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Apple Introduces Redesigned AirPort Express

ftaok said:
The current one can do this ... I'd be surprised if the new one couldn't. The only problem is that this new model still has a 10/100 ethernet port, so you would have slow speeds between devices that are connected on separate base stations. This to me is a deal breaker. Guess I'll have to go with a second AEBS.

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It's crippling if you want to do large file transfers between two computers with gigabit ethernet.
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Put them on a gigabit switch together and the 10/100 wont slow them down.
 
AppliedMicro said:
I think it would totally make sense if new, faster Wifi protocols will be limited to the more expensive "Pro" Airport stations, i.e. Extreme and Time Capsule.

Release the entry-level Express with "802.11n only" today - supporting only today's mainstream standards.
Bring on faster Extremes and Time Capsules later, with support for bleeding-edge wireless.

Certainly better than the other way 'round*, from a marketing standpoint, isn't it? ;)

* I.e., releasing a "new" and redesigned Express that is slower than its upcoming bigger siblings.
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Ah the joy of business...Replacing my TC and AEB's Yep, that figures....:D
 
Airport Utility on iOS

davidoloan said:
I like that you can set it up from airport utility on an ios device.

I wonder if we will be able to set up the extreme and time capsule that way too.
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This has been possible since the airport utility on the iPhone/iPad came out a few months ago. It works pretty nicely!
It's missing a few pro features, but overall it's good.
 
Can't find the list of supported audio types. Does it still not support high def stereo audio?
 
Ha wouldn't you know it.
Three days ago i went to the store and bought a new N Express to upgrade from my G Express.
Now i get to go back tomorrow and exchange my new one for an even newer one.
Of course
 
The new form factor is nice, however will i still be able to use the new one as a wireless access point for an existing network?
 
deific said:
This has been possible since the airport utility on the iPhone/iPad came out a few months ago. It works pretty nicely!
It's missing a few pro features, but overall it's good.
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Yeah?

Does it work on the Extreme's for initial set up?

I had to use the computer for my Extremes, though I can make adjustments on IOS afterwards.
 
MacRumors said:
drawing on the design of the Apple TV set-top box
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I disagree. I believe inspiration was taken from the airport extreme. But neither of us work at Apple so we both will not know the real inspiration behind the express design change.

Do I want one though? Heck yes. I'm trying to justify it right now as I type this.
 
Was the 3.5mm audio output of the last generation AirPort Express both analog and digital optical? Or is this a new thing for this version?
 
With the new airport express - I will be using it to extend my network and for the airtunes plug. Since I am using a dual band airport base station will his extend my network on both channels?
 
tthip said:
With the new airport express - I will be using it to extend my network and for the airtunes plug. Since I am using a dual band airport base station will his extend my network on both channels?
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No it will not...either or.

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wesk702 said:
This is exactly what you want dude. It's not a router. Lol
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it most certianly is a router...

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wesk702 said:
This is exactly what you want dude. It's not a router. Lol
Click to expand...

it most certianly is a router...
 
gramirez2012 said:
Previous version had both as well.
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Cool, if I were to take my old generation Express to my office, will I be able to use it as an AirPlay device to play music even though I'll be connected to another router for wireless Internet etc?

I basically want to use my old as a 2nd device in the office to only stream music through. Do I need to be connected to it using the airport menu at the top of my screen or will I be able to choose it just to play music through while being connected to another network for Internet.

Then I can more easily justify updating my home router to the new AP Express.
 
Mike Oxard said:
I've never had good success with AirPlay to airport expresses. I've got three just for that purpose and hardly use them because the audio is always dropping out. I just plug my phone into the powered speakers now, much less frustrating.
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I've got two AirPort Extreme routers with some connected AirPort Express routers and I encountered issues like this as well (especially when jumping between routers in the network). Apple addressed this bug and another similar bug I was encountering in the last firmware update, so if your devices are new enough, give it another shot. Everything works flawlessly for me now. It was extremely frustrating for me before.

RoboCop001 said:
This didn't work for me when I did this setup. No matter what steps I followed I couldn't get access over the Ethernet port.
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Works great, old or new. I'm using it (effectively) at at least one point in my network.
 
I use my last generation Airport Express to do a few different things.

1) As an extender to my latest generation Airport Extreme Base Station.

2) Plugged into my A/V receiver for use of AirTunes

3) Plugged in via ethernet to my non wifi devices (1st gen Xbox & Blu Ray player)

Can someone let me know whether or not the NEW Airport Express released today would be any better for the purposes I need them for? (NOT as a standalone router)

Not too knowledgeable on networking issues but would the simultaneous dual band help me out any way as a network EXTENDER? Is the current generation Airport Express holding back the speeds coming from my AEBS by limiting me to either 2.4ghz or 5gHz?

