Apple Officially Discontinues AirPort Wireless Router Lineup [Updated]

[Chupa Chupa]

Perhaps in the phone market but it's been a while since they were at the "top" of the desktop/laptop market.

When I say "top" I mean as a healthy company, not particular division performance.

But Apple hasn't been at the top of the PC market since the early 1980s. And since the 1990s it's never had market share better than around 12% peak. Today it's around 10%, but the PC market is shrinking in general, esp. in the consumer area. Apple really makes no secret that its future is iOS hardware, not Mac OS hardware.
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I disagree in one sense. The Airport is one of those (now rare) "magical" products that is a combo of power, usability, and interesting use cases. For example, I have my Main Time Capsule plugged into a USB Hub. Every month, I plug in a portable drive and Airport Utility clones the TC hard drive. That drive is then stored in a secure place off site so that, in the event of fire or flood, I can recreate my family's digital life for each Mac, Mac Mini, MacBook Pro, etc. in the house. This is seamless and takes me about 3 min of time. The light on the TC goes from blinking to green when it is done. It is elegant and easy. Sure other routers can do certain things TC can do but there are not many rock solid, NAS providing, Mac integrated, beautiful, and reasonably priced routers.

It is a shame.

Sure, but I do the same thing with a regular hard drive and my MBP via Time Machine. All my other Macs regularly backup to the cloud + local backup drive too . You don't need TC to make backups. TC was great before broadband for that when uploading big files was a pain but that time as really passed, esp. with gigabit speeds rapidly rolling out. But if you wanted to do a NAS, again, plenty of those that support Mac. Use Carbon Copy Cloner. Great combo.

 

[HappySponge]

It is a shame Apple is doing this. The tight integration between the various items in the ecosystem was quite the selling point. However once my airport time capsule (2011?) started going (5GHz channel would just disappear and would have to reboot it to get it back as one example, wifi pauses/hiccups, random disconnects, etc) I decided to go with the Netgear Orbi since all the time capsule options where old.

I was shocked about how badly apple let the time capsule go once the Orbi was up and running. The iOS app is amazing and something I wish apple had for the time capsule. All my wifi issues went away.

I hope this isn't a sign that Apple is going to be getting out of more and more hardware areas (mac Mini for example).

 

[vipergts2207]

Because iPhone upgrade cycles seem to be slowly getting longer and longer, and the smartphone market is increasingly becoming saturated. I think Apple saw this day coming and has been preparing for it ever since. If new iPhone features are starting to over serve customers to the point where they no longer see the need to upgrade every 1-2 years, and may instead hold on to them for 4 years or longer, then the solution (to me at least) is the Apple Watch. Because the watch is still so new, it will be easier to add features every year and market them to the consumer more visibly, and that would be more incentive for the user to upgrade their watches on a more frequent basis. Thereby creating an additional revenue stream.



And browsing isn't the only thing I do on my phone. I do a fair amount of work on my iPad, and I choose to do what I do on my iPad because it's a better experience compared to a PC for me. What I can't get done on my iPad, I go back to my Mac. Same here. The watch doesn't have to absorb 100% of the functionality of the iPhone. Simply take on enough functionality and do them well enough to justify owning one. You still have the option of going back to a smartphone for the stuff you can't do as well on a watch, like web browsing, but for everything else, the watch can still prove to be faster and more convenient given the right conditions.

As we speak, the Apple Watch is only a couple of years old. Don't be too quick to underestimate this product.

How often do you think people are going to upgrade their watches? Even Apple’s update cycle for them is longer than the iPhone cycle. I bought my S2 on sale, AFTER the S3 launched. Why? The difference between the two wasn’t compelling and didn’t justify the price difference. If Apple actually intends new versions of the watch to be must-purchase devices when a new one launches, like the iPhone was several years ago, then they’re way behind the curve on that one. What were the must-have features the S3 has that would drive huge numbers of upgrades from an S2? The biggest difference was wireless capability, hardly something to write home about unless you’re a workout buff. Everyone else always has their phone in their pocket or purse anyway. And wireless carriers are wanting to charge a laughable $10+/month for the privilege.

Seems like you’re admitting that the watch isn’t going to replace the phone, since the watch isn’t going to be able to do everything a person needs it to.

