Apple 'Not' Working on New AirPort, But Apple TV and HomePod Provide Glimmer of Hope

[MacRumors]

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple is developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that will debut in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models next year. The report led to hopes that Apple might also use the chip to revive its line of AirPort routers, which were discontinued in 2018, but those dreams have been dashed by Gurman himself.

In his Power On newsletter today, the well-connected journalist said that Apple is "not" currently working on new AirPort routers.

Gurman did offer a glimmer of hope. He said that Apple's in-house Wi-Fi chip is "so sophisticated" that it could "theoretically" turn a home device like a future Apple TV or HomePod into a wireless access point. However, he did not confirm if Apple will actually follow through with that idea, so keep your expectations low for the time being.

Apple's in-house Wi-Fi chip could still have other benefits for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models, including Wi-Fi 6E support.

Article Link: Apple 'Not' Working on New AirPort, But Apple TV and HomePod Provide Glimmer of Hope

 

[ReliableSource]

What routers are considered the best nowadays? I have an Asus that has been decent, but I’d prefer good or great to decent.

 

[MichaelDroste]

I still have the airports - can’t even sell on Facebook marketplace for $19 lol 😆

 

[MichaelDroste]

What routers are considered the best nowadays? I have an Asus that has been decent, but I’d prefer good or great to decent.

Rs600 $499 by night hawk netgear

 

[hieranonymous]

A HomePod that connects directly to a broadband modem and functions as a wireless router would slap.

 

[jent]

Please make routers again! Time Capsule was incredible, and made backups for regular people’s Macs so easy. And this could also push HomeKit into more homes, giving more Apple users a Thread/Matter hub.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is the product I've most wanted from them again

I do not understand why they won't keep making them

 

[211]

This is the product I've most wanted from them again

I do not understand why they won't keep making them

Apple prefers to focus its energy on things people haven’t been asking for or need

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple prefers to focus its energy on things people haven’t been asking for or need

Touché!
You are very very correct my friend

(everyone) "Please make routers again!"

(Apple) "Here's a VR headset and an iPad on a docking stand to control lights you don't own"

 

[kagharaht]

The Airports were super reliable. Always used them until Apple discontinued it. Now I use the Velop MX4200. After a couple of bad firmwares fiasco, they have been rock solid since. I use the 3 pack version and it's super reliable.

 

[maximit]

WiFi 6E? I would hope they have WiFi 7! Im a network engineer but I still use AirPorts and Time Capsules at my house, they work great up to 1gbps wireless speed with MIMO on a private DFS channel (forced with a hack), also still have two AirPort Express units for Airplay use. I do wish they had some 2.5g or 10g ports on them and faster access speed on the TimeCapsule as I use it for file sharing. There is no big practical advantage with 6 or 6E but I might finally upgrade when WiFi 7 comes out on the MacBook line.

 

[Thanatoast]

This is the product I've most wanted from them again

I do not understand why they won't keep making them

because an airport with time machine means they can't sell icloud services.

 

[kirky29]

I always liked the Airport range, and Time Machine backups were amazing at the time. Now I just use the TP Link Omada stuff, I have a farm and it all works nicely enough with very little 'tinkering'.

 

[JungleNYC]

It was always a bummer Apple stopped making Time Capsules. Having local TM backups like this should be a no brainer.

 

[turbineseaplane]

because an airport with time machine means they can't sell icloud services.

Why not sell Time Machine in the Cloud as a Service? (via AirPort/TimeMachine hardware)

 

[victorvictoria]

I don't need or even want an AirPort. The Apple TVs I have work just fine for me. I might buy another HomePod to get stereo playback, but I don't really need that either. Tell you what I want, what I really really want: I want Apple to focus like a laser on core competencies, and leverage them for maximum profit. Those competencies are operating systems, services, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Macs. Consumer products, every one. Enough with the doo-dads. Just keep improving those core products and services and the customer base will continue to both grow and upgrade. (Speaking as a shareholder, former employee and current consumer.)

 

[Rychiar]

What routers are considered the best nowadays? I have an Asus that has been decent, but I’d prefer good or great to decent.

I got Deco Wi-Fi seven routers

 

[maximit]

What routers are considered the best nowadays? I have an Asus that has been decent, but I’d prefer good or great to decent.

I like Asus and Netgear, they tend to have the best hardware. Asus has some great products with load balancing etc. Netgear has recently moved some functionality of their routers to subscription model, but nothing essential. They are both not cheap, TP-Link is very affordable but they on the way to getting banned in USA as they are Chinese and have some security flaws.

 

[poematik13]

Time capsule was such an amazing product. Now we are back to goofy USB backup drives dangling from hubs and a seperate router. We literally regressed.

What routers are considered the best nowadays? I have an Asus that has been decent, but I’d prefer good or great to decent.

Ubiquiti (their consumer line is Amplifi). dont waste money on anything else

 

[vantelimus]

What routers are considered the best nowadays? I have an Asus that has been decent, but I’d prefer good or great to decent.

I used AirPorts for many years. They were very reasonable for a home router 10 years ago. But, when Apple discontinued them and as standards kept evolving, I switched to NetGear. I've had an Orbi 960 and now use an Orbi 970. Both are good and have been trouble free in use. The one caveat is that some 970s appear to develop a (likely heat related) problem (due to a manufacturing defect) pretty quickly. I had to return the first one I bought to the retailer. I reordered off of the Netgear website thinking I would get one without the defect. That worked. The unit has worked flawlessly for a number of months so far.

 

[maximit]

Time capsule was such an amazing product. Now we are back to goofy USB backup drives dangling from hubs and a seperate router. We literally regressed.



Ubiquiti (their consumer line is Amplifi). dont waste money on anything else

I use them on commercial installs but I would not recommend their home products. They have not upgraded the consumer line to WiFi 7 or even 6E, they pretty much ignore the home lineup. If I had to guess, they might be on the way to being discontinued like the AirPorts.

 

[F4C4]

Apple should do it like McDonald’s with the McRib: Bring back the airport routers every now and then for a limited time and only in person at Apple Stores… would be nice to see lines forming outside for a change…

 

[vantelimus]

I still have the airports - can’t even sell on Facebook marketplace for $19 lol 😆

They are still very useful for the majority of US households. A couple of years ago, the average home internet speed was 119mbps. That's well below 802.11ac speeds.

 

[jz0309]

I could care less, had a time capsule that needed rebooting at least weekly. Besides, a lot of people in the US get a WiFi router from their internet provider. And IF Apple will release one in the future, folks here will call them out for price gouging …

 

[svish]

Seems really far off. Not expecting to see another Airport in the near future. Will take at least another 3 to 4 years for all Apple products to have in house WiFi chips. Maybe 2 to 3 years after the transition is completed, we might see some benefits.