Apple Devices Escape Mention in WikiLeaks' Latest 'Vault 7' CIA Hacking Documents

[0388631]

I've tried many other competing range extenders in the past and have generally found that Belkin, DLink and Linksys products are vastly inferior and don't play nice with my Macs. The only consistent success I've had beyond Apple is with Netgear; currently using a Nighthawk EX700 and it's been nothing short of amazing.

Frankly, those brands are awful with PCs, too. Netgear or Asus are the top companies. Both make excellent hardware. Funky looking, too. Good choice.

 

[dan110]

Apple likely dropped their AirPort and TimeCapsule products because it's a low volume, low margin, commodity business, which is already served by third party companies. it dilutes their resources ($, engineering, manufacturing, and premium retail space) from their core capabilities and higher margin products.

That may be true, but it destroys the airtight links in the chain of the Apple ecosystem.

I literally have everything Apple in my house related to computer, mobile devices, and WiFi Router. Why? Because it all just works together. Breaking that chain by discontinue the WiFi routers creates hassle for me and many others. This is the very reason why we adopted and pay the "Apple Tax" even though there are less expensive options on the market.

Tim is driving the business into the ground. They're the most valuable company in the world and possibly to ever exist yet they can't have a dedicated team devoted to in house networking, the Mac (it's rumored there is no longer a dedicated Mac team), etc. It's pathetic really.

 

[BuddyTronic]

Apple likely dropped their AirPort and TimeCapsule products because it's a low volume, low margin, commodity business, which is already served by third party companies. it dilutes their resources ($, engineering, manufacturing, and premium retail space) from their core capabilities and higher margin products.

That's what they "say", but it makes no sense to me. Wireless internet is an important part of what makes Apple products "just work" - so now every grandma with a Mac has to use a D-link? (not that D-link is bad, maybe it's even better than Airport).

The theory used to be that if you stuck with Apple hardware, you'd have less hassles.

Who really knows what is the truth these days.

 

[Ted13]

No. Like I posted above, there are credible reports that Apple is already dropping its (AirPort) router business. That means that in the future, all Apple servers and networks will have to rely on routers made by those other companies like Dell, Cisco, Belkin, Linksys, etc.

Hopefully Apple "dropping" the AirPort/TimeCapsule will prove as inaccurate as Apple dropping the MacPro and Mac in general...

Those of us living in small apartments in big cities don't want a mesh, we just want updates of the current AirPorts (like double the storage capacity for the TimeCapsule, and software changes to allow multiple Mac Time Machines to share the same 6~8TB Time Capsule)

 

[elvisimprsntr]

That's what they "say", but it makes no sense to me. Wireless internet is an important part of what makes Apple products "just work" - so now every grandma with a Mac has to use a D-link? (not that D-link is bad, maybe it's even better than Airport).

The theory used to be that if you stuck with Apple hardware, you'd have less hassles.

Who really knows what is the truth these days.

That's the problem. It's difficult for Apple or any other manufacturer to design a trouble free WIFI product with the increasing density of WIFI/BT signals in urban and suburban areas (all competing for the same spectrum), mandatory DFS, mandatory requirements to prevent user manual channel and power selection, rapid technology changes, etc. The average consumer can only report, "It's not working," which likely is not a problem with the device itself. Just look at reviews of some of the Apple AirPort products. Also, ask yourself why most (if not all) consumer WIFI router manufacturers have switched to community forum support, online trouble ticket support, and paid premium support after 30 days. Just seems like more headaches than what little revenue the product would generate.

Reference:

https://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/presentations/files/oct07/Oct_07-DFS_Update_Final-AL.pdf

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/fcc-we-arent-banning-dd-wrt-on-wi-fi-routers/

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/ME918/airport-extreme

 

[Ted13]

That's the problem. It's difficult for Apple or any other manufacturer to design a trouble free WIFI product with the increasing density of WIFI/BT signals in urban and suburban areas (all competing for the same spectrum), mandatory DFS, mandatory requirements to prevent user manual channel and power selection, rapid technology changes, etc. The average consumer can only report, "It's not working," which likely is not a problem with the device itself. Just look at reviews of some of the Apple AirPort products. Also, ask yourself why most (if not all) consumer WIFI router manufacturers have switched to community forum support, online trouble ticket support, and paid premium support after 30 days. Just seems like more headaches than what little revenue the product would generate.

Reference:

https://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/presentations/files/oct07/Oct_07-DFS_Update_Final-AL.pdf

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/fcc-we-arent-banning-dd-wrt-on-wi-fi-routers/

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/ME918/airport-extreme

I agree with you completely, but just because it is difficult and not a profit center for Apple doesn't mean they should give up on WiFi support. Apple's users greatly benefit from AirPort ease of use and support. It is one more thing that prevents users from switching to another OS or hardware supplier. Lock-ins like that are only positive for users.

If anything, I would argue that Apple should be supplying HDTVs and printers for the exact same reason. UIs from most non-Apple companies is horrific. Look at what happened when they dropped the Apple Cinema Display - the 5K LG that followed it promptly had a horrible hardware bug that prevented their display from functioning (ironically) near WiFi routers. Apple seems to have learned from that experience and are bringing back the Apple Cinema Display - and hopefully they will keep that in mind with the AirPort. Not every single device needs to be a profit center of the level of an iPhone, nor does every one have to a revolutionary breakthrough. Just good reliable UIs and support would be worth maintaining WiFi & Display device and even entering the TV market.