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I think all the bloggers have overlooked the biggest reason Apple is getting out of the router biz: most every ISP in the country now, or will soon include router and wi-fi capabilities built-in as part of their modem hardware.

Hard to compete with "free"...
What? I rejected the units that Comcast charges you $7-9 per month for. I have my own modem, and my own routers.
 
I've been a data recovery specialist for a few years now. I'm more of a PC guy generally but I often tell customers that Time Machine is the greatest backup solution on the market. While I personally would use a western digital drive in an enclosure for time machine, the fact that they didn't make this product work or that they think it's not worth continuing is yet more evidence that apple has simply lost it.
 
Last time I gave Apple the benefit of the doubt they redesigned the Mac Pro into the current debacle. ie. A glossy cylinder that is in too many ways inferior to its predecessor.

As December approaches, it reminds me how much of a failure Apple's product development cycle has been. Totally inexcusable to have left products untouched for 3+ years now. Maybe they think that the Mac Pro was 3 years ahead of its time? Seriously, what are they doing over there to not be able to release some updates, even small, each year? Or would people complain too much about that, because they want some radical improvement each year? Stagnation vs. minor improvements ... hmmmm.
 
When will Apple fans stop "thinking inside the box" of existing products and start giving Apple the benefit of the doubt? Because even when they make great products, people find no end to their complaints.

At the moment, Apple is incapable of thinking out of the box. Such as "touch screen Mac - can't be done". Apple are running low on ideas and innovation.

Apple - "New laptop? Make it thinner and lighter, Jonny".
 
But really profitable.
It is better to sell a subscription than a product that can last for 10 years. And once you put your data on iCloud is even more convenient to have an Apple device, so you stick with their ecosystem.
Sad move for customer, great move for the company
No it's a sad move for the company because they are slowly starting to destroy their loyal customer base. I think they need their heads examined :)
 
Man...It's sad really. This was the only Consumer grade router I could honestly recommend to people. I have had 2 Airports in the last 10 years and I don't think I have ever needed to power cycle them to fix the internet. Thats the only router I can say that with.

There is some great routers out there but you really need to get into small business and entry level enterprise stuff to get the same reliability.
 
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I hope this is not true. I mean considering the latest Airport Extreme already has 802.11ac, I guess Apple only needs to design a new one when a faster standard is ready.
On the other hand, the Airport Express is still on 802.11n. Worse, I still use the previous gen Airport Express, since I prefer its plug-in design compared to the newer version.

I have a feeling that Apple is going to integrate Airport Express capabilities with an Apple TV.
 
Write a letter to Time Cook. I did. Probably won't do anything. It might.

I bought a TimeCapsule 8 months ago and I loved the transparent backups and the router range was great. 2500 ft^2 house and a large yard. I could use my WiFi from 2-3 house away with no issue. My current Airport Extreme also has stunning range. I need to attach a USB HD and get the backups going again.
 
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My main complaint is that it will slow down traffic or become sporadic or unresponsive requiring a manual restart. Apparently improving reliability wasn't high on the list. When it works (which is most of the time) it's great.
 
What? I rejected the units that Comcast charges you $7-9 per month for. I have my own modem, and my own routers.

Yeah, I would bet most people don't own their own modem.

It's just economics. Your average Apple customer will just use the free wi-fi that comes with their ISP modem.
 
It might be possible that the Apple TV and Apple router could be combined into a more robust media center. The evolution of both products kind of align with a living room media center.
 
I have a feeling that Apple is going to integrate Airport Express capabilities with an Apple TV.

Yes, this is what I want — a true Apple-designed "Hub" device with full AirPort router and Siri capabilities, and be able to have extras added to the local network around the house or business. With a USB port, any external hard drive could be attached to restore the Time Capsule capabilities.
 
Yes, this is what I want — a true Apple-designed "Hub" device with full AirPort router and Siri capabilities, and be able to have extras added to the local network around the house or business. With a USB port, any external hard drive could be attached to restore the Time Capsule capabilities.
Now that would be a good product, at least if Apple can design it right.
 
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