Apple Ceases Development of 'AirPort' Wireless Routers as Engineers Reassigned to Other Products

[robeddie]

You should see what's on the horizon, it typically turns to consumer level technology in 3-5 years. It's like clockwork.

Hmm, so since in your made up fantasy world you have convinced yourself that great apple products are coming in "3-5" years, that means they can cripple, cancel and/or overharge for the products they have on the shelf today?

5 years ago, FCPX was a harbinger of things to come. Final Cut used to be the industry leading editing software, now its user base is tiny. The whole company will soon follow that same path
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It seems they almost want to reduce their presence in the world to an iPhone.

Apple should be doing the complete opposite: developing the best monitors, printers, routers, Pro computers, etc. It has thrived by being a "lifestyle" and not just a stray object or two. .

THIS!!!

 

[producer26]

It doesn't matter if you have a team of noobs or a hell of experts team.As soon as you leave a moron to lead them,you'll get nothing more than stupidity in the end.

 

[richpjr]

The Apple router was simple, but not the most stable or powerful. The reality is they abandoned it q

I really loved the simplicity of the Apple routers and their performance with Apple products, but I always felt their advanced user features were a bit lacking and of all the routers I've owned it was the one which needed to be rebooted regularly in order to keep it working. I've lost count of the number of times over the years where there was some strange internet routing problem and I traced it back to the Apple router.

This. While simple to set up and use, there have been much better routers available for years now.

 

[al256]

Apple's leadership is focused on making killing the very ecosystem which kept us Mac zealots believing all these years. I didn't always agree with Jobs but I put my faith in him that he would move and change things for the greater good. I have no faith now and soon I'll have no Apple devices if Apple keeps this up.

 

[sofila]

I'm still digesting the iPod Classic killing due to "lack of spare parts". I'll keep this bite for the next year.
Anyway I can't wait for the next Cook's interview about "loving the Mac"

 

[MrGuder]

Secondly, this is so dumb. Having a **** load of Apple Watch, iPad and iPhone SKUs but killing off your important products just screams that Apple doesn't know what they are doing. The only logical reasoning for this is Apple is not selling enough of the Airport devices so they are not being developed anymore - if the rumour is true.

I'm glad to have my current airport express, latest gen model. The issue will come when it's firmware becomes too old and is not secure anymore - as in no more secruity updates from apple for it's firmware.

I don't know, releasing a MacBook Pro with the Pro name and then removing all the ports Pro users use screams Apple doesn't know what there doing. Strange things are happening with Apple.

 

[Ener Ji]

I am crushed by this move. I've been holding out for a new TC for about 18 months, as my existing (and aging) TC starts to give me occasional problems. When we didn't see any new models announced at their last event I knew it was a bad sign...

Yes, I backup everything to the cloud, but having a second local copy is critical if you can't afford to spend days or weeks downloading everything in the event all your data is lost. I knew since Apple announced its new file system that Time Machine and Time Capsule would have to be significantly redesigned to accommodate it. Clearly, Apple decided it wasn't worth doing for the Time Capsule. I hope they don't decide to deprecate Time Machine as well.

One of the things I loved about Apple products was the integration between them. Time Machine automatic backups to the Time Capsule? It was like magic when I first saw it. These are the kinds of things that have kept me a loyal Apple customer.

Now? I need to look to companies like Google for WiFi. While I'm at it, maybe I'll pick up a Pixel phone. Maybe next year's "Andromeda" Chrome OS replacement, running on a high-end Pixel laptop or tablet will tempt me, if it does some interesting things with Google WiFi or the Pixel phone.

Five years from now, who knows how many Apple products I will still be using on a regular basis?
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I guess I'll just have to buy the current one.
No hope for the next time capsule then.

Problem is, the current one is bad value. It's way behind the curve technologically compared to the competition. If Apple slashed the price by 60% I'd pick one up immediately, but not at the current price.

 

[page3]

The Apple router was simple, but not the most stable or powerful. The reality is they abandoned it q


This. While simple to set up and use, there have been much better routers available for years now.

See, I really don't think there are. It all depends on what you consider makes a good router.

My requirements are-
1 Stability
2 Compatibility
3 Easy of use
4 Environmental fit (it's a house, not a server room)

The AirPort Extreme did well in all these areas. I've looked and looked but not found any alternative right now. There are a few future (in the uk at least) products that might, but not right now.

 

[T5BRICK]

Now? I need to look to companies like Google for WiFi

I was already looking at their Google Wifi hardware. I've currently got a 5th generation Airport Extreme and I'd like to expand my network. I could pick up an Airport Express but then I'll be stuck with 802.11n. I'm thinking that this may be the time to jump ship and gain 802.11ac, as well as a better, more robust network. I like the idea of the modular repeaters with gigabit ethernet ports. I could tuck one away in a closet and attach some wired hardware.