 

[Bacillus]

How often do you think people are going to upgrade their watches? Even Apple’s update cycle for them is longer than the iPhone cycle. I bought my S2 on sale, AFTER the S3 launched. Why? The difference between the two wasn’t compelling and didn’t justify the price difference. If Apple actually intends new versions of the watch to be must-purchase devices when a new one launches, like the iPhone was several years ago, then they’re way behind the curve on that one. What were the must-have features the S3 has that would drive huge numbers of upgrades from an S2? The biggest difference was wireless capability, hardly something to write home about unless you’re a workout buff. Everyone else always has their phone in their pocket or purse anyway. And wireless carriers are wanting to charge a laughable $10+/month for the privilege.

Seems like you’re admitting that the watch isn’t going to replace the phone, since the watch isn’t going to be able to do everything a person needs it to.

I agree. But this whole discussion is such an example of what happens with a giant on global scale where disruptive innovation has become either too risky or mentally impossible.

 

[Larry MacPhee]

Do people seriously believe AirPort “got [Apple] to the top”?

Maybe if you were a little older, you'd understand.

 

[ksnell]

You can set up both AirPlay and TimeMachine on any Synology NAS. That's your best bet for a "Time Capsule" Replacement, although it doesn't solve your "Wifi Router" needs...

Pretty sure Synology uses AFP to make that happen and not SMB though. Doesn't change the fact that more compatibility with industry standards would be better for their customers. The lack of this is starting to push me away from their platforms.

 

[370zulu]

Since the news is official and there is still a slight demand for the latest generation Airport Extreme and Time Capsule, I wonder what a used prices will be like once the new stock is sold out?

 

[mudflap]

We knew it was coming but I'm still bummed about this. I've owned multiple AirPorts every since my first Airport Express plugged directly into the wall and allowed me to stream music to my non-wireless stereo system. I've set up half a dozen friends' homes with Airport Extremes and Expresses. They are solid as a rock. So easy to set up. They really do "just work." And unlike nearly every other router that are ugly as sin, Ariports look great sitting out in the open on your TV console, a shelf, credenza, kitchen counter—wherever.

I'm really going to miss them

 

[Ruggy]

So what do people recommend (that isn't Google WiFi)?

I had problems with my Airport Extreme recently and bought the RT-AC68U.
No problems with set up, not problems of any kind in a month of use.
In terms of range and performance it simply blows the Extreme away.

Edit: People have so far suggested....

• Eero
• NETGEAR Nighthawk
• NETGEAR Orbi
• Asus RT-AC68U
  
• Luma
• AmpliFi HD
  
• Ubiquiti UniFi

 

[citysnaps]

I'd suggest a Ubiquiti AmpliFi.

 

[Tallgrass]

So is it worth buying a time capsule before they're gone if Apple is only going to support it for five years?

I think so. I bought a new Extreme yesterday to replace my old AE (still works) that I've had for 9 years. This news from Apple prompted me to buy a new one while I still could.

 

[DakotaGuy]

For many people, Time Capsule is the skeleton that holds the Apple ecosystem together. It's the keystone that holds up the Apple house. People want an end-to-end Apple experience, and if they are to use Apple's cloud services, they need a reliable, stable, and secure router to handle their needs.

Remove the skeleton from the ecosystem, or the keystone from the building, and you will face severe consequences.

Apple should see the Time Capsule line as a marketing expense. It is the xmas tree that holds up all the Apple devices and service baubles that make Apple look so pretty.

Apple would tell you to replace the Time Capsule by purchasing more iCloud storage.

 

[SactoGuy18]

My Asus RT-AC68U--which dates from 2013!--is still a better router than the AirPort routers. I could right now for just over $200 get the Asus RT-AC88U, a truly technologically superior router.
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And unlike nearly every other router that are ugly as sin, Ariports look great sitting out in the open on your TV console, a shelf, credenza, kitchen counter—wherever.

Fortunately, modern third-party mesh routers like the Netgear Orbi, the Linksys Velop and the TP-Link Deco aren't offensive to the eyes.

 

[Kaibelf]

And then when your 1 cash cow takes a hit, you fold over? Granted Apple has way more reserves than Ford, but Apple might as well stop selling everything other than their iPhones as that earns them the most money? Believe it or not Apple airports was my 2nd purchase after my 1st Apple product the iPod. I just wanted a WiFi router that just worked. It could be reasoned if I wasn’t so impressed with the airport I would’ve never gotten my first mac a Mac mini in 2006 and probably never spent $10’s of thousands on Apple products throughout the last 15 years...

