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

Rob_2811 · Nov 24, 2016

Abazigal said:
My point is that people are essentially making very superficial and uneducated arguments here. We see very generic statements like "it strengths the google ecosystem (somehow)", yet the people making these claims are completely unable to support their claims with any facts or examples whatsoever.

It's not exactly rocket science. Even when we do debate in school, we are expected to research on evidence and proof to support the arguments we make.

We see people wailing about how Apple exiting the router market weakens the Apple ecosystem somehow, yet I am seeing very little evidence to corroborate those claims.

I am hoping for deeper, more in-depth, well-reasoned and thought out arguments, and well, I guess it's a shame that this simply isn't happening.

Ok but what Google do has ultimately got nothing to do with this thread.

The reason I think that people are concerned by this is that it is more evidence that Apple doesn't care about the professional market, obviously that has been a hot topic recently, the article even says so

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."

Given that the Airport devices are essentially Mac peripherals it isn't particularly encouraging news for the future of the Mac. Hot on the heels of the news that the Automator team had been disbanded as well.

andycarver · Nov 25, 2016

MacRumors said:
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

Please explain how a household will back up multiple macs? Will apple officially support network shares apart from Time capsule and server?

maflynn · Nov 25, 2016

andycarver said:
Please explain how a household will back up multiple macs? Will apple officially support network shares apart from Time capsule and server?

Buy a NAS which is designed for network storage that allows multiple computers to be backed up

zhenya · Nov 25, 2016

Abazigal said:
My point is that people are essentially making very superficial and uneducated arguments here. We see very generic statements like "it strengths the google ecosystem (somehow)", yet the people making these claims are completely unable to support their claims with any facts or examples whatsoever.

It's not exactly rocket science. Even when we do debate in school, we are expected to research on evidence and proof to support the arguments we make.

We see people wailing about how Apple exiting the router market weakens the Apple ecosystem somehow, yet I am seeing very little evidence to corroborate those claims.

I am hoping for deeper, more in-depth, well-reasoned and thought out arguments, and well, I guess it's a shame that this simply isn't happening.

To me, the issue is this. On the Windows side of things, consumers are left on their own to do their research to figure out what the best (or at least what a decent) product is to buy. There are so many choices that the vast majority of people are overwhelmed and end up choosing based on some sliver of information - they buy what they've heard of from some advertisement, or what the person in the store or someone like me has suggested to them. That might get them something acceptable, and it might buy them a bunch of frustration.

Part of the story that seems to be getting lost these days at Apple is that having an entire ecosystem is part of what has made Apple so successful in the first place. The iPhone becomes a lot harder to leave if you are also invested in Macs, iPads, AppleTV, and all the services that glue them together. The iPhone alone isn't enough in the long run. This is the problem with letting the Mac Pro, Mac Mini, iMacs, etc. go too long between updates, dropping Apple monitors and the routers. It's not that those need to make a lot of money for Apple on their own, but that people bought them because they trusted that they were among the best products in that category without having to worry about looking elsewhere. People start to look elsewhere for their desktops, monitors, and routers, and suddenly they become a lot more willing to leave Apple for their laptops, phones and tablets.
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maflynn said:
Buy a NAS which is designed for network storage that allows multiple computers to be backed up

Which is exactly the kind of thing that buying a Time Capsule has allowed Apple customers to avoid in the past. Buying a NAS means choosing a NAS, setting it up, configuring it to work with Time Machine. Hoping that Time Machine sees the device. Hoping that a firmware update from that manufacturer or a software update from Apple doesn't break compatibility because those companies are no longer on the same page.

As opposed to - buy a Time Capsule, hook it up to your network. Open Time Machine which suggests your new TC as a new backup device. Done.

maflynn · Nov 25, 2016

zhenya said:
Which is exactly the kind of thing that buying a Time Capsule has allowed Apple customers to avoid in the past. Buying a NAS means choosing a NAS, setting it up,

I agree with you to a point. Yes, TC allowed this sort of functionality and its setup was very apple like, i.e., simple. On the other hand makers like Synology and qNAP have made configuring NAS units quite easy and simple.

