Yes, the 60GHz band is line-of-sight. But with Apple's track record for technologies with drool-worthy specs, it seems odd that they would ignore one that many others will have adopted before the next refresh cycle rolls around.
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AirPort Express Stock Shortages Hint at Potential 802.11ac Update
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Yes, the 60GHz band is line-of-sight. But with Apple's track record for technologies with drool-worthy specs, it seems odd that they would ignore one that many others will have adopted before the next refresh cycle rolls around.
Even if I had an AC-compatible laptop, I doubt I'll need all that bandwidth. I don't play multiplayer games, I don't stream that much video. However, I know a lot of people do so let's hope Apple gets on it soon!
Makes perfect sense as Apple has already jumped onto the 802.11ac train with the MacBook Air Mid-2013 models, so it's safe to bet that the upcoming Mac mini, iMac and MacBook Pro / MacBook Pro Retina refresh will all carry a 802.11ac upgrade as well.
Wouldn't be surprised to see it as a feature for the new iPhone 5S and the upcoming iPad (5th Gen.) either, I'm not entirely sure if we'll see it in the iPhone 5C or the iPad mini (2nd Gen.) though but it would still make perfect sense to have a new Apple AirPort Express supporting 802.11ac to accommodate the new Apple AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule as well as their other new 802.11ac capable hardware.
As many people use their Apple AirPort Express as a wireless extender for their AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule it would make the throughput between the latest generation to a new AirPort Express killer.
Wouldn't be surprised to see it as a feature for the new iPhone 5S and the upcoming iPad (5th Gen.) either, I'm not entirely sure if we'll see it in the iPhone 5C or the iPad mini (2nd Gen.) though but it would still make perfect sense to have a new Apple AirPort Express supporting 802.11ac to accommodate the new Apple AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule as well as their other new 802.11ac capable hardware.
As many people use their Apple AirPort Express as a wireless extender for their AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule it would make the throughput between the latest generation to a new AirPort Express killer.
Naturally.
I couldn't wait any longer — I bought the current one 25 days ago.
Glad I'm still holding back on the Apple TV ...
I couldn't wait any longer — I bought the current one 25 days ago.
Glad I'm still holding back on the Apple TV ...
I don't know about 11ac, but previous models could do AirPlay or work as router, but not both.
No way.
That's what the Apple TV is for.
I'm quite positive about having used my previous Express' AirPlay while it also acted as a router.So would a new airport express AC be better than the non AC AirPort Extreme? I think the 5th generation extreme
could always use one of these...
http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=47158
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they already have... its called the "AppleTV"
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no, unfortunately. still printers only. hopefully that will change, but i doubt it. if they did it would cannibalize the time capsule sales.
Yep. As a frequent traveler with the last gen, the new one wouldn't be as practical. Most hotels have a power socket on or just above the desk. Then I just plug in the wired internet and voila, hotspot for my rMBP, iPad and phone. The last thing I need is another cord to carry and the speed of N is way higher than a typical hotel connection so I guess I'll be using the current one indefinitely.
The 110V right-angle adapter someone posted a link to is cool, but um, most of the world uses 220V and a slew of different plug shapes. With my current AEX, I can use the UK/Australian/etc adapters as well as the US one it came. (In fact, the bulkier UK adapter is MUCH better than the US one for use as strain relief when plugged in!)
Nice thing about the old design, you could always add a cord to it if you wanted it away from a power outlet. But the new one loses this flexibility. Always a step backwards in design when you lose functionality like that with no good reason. Well, I guess the reason was to reduce manufacturing costs by giving it the same form factor as the Apple TV - good for Apple, I guess.
Having said that, I just purchased the current one for a friend's apartment and for that purpose, it works wonderfully!
But for those using it as a traveling hotspot I think the old design was better (with regards to power supply, obviously the newer specs are always faster!)That's Apple now I guess, a company for the masses not the niches.
You might, depending on the exact measurements involved, be able to use those same adapters with the new style, or
TV. I haven't tried it myself yet, because I wanted the cord for my TV, but it's the same style connector.
They are complimentary not competing technologies. 802.11ad is in an unlicensed band (65 GHz I yhink). Think of it as replacing physical cables within a room.
Combined they offer a complete connection package.
Cheers,
Nope, seems not. I just checked stock levels (which was what Apple Insider based their guess on) and all stock levels I saw from random zip codes I tried all showed "Available today."
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC414/airport-express
So I wonder when the next update will come...
I speculate, and speculate I shall, that if the new iPad 5 & iPad Mini 2 this year support 802.11ac, then they'll consider updating the Airport Express. However, from what I have read 802.11ac requires to a great extent an antenna array much like the one found in the new Airport Extreme and Time Capsule. I wonder if they can implement it to a reasonable extent while maintaining the same form factor. God, I love me these puck-size devices.