Next I'll need to pickup a NAS since I'll be losing the USB port on my APX I currently use for time machine backups via wifi.

 

[WillGonz]

I think Apple is doing away with its peripherals. The next to go are keyboards and mice. It's not the same as when Steve was there. He would have introduced a new MagSafe connector that uses induction or something cool like that.

 

[richpjr]

See, I really don't think there are. It all depends on what you consider makes a good router.

My requirements are-
1 Stability
2 Compatibility
3 Easy of use
4 Environmental fit (it's a house, not a server room)

The AirPort Extreme did well in all these areas. I've looked and looked but not found any alternative right now. There are a few future (in the uk at least) products that might, but not right now.

My experience with the stability on them is not good - and I have had each of the last 3 generations. To me, this, along with range, are the most important things.

 

[hindmost]

THANK YOU APPLE!

I was in a quandary. I love Time Machine and my Time Capsule.

They work perfectly with my TWC internet connect.

However, Google Fiber has just installed on my street and they want me to switch and go from a 200mbps connect to a 1Gbps connect for less money than TWC. Also, AT&T sensing a chance to grab the 'fiber market' also just laid in a AT&/T Fiber line on my street. They also are putting notices on my front door. They also will offer 1Gbps up/down for less than the TWC 200Mbps.

So my 'quandary' has been that Google Fiber does not work with Time Capsule and I don't think AT&T Fiber does either.

sigh...sigh... Thus, I was considering keeping my Time Warner internet connect just to be able to use Time Machine.

SOLVED! Since time capsule is going away,....I'm signing with Google Fiber!

Goodbye Time Capsule/Time Machine. And since Apple is now primarily a telephone instrument company when my older MacBookPro craps out.....I'll eventually no longer be tied to the Apple ecosystem.

Tim and his being too enamored as a 'social activist' instead of Apple management and his staff of multi-millionaire minions are apparently focused on 'the good life' for themselves..NOW. Even Jonny Ive who wanted to work from London until Steve Jobs threatened him...seems to have 'disappeared' since Tim took over and now makes his portion of the 'iPhone introduction' via videotape. Bet he's living in the UK.

Point is.....there is no longer any, '.....next, new great thing' from Apple. Governments and Corporations seem to 'rise' and then 'fall'. Guess Apple is at their 'brink' for the coming fall.

 

[le.bouch]

Honestly, the new Asus routers do this quiet nicely. Just have to plug in an external hard drive and it will work the same way.

Really? I've yet to see a non-Apple router with a connected HHD that will take Time Machine backups?

 

[el-benja]

Apple has dissolved its division which develops wireless routers and is now sending engineers who worked on the AirPort lineup into other product teams, including one currently working on Apple TV. The news comes from a report by Bloomberg, who said Apple has been slowly shutting down the division over the past year and made the decision "to try to sharpen the company's focus on consumer products that generate the bulk of its revenue."

Currently, Apple sells three wireless routers, including the AirPort Express ($99), AirPort Extreme ($199), and AirPort Time Capsule ($299), but none of the devices have seen a refresh since 2013. A temporary stock shortage earlier in the year gave hope that a refresh of the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule was coming during WWDC, but Apple never mentioned the products during its keynote. The trio of wireless routers still remain available for purchase for the time being.
The central reason for abandoning the AirPort line appears to focus mainly on its small revenue gains in comparison to the company's more lucrative products, like the iPhone. Apple includes its routers in the "other products" category of its annual financial results, a section which generated $11.1 billion in fiscal 2016, or about 5 percent of the company's total sales.

Article Link: Apple Ceases Development of 'AirPort' Wireless Routers as Engineers Reassigned to Other Products

Are all Airport users going to be abandoned too? This is becoming a pattern in Apple's behavior. I have invested some money in Aiport products and will hate to see them disappear.

 

[phrehdd]

One day, the public will grow bored with the iCost2much goods and jump ship in large numbers. Will their computer division save them - No, as it has been stymied and left to rot. Will their higher end accessories save them - monitors, routers and long ago laser printers, no. Will their over priced laptop division save them, no.

It appears the only thing that will save Apple is the continued success at raising lemming fanbois who will buy whatever is in front of them that Apple tells them to buy whether it be older technology or some feature that is over-hyped

THANK YOU APPLE!

I was in a quandary. I love Time Machine and my Time Capsule.

They work perfectly with my TWC internet connect.

However, Google Fiber has just installed on my street and they want me to switch and go from a 200mbps connect to a 1Gbps connect for less money than TWC. Also, AT&T sensing a chance to grab the 'fiber market' also just laid in a AT&/T Fiber line on my street. They also are putting notices on my front door. They also will offer 1Gbps up/down for less than the TWC 200Mbps.

So my 'quandary' has been that Google Fiber does not work with Time Capsule and I don't think AT&T Fiber does either.

sigh...sigh... Thus, I was considering keeping my Time Warner internet connect just to be able to use Time Machine.