Personally, I prefer a DAS, because of the performance but my needs are such that I only need to backup a single computer, so in that situation, a DAS is better

zhenya · Nov 25, 2016

maflynn said:
I agree with you to a point. Yes, TC allowed this sort of functionality and its setup was very apple like, i.e., simple. On the other hand makers like Synology and qNAP have made configuring NAS units quite easy and simple.

Personally, I prefer a DAS, because of the performance but my needs are such that I only need to backup a single computer, so in that situation, a DAS is better

Simple for people like you and me. Impossible for someone like my parents or grandparents who are all Apple users precisely because of the situation I describe above. I was just related a story at dinner yesterday where my wife's parents returned a Roku they bought recently because they couldn't figure it out. Literally all they wanted to do was watch Netflix and they were totally frustrated by the experience. This is the kind of customer Apple grabbed in droves over the past decade. And they did so by making the complex accessible - which is actually a really difficult thing to do - and why they appealed to both the technophobes and technophiles simultaneously.

maflynn · Nov 25, 2016

zhenya said:
Simple for people like you and me. Impossible for someone like...

How many grandparents need a NAS to backup multiple computers? Perhaps if they have a fairly robust computer layout in their house, they may very well have the knowledge to setup.

I think the point remains
1. Apple killed it off.
2. There are other solutions out there, that are not too difficult to setup.

Just my $.02

zhenya said:
This is the kind of customer Apple grabbed in droves over the past decade

I don't disagree, I think its disconcerting that we see apple shedding off products, like this, or killing off it ACD. I'm not really happy about it, nor am I justifying their actions. I am pointing out that the @andycarver asked what can he use now to back up multiple computers, and I answered the question. It really wasn't intended to debate the complexities of a NAS vs TC, but rather offer a solution to a member who was asking.

le.bouch · Nov 25, 2016

The discussion in the posts above ignores other elements of the Airport system. It's not JUST about Time Machine backups. I love the way my Airport Expresses (I have 3, Ethernet connected to my Time Capsule) automagically extend my wireless network over my house and garden. And at each of those AE points I can plug in speakers and have iTunes on my iMac play back simultaneously to all of them. I will miss that (so simple) setup as much as I will the easy TM interface.

zhenya · Nov 25, 2016

le.bouch said:
The discussion in the posts above ignores other elements of the Airport system. It's not JUST about Time Machine backups. I love the way my Airport Expresses (I have 3, Ethernet connected to my Time Capsule) automagically extend my wireless network over my house and garden. And at each of those AE points I can plug in speakers and have iTunes on my iMac play back simultaneously to all of them. I will miss that (so simple) setup as much as I will the easy TM interface.

I totally agree - although I'd place the AE stuff in the 'slightly more complicated' category. I've set my mom up with an AE I gave her at least 3-4 times over the years, connected it to her Bose Wave radio, showed her how to play her music through it. And every time I go back to her house, it's put away and she's listening through her Macbook's speakers.

jblagden · Nov 25, 2016

cube said:
I still use an AEBS because of HFS+.

Apple should make this technology available for other routers.

Actually, it is available for other routers. A great example is the Linksys ACS1900. It’s expensive, but it’s currently on sale for $180, which is the same price as the Airport Extreme. Though, judging by those external antennas, I’d say that Linksys router will likely have much better coverage than any of Apple’s routers. has a USB 3.0 port and also an eSATA port which can double as a USB 2.0 port.

le.bouch · Nov 25, 2016

jblagden said:
Actually, it is available for other routers. A great example is the Linksys ACS1900. It’s expensive, but it’s currently on sale for $180, which is the same price as the Airport Extreme. Though, judging by those external antennas, I’d say that Linksys router will likely have much better coverage than any of Apple’s routers. has a USB 3.0 port and also an eSATA port which can double as a USB 2.0 port.

