near future.

Article Link: Apple Releases Firmware Update 7.7.8 and 7.6.8 for AirPort Base Stations With Back to My Mac Bug Fix

 

[pat500000]

and I thought Airport was being discontinued. But of course, it's a software.

Btw: I'll take this as positive article.

 

[jerry16]

What other company still issues firmware updates after ceasing development of a product? You have to at least give them credit for that much.

Hope to see a router bundled into another product in the future.

 

[casperes1996]

I wish we'd get new AirPorts... Glad they're still receiving some attention though.

 

[zorinlynx]

Is the Airport really being discontinued? Apple is definitely still selling them, and they haven't made an official announcement, just some third party news that some people were laid off.

It could just be restructuring, hopefully? Maybe I'm overly hopeful, but it just seems odd that Apple is still selling, with plenty of stock available, these products if they don't want to anymore.

 

[stiligFox]

I still wonder if they aren't planning to combine AirPort and AppleTV into one product.

Would certainly help further the HomeKit initiative.

 

[Supacon]

This was an aggravating bug. I'm glad it is finally fixed.

 

[sos47]

fritz boxes are ugly. airports are sexy. ubiquiti made my day.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

This was an aggravating bug. I'm glad it is finally fixed.

Indeed it is.. Now, how do I update my airport when its clearly showing as greyed out on my airport app?

 

[yiasou]

Apple has now stopped development on its AirPort wireless routers, with no new AirPort products planned for release, but the company will continue to offer bug fixes and updates in the near future.

When did Apple officially announce this? This is not a true statement.

 

[BadMelonFarmer]

fritz boxes are ugly. airports are sexy. ubiquiti made my day.

Did you have trouble with Ubiquiti and Apple products? I sent them back as they were dropping all my apple clients constantly

 

[Zcott]

Indeed it is.. Now, how do I update my airport when its clearly showing as greyed out on my airport app?

Open Airport Utility, file>configure other, then the IP of your base station and the password. Disable back to my Mac, restart.

 

[Starflyer]

Indeed it is.. Now, how do I update my airport when its clearly showing as greyed out on my airport app?

I had to physically power cycle them.

 

[mpe]

Finally. My time capsule was very unhealthy once I upgraded to 10.12.2. After this it seems to be working again...

 

[mdelvecchio]

Apple has now stopped development on its AirPort wireless routers, with no new AirPort products planned for release, but the company will continue to offer bug fixes and updates in the near future.

thats strange, i didn't see that press release from Apple confirming this rumor. yet it's stated as fact. how odd.

 

[Zcott]

Not showing up here yet, despite restarting the airport.

 

[orbital~debris]

Apple has now stopped development on its AirPort wireless routers, with no new AirPort products planned for release, but the company will continue to offer bug fixes and updates in the near future.

As others have said, just because rumours claim something does not = truth.

It's pretty 2016 of MacRumors to make a statement of certainty without any official proof.

Until an Apple spokesperson confirms it, AirPort is not discontinued.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I really hope the rumor about them discontinuing these was wrong (or they change their mind).

I just love how simple it is to open up Airport Utility and do stuff (like this update).

No mess. No fuss. Clean interface.
It's just wonderful.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I still wonder if they aren't planning to combine AirPort and AppleTV into one product.

Would certainly help further the HomeKit initiative.

That's what I'm thinking they're planning on doing. Especially since a bunch of engineers got moved to the Apple TV team.

 

[RyDawdg]

I still wonder if they aren't planning to combine AirPort and AppleTV into one product.

Would certainly help further the HomeKit initiative.

That wouldn't make sense for areas in the home where the television is no where near the internet gateway.

 

[littyboy]

How does one do a firmware update?

 

[Zcott]

How does one do a firmware update?

It'll show up through airport utility.

 

[HansHeino]

If you don't see it in the Airport Utility on your Mac, just press CMD-R to refresh. Then they'll show up immediately.

 

[zone23]

I don't get it updated and my Time Capsule still says cannot connect to iCloud and has a orange dot for the status. Probably hasn't worked for a year now.

 

[avanpelt]

I snagged a three pack of Eeros on sale on Amazon after hearing the news that Apple reassigned the AirPort engineers. Only had the Eeros running for a few days; but so far, I'm seeing vastly improved throughout compared to my previous two AirPort Extreme (the tower model) setup.

The AirPorts rarely managed to give me more than 40 Mbps up and down unless I was near the primary AirPort. With the Eeros, I'm getting between 100-200 Mbps up and down throughout my house. This is connected to gigabit fiber. Obviously nowhere near as fast over Wi-Fi as it would be if everything was connected with Cat 6, but that's to be expected. Unless Eero really screws something up, I have to say that I'm liking what I've seen so far.