I spend the majority of my time in the room with the extender and I'm sort of disappointed by the speeds I've been getting on my devices, any knowledge would be greatly appreciated
 
Diode said:
Seems silly to only include a 100mbit ethernet jack. If you're plugging this into a network that would severely cripple the capabilities of N.
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While I agree that this should have gigabit ethernet, I question the "severely cripple" part. I have my current Airport Express within 2 feet of my new Mac Mini. The network is set to "n only". The Mini is currently at 144Mb/s connection. Theoretically, this fast ethernet port would cap it at 100Mb/s.

While it would have less throughput to connect my Mini directly to this new Express, I would think the lowered wifi usage would actually improve the overall throughput over the air when streaming from the Mini to another device on my network.
 
fat jez said:
this is exactly what I do. I have a set top box that can also stream over the internet and which needs an ethernet connection. Since it's miles away from my other network gear, I connect the AE to my wifi network and extend the network over ethernet.
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I do this too. I've got an 802.11n Express extending my 5GHz network, with a 4-port switch attached to it. The switch handles the TV, Tivo, PS3, and Wii.

For the guy who was asking - on the 802.11n models, if you "extend a wireless network" the Ethernet port should be enabled by default. If you "join a wireless network" there's a checkbox "Allow ethernet clients". This is using Airport Utility 5.6.1.

arkmannj said:
the old design you could attach a longer cord to it, I used to do that on occasion for specific jobs (the plug pops out and can be replaced like the the portable power supply in Apple's MacBook (pro). It was very handy to have those parts be interchangeable especially for traveling.
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I have a weighted base that Griffin used to make specifically for the Airport Express that would let you set it securely on a shelf or a desk. I've found it to be very handy, but it must not have sold well since they stopped making them several years ago.
 
I hate the look of it. I've been waiting for them to update the Express for awhile now. Defiantly not buying one.

This just seems so much more hassel. Old one, plug into wall, no cords (other than for usb etc) for power so worries of tripping. Now if I want to put this where I wanted to originally I'd need to need to add a little stand or hide it away in a draw.

AND. Who went "Oh look, the apple tv box would be a good choice for redesign of the AirPort Express" then there is the horrible white colour (WHICH wouldn't match all my black apple products and tv, stereo etc) Why not offer black or white ATV, white/black ipads, ipods & iphones. I don't know much about hardware, but hasn't this now gotten bigger compared to the old Express? I hope the rest dont get this design, bit white apple tvs pretty much :(
 
Stridder44 said:
I'm surprised they don't do something like this. Imagine a tiny device (smaller than your thumb) that plugs right into the 3.5mm jack and simply connects to an existing wifi network for simple, quick, and easy airplay to any device that has a 3.5mm jack (you could set it up by plugging it into any Mac, where when inserted into a Mac a Wifi Utility specifically designed for it automatically opens up, ready for configuration). Price it somewhere between $10 and $30 and it would sell like crazy.
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Imagine a tiny device, smaller than a mouse, that spits out a gold coin every 10 minutes. Sell it for $50 and it would sell like CRAZY.

a) Your device is unrealistically small.

b) You forgot the power supply completely.

c) A device like that is -- certainly at apple accessory prices -- more like $50-80. Which means useless, because the APE exists, which is why they're not making one.

A third party manufacturer, sans licensing costs, reverse engineered protocol, and using a USB power supply (many devices you want to plug into have USB to plug into for power, if it doesn't you're going to need that power cord anyway) might be able to make something like that for $30 in large volume. And no, they wouldn't sell like crazy. They'd also need a 3.5mm cable to connect from wherever you have the power to the destination, which makes the solution clunky.
 
I had this redesign; the whole point of the express was convenience, plugging straight into a socket was convenient, this is not. I could understand wanting to reduce the profile, but it had all the capabilities that were needed already.

This seems like more of a design for the extreme base-station, which doesn't need to be as big as it currently is. For the Express this is a major step back.
 
I can not see this supporting the latest WiFi tech when a) it is still under development and not fully ratified and b) no apple device supports it.

Once both those are done then we would probally see it supported.

Kimbie
 
Sorry for the silly question - but whats the difference with this and the Extreme now then?? Just that the Extreme has more ethernet ports??

Are the Extreme ethernet ports GigaBit?
 
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