Your argument is a perfect example of the thought process that drives companies into the same pen as Yahoo, GE, Myspace, AOL, Kodak, and Sears. That's great that you were impressed all those years ago. In the meantime, how many more Airports did you buy vs phones and other items, and how much shelf space did Apple ultimately waste on unsold units during that span? I also bought and loved my Airport, and replaced it once. In 12 years. That's not a winning hand for Apple, as they have employees who need to get paid during all those years in the middle.

 

[chriscrowlee]

What do you think Apple is trying to do with the Apple Watch, Apple Music, Airpods and HomePod, if not lock users to the iPhone?

They feel more sticky to me than a Mac, since there’s actually very little integration between an iPhone and Mac compared to the other iOS devices and accessories.

The more time goes by, the more the Mac sticks out of Apple’s product lineup like a sore thumb. I don’t think Apple will drop the entire Mac like anytime soon, but I can see how this uncertainty and neglect can be frustrating to users who have come to rely on their Macs for an integral part of their work.

Mac and iOS go together like peanut butter and jelly. If you have a Mac, it's far more cumbersome to have an Android and iOS... iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, iCloud apps like Notes\Pages, etc... none of that is an even similar experience on Android for a Mac user. You're seriously mentioning airpods and homepod as being sticky? Those are such secondary products to iPad\iPhone\Mac
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Say it louder. They can’t hear you in Cupertino.

I think Mac slipping from #4 to #7 shouts it loud and clear.

I think iPhone X sales what they are shouts it loud and clear.

Sadly I feel like the new windows in Apple Park (Apple's new Campus) may be soundproof.

 

[TheMountainLife]

Marketing a router as a "gigabit router" when it can do just gigabit switching, and 260Mbps routing on Ethernet its just plain unprofessional.

I ran into this issue when I subscribed to 1GB internet 2 years ago. I put the blame on my ISP for barely achieving 40% of what was available. After endless troubleshooting and techs I discovered the TC's WAN wasn't truly 1000. It now just sits bridged to a Linksys and acts as a expensive TM backup.

 

[chapmanm]

Apple has officially ended development on its AirPort line of products, which includes the AirPort Express ($99), the AirPort Extreme ($199), and the AirPort Time Capsule ($299).

"We're discontinuing the Apple AirPort base station products. They will be available through Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers while supplies last," an Apple spokesperson told iMore.

Apple has not updated its AirPort products since 2012 (Express) and 2013 (Extreme and Time Capsule), and in late 2016, Bloomberg said that Apple had stopped development on the AirPort lineup with the AirPort engineers reassigned to other products.

Apple reportedly began shutting down its AirPort unit in early 2016, in an effort to "sharpen" its focus on the "consumer products that generate the bulk of its revenue."

Following news that Apple had shuttered the AirPort unit, the company began selling third-party routers in January of 2018 when it offered the Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System.

Apple's AirPort base stations provided unique benefits that are not available through third-party options like built-in Time Machine backup support in the Time Capsule and AirPlay functionality for the AirPort Express.

While the AirPort line is being discontinued, Apple will be providing service and parts for current generation AirPort Base Stations for the next five years. iMore says Apple also plans to share some knowledge-base articles in the coming weeks to assist customers who are transitioning away from the AirPort Express, Extreme, and Time Capsule.

Apple plans to continue to sell the three AirPort products online and in its retail stores until available supplies are exhausted. No price drops have been implemented at this time.

Update: Apple has shared a new support document offering tips on choosing a Wi-Fi router to use with Apple devices. The company recommends a router that offerrs 802.11ac, dual-band support, WPA2 Personal encryption, and MIMO or MU-MIMO.

Article Link: Apple Officially Discontinues AirPort Wireless Router Lineup [Updated]

I use the airport epress primarily cause i get a digital audio output from airpay, which i connect to my digital audio system. don´t need a wifi router, have that.
so what is out there that i an use instead of the airport express?

thanks

 

[andreiru]

You mean it actually cost something to develop lately? I thought there were no updates in the last how many number of years... I've been using the routers and time capsules from the day I got a mac. They work and I like them, thank you very much!