SOLVED! Since time capsule is going away,....I'm signing with Google Fiber!

Goodbye Time Capsule/Time Machine. And since Apple is now primarily a telephone instrument company when my older MacBookPro craps out.....I'll eventually no longer be tied to the Apple.
ecosystem.

Tim and his being too enamored with being, a 'social activist' and his staff of multi-millionaire minions are focused on 'the good life' for themselves..NOW. Even Ive who wanted to work from London until Steve Jobs threatened him...seems to have 'disappeared' since Tim took over and now makes his portion of the 'iPhone introduction' via videotape. Bet he's living in the UK.

Point is.....there is no longer any, '.....next, new great thing' from Apple. Governments and Corporations seem to 'rise' and then 'fall'. Guess Apple is at the 'brink' for the fall.

Why wouldn't your TC work with either of those fiber connections?

1) You can drop an Ethernet cable from your fiber "router" to your TC.
2) You can go in a bridge mode WiFi from your fiber "router" to your TC if the fiber "router" has WiFi
3) With either of the above options, you have a choice to allow the fiber router to control all IPs or
let it act like the WAN and your TC does the IP assignments (DHCP in most cases).

I have hooked up via Ethernet routers to a very old FIOS router to gain both 802.11n and 802.11ac. It works like a champ. I also did similar with a aDSL modem router. I find it interesting that for some people, you have to give them a "proof of concept" before they will upgrade their hardware. When they get on the added router's WiFi network they are shocked how much better things can be with respect to range and connectivity.

 

[Phil A.]

Really? I've yet to see a non-Apple router with a connected HHD that will take Time Machine backups?

I've got one - a synology 1900ac
I don't do time machine backups to it as I do them to my NAS but it definitely supports it https://www.synology.com/en-uk/products/RT1900ac

 

[Cole Slaw]

I totally agree with all you've written. The company Apple has lost it's soul. It's gotten lazy, money focused and lagging on all fronts. I'm this close to abandon ship.

For me the feeling is more like the ship is abandoning me.

 

[le.bouch]

I've got one - a synology 1900ac
I don't do time machine backups to it as I do them to my NAS but it definitely supports it https://www.synology.com/en-uk/products/RT1900ac

Thanks. I've read of people using NAS solutions (as you apparently do too) but not of people just plugging a USB HDD into their router. Not being pedantic but are you sure it works?

 

[unobtainium]

As a corporation, it can be sued by shareholders if it does something that doesn't maximise profit. Capitalism, babe.

On the one hand, there are short-term moneymakers (the iPhone, etc.). On the other hand, there are long-term strategies, like building an elegant, easy-to-use ecosystem. That was Apple's overarching strategy until Jobs died. It worked, and they gained an intensely loyal customer base that actively evangelized their products.

These recent moves are short-sighted and will damage Apple badly in the long run. I'm astonished that they're actually making these mistakes.

 

[wxman2003]

Apple's new business plan. "We don't make or sell anything. We simply exist, and people will pay for it"

 

[brentsg]

I have seen a few posts comparing this to Apple printers. Printers were by definition an edge device. The networking products are central to the ecosystem and therefore much more vital. The displays fall somewhere in between, but I think it was a mistake eliminating them because they demo'd so well in-store. They were just beautiful and despite the glossy nature that turned off professionals, they were highly admired in-store.

I think Apple is being short sighted lately, but it no longer surprises me. I went into the store to pick up a phone for my mom yesterday and left dissatisfied. It's crazy how you can leave there having spent a thousand bucks and they act like they're doing you a favor. I had to place a follow-up call to AppleCare at their request, and I did so before heading home. The AppleCare rep spent more time arguing with me over something trivial and ultimately unrelated to my issue .. I think more time doing that than just resolving my issue.

 

[mdlee2009]

Apple has dissolved its division which develops wireless routers and is now sending engineers who worked on the AirPort lineup into other product teams, including one currently working on Apple TV.

Be awesome if they could incorporate this into other products. Maybe an Apple TV with built in router?

 

[theghostofstevejobs]

There is clearly more in the works here. Apple is a forward thinking company. The reason this got axed is they're working on something that essentially will trounce this technology. Mark my words.

 

[Kastellen]

No worries, you don't need an Apple router to use airplay.

If Apple is killing AirPort, how long do you think they'll keep supporting the AirPlay protocol? I wouldn't venture long.

 

[Sedulous]

If Apple is killing AirPort, how long do you think they'll keep supporting the AirPlay protocol? I wouldn't venture long.

These two things have no codependence. Airplay is a separate thing from a router. Don't get me wrong, Apple seems to be making one bad choice after another. They might cut airplay development but not because of the decision to move router teams over to who knows what. Apple seems to be focused on being a trinket company and getting out of the computing business and using their stores to resell third party gadgets a la Radio Shack or Shaper Image. Sounds like a good plan based on the success of Radio Shack and Shaper Image.