Thanks for suggesting that router - its good to have some options if the Airport range does go down the pan. I have to say though (as someone who has their TC in view), that Linksys is FUGLY...

phrehdd · Nov 25, 2016

le.bouch said:
Thanks for suggesting that router - its good to have some options if the Airport range does go down the pan. I have to say though (as someone who has their TC in view), that Linksys is FUGLY...

Give smallnetbuilder site a try for choices of routers. I'll just say that for a good ac1900 router, look at both Asus and Netgear which for all the right reasons are time and time again a good buy with respect to price and performance (example being the Netgear Nighthawk r7000).

I am not happy with Apple's decision but was never that fond of the AE's after Apple made the front end software "dumb." Instead of getting rid of the AE line up, they should have improved it and offered far more features or improved performance.

Klaatu63 · Nov 25, 2016

maflynn said:
Buy a NAS which is designed for network storage that allows multiple computers to be backed up

Unfortunately Time Machine does it play well with NAS devices. I have mixed results over the last year with a Wedtern Digital ICloud. Sometimes it works sometimes it runs for days. I do not think that any IT professional would ever rely on A NAS Time Machine backup.

splifingate · Nov 25, 2016

+/- aside...

Just grabbed the last AETC(2GB) from a local BestBuy, and the installation/performance is AllGood[TM].

Figured I would give it a try before it's gone, gone...gone.

Good Stuff

brunerd · Nov 25, 2016

The attack on the Internet of Things (re: Mirai) is the single biggest reason Apple should keep developing routers. Leaving consumers to wade through a sea of abandonware routers hurts the Internet and Apple's customers. Apple was a vendor that actually updated firmwares to it's wireless products (within reason). I find it boggling that they'd axe this division given they are moving into their spaceship soon enough and will have lots of room. Come on Apple this is like when you said you wouldn't make iPhone docks anymore. It was stupid. Just make a damn dock. Same here, make a damn router (and make a damn 'Extreme' router that also has Airplay too)

B60boy · Nov 26, 2016

While out shopping for a new router, the shelves at Best Buy had the Airport Extremes and TC's discounted heavily. I almost bought one since I'm in the market since my old Extreme is outdated. With Apple getting out of the business, and the arrogant Upper Management not making any comment on a router direction, I bought a NetGear NightHawk X6. My neighbor has it and it's a kick ass router. Being installed today.

I would have bought the whatever next gen Apple router, but I have been waiting well over a year. So, Apple has let a competitor to a degree enter my Apple Household Kingdon. I'm sure I'm not alone.

le.bouch · Nov 26, 2016

An interesting thread on this subject started to develop on the official Apple support forum but was deleted without warning. I'm not sure if that's a good thing (maybe it is just a rumour and not true?) or more arrogance from Apple..

Mac 128 · Nov 26, 2016

Rob_2811 said:
Ok but what Google do has ultimately got nothing to do with this thread.

The reason I think that people are concerned by this is that it is more evidence that Apple doesn't care about the professional market, obviously that has been a hot topic recently, the article even says so

Given that the Airport devices are essentially Mac peripherals it isn't particularly encouraging news for the future of the Mac. Hot on the heels of the news that the Automator team had been disbanded as well.

I'm not sure how the AirPort relates exclusively to the Mac? iPads, iPods, Apple TVs, Watches and iPhones also benefit from them as well. If Apple stopped making Macs, iOS devices would still need an AirPort in the home.

Time Capsule is another issue. Then again, Apple is pushing iCloud storage. And frankly, a TC is the last device a "pro" user would chose as it's a slow process. Much simpler to have a backup disk attached to a dock to do it much more quickly.

Considering the average consumer is given a free wireless router/gateway to whatever ISP to which they subscribe, the AirPort can often be more difficult to set up than not. I'm disappointed in this development, but I can't say I'm surprised.

cmaier · Nov 26, 2016

Mac 128 said:
I'm not sure how the AirPort relates exclusively to the Mac? iPads, iPods, Apple TVs, Watches and iPhones also benefit from them as well. If Apple stopped making Macs, iOS devices would still need an AirPort in the home.

Time Capsule is another issue. Then again, Apple is pushing iCloud storage. And frankly, a TC is the last device a "pro" user would chose as it's a slow process. Much simpler to have a backup disk attached to a dock to do it much more quickly.

Considering the average consumer is given a free wireless router/gateway to whatever ISP to which they subscribe, the AirPort can often be more difficult to set up than not. I'm disappointed in this development, but I can't say I'm surprised.

Tc is useful even for pros, because it backs up even when you aren't plugged in. That's why I use both time machine with 2 alternating NASs at home, and daily carbon copy cloner backups when I am docked at work.

Mac 128 · Nov 26, 2016

cmaier said:
Tc is useful even for pros, because it backs up even when you aren't plugged in. That's why I use both time machine with 2 alternating NASs at home, and daily carbon copy cloner backups when I am docked at work.

I know what it does. It's great for my Mom. But I am growing increasingly frustrated with its speed. My MacBook Pro has to be on to backup, and often by the time it's started its automated backups, I have to interrupt them. So a week might go by before it can do a proper uninterrupted backup at home, and then it takes hours to backup many GB of data. As a pro, there's much more efficient ways to transfer my data far more reliably, including just plugging in a dedicated drive. I've started to consider using iCloud instead because it actually backs up faster, can back up from and is accessible from anywhere, and I don't have to worry about the TC drive failing, or backing up the TC. The only thing stopping me is the cost at present. But now that TC is coming to an end, we'll hopefully see iCloud storage prices come down.

cmaier · Nov 26, 2016

Mac 128 said:
I know what it does. It's great for my Mom. But I am growing increasingly frustrated with its speed. My MacBook Pro has to be on to backup, and often by the time it's started its automated backups, I have to interrupt them. So a week might go by before it can do a proper uninterrupted backup at home, and then it takes hours to backup many GB of data. As a pro, there's much more efficient ways to transfer my data far more reliably, including just plugging in a dedicated drive. I've started to consider using iCloud instead because it actually backs up faster, can back up from and is accessible from anywhere, and I don't have to worry about the TC drive failing, or backing up the TC. The only thing stopping me is the cost at present. But now that TC is coming to an end, we'll hopefully see iCloud storage prices come down.

iCloud isn't an option when you have lots of working machines and capped internet, like many of us do.

^^BIGMac · Nov 26, 2016

le.bouch said:
An interesting thread on this subject started to develop on the official Apple support forum but was deleted without warning. I'm not sure if that's a good thing (maybe it is just a rumour and not true?) or more arrogance from Apple..

Pretty sure you know the answer to that.

phrehdd · Nov 26, 2016

le.bouch said:
An interesting thread on this subject started to develop on the official Apple support forum but was deleted without warning. I'm not sure if that's a good thing (maybe it is just a rumour and not true?) or more arrogance from Apple..

It is obvious that the starter/creater of that thread doesn't know what she/he was doing. If that threat was based on discussion at least 2 years old with suggestions that are now antiquated and then the thread was locked down after say 14 posts..then it would have been left on line. After all, it would be out of date and THIN, the two major thing Apple loves.

Rob_2811 · Nov 26, 2016

le.bouch said:
An interesting thread on this subject started to develop on the official Apple support forum but was deleted without warning. I'm not sure if that's a good thing (maybe it is just a rumour and not true?) or more arrogance from Apple..

As good as confirmation to be honest. Doubt Bloomberg/Gurman would've written this up if they weren't confident it was true. They are usually well sourced.

mpainesyd · Nov 26, 2016

muasachi said:
I guess I'll just have to buy the current one.
No hope for the next time capsule then.

So much for speculations (including myself) of a boost in performance of the hard disk of the TC!

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

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