 

[TsMkLg068426]

So basically every hardware or tech product lasts only 3-4 years? Well might as well bring back VHS or Tube TVs those sure lasted longer. It's BS when it comes to Apple a PC like Dell lasts longer it seems like it's time to get back to Microsoft like the good old days.

 

[lec0rsaire]

I don't like greedy companies that only looks at their own profit and ignoring it's customers.

I'm an experienced IT guy so I know how to install third-party routers but take a look at the customers aged 40-80. Do you think they are going to look for third party accessories and install everything themselves?

HomePod is not going to make Apple any money. I think everyone knew that before it even launched since Siri is the most dumb assistant out there by far. So that works?? Not really.

It’s not only customers 40-80! Even some mid-20s and 30s guys who were not really interested in tech would have a hard time setting up your typical router and properly configuring it with the right kind of security and port forwarding. I’ve helped lots of friends who had problems getting an open NAT on their consoles.

 

[jonblatho]

Maybe if you were a little older, you'd understand.

That’s not an answer.

 

[Neodym]

also, it could very well be that just as apple dropped the parallel interface for printing, and dropped the floppy drive, and dropped the CD drive, etc, it could be that the next thing is really a SIM connected MacBook that doesn't need WiFi.
more and more directly connected devices to an ISP is a reality. maybe apple will do the unthinkable again and drop WiFi out of MacBooks.

Apple was so adverse towards having a SIM option anywhere outside an iPhone or iPad (and AW3 now) for so many years. I don’t see any hint this might change anytime soon.

Besides, reality is also that SIM-based connections are slow and unreliable when compared to a standard landline. Maybe wireless will provide speed and reliability superior to landlines for the majority of potential customers some time in the future, but not in the next couple of years.

What were the must-have features the S3 has that would drive huge numbers of upgrades from an S2? The biggest difference was wireless capability, hardly something to write home about unless you’re a workout buff.

You obviously never experienced an S3. The speed difference is pretty noticeable, as is the louder speaker. Siri speaking makes a real difference. Some people also like the increased Ram. Back is now ceramic on the (cheaper and thus more popular) aluminum version. I’m sure I forgot something.

So the S3 is not a revolution, but a significant improvement worth the money, even if not for everyone.

Everyone else always has their phone in their pocket or purse anyway.

You only start to not having your iPhone with you when you have the choice to do so with an S3. Not a must-have feature, but on occasion very nice, indeed!

Seems like you’re admitting that the watch isn’t going to replace the phone, since the watch isn’t going to be able to do everything a person needs it to.

The watch isn’t intended to do so right now. But it integrates nicely with the ecosystem, e.g. it really starts to make using AirPods so much easier and comfortable.

Apple is on a good track in evolving the Apple Watch and I’m confident AW4 will have some really tempting feats again, even though they might not be so obvious if you only watch the keynote or look at paper specs.
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That’s not an answer.

It’s not about Airport as a product, but Airport as an integral part of an eco system that simply works (or better: worked! As of recently: Not so much). The eco system and the “it simply works” played a big part in the reasons that brought Apple to the top.

 

[steve333]

They kill this, one of their better products, but continue to sell hot garbage like Mac Mini, Homepod, Watch and the outdated, overpriced and unupgradeable Mac Pro?

Calling Mac Mini garbage?
Them's fighting words

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Just more signs that the Mac and home computer equipment in general is slowly being phased out of existence by Apple who clearly thinks that iPads and iPhones are the only real future.... That lame trashcan Mac Pro pretty much told me all I needed to know a few years ago. It's a shame such a great OS has to be hampered by substandard computer hardware offerings for so long now.

 

[vipergts2207]

You obviously never experienced an S3. The speed difference is pretty noticeable, as is the louder speaker. Siri speaking makes a real difference. Some people also like the increased Ram. Back is now ceramic on the (cheaper and thus more popular) aluminum version. I’m sure I forgot something.

So the S3 is not a revolution, but a significant improvement worth the money, even if not for everyone.


You only start to not having your iPhone with you when you have the choice to do so with an S3. Not a must-have feature, but on occasion very nice, indeed!


The watch isn’t intended to do so right now. But it integrates nicely with the ecosystem, e.g. it really starts to make using AirPods so much easier and comfortable.

A louder speaker, ceramic back, processor bump, etc. are all minor changes. Those aren’t anything like early iPhone developments: like the Retina display and front facing camera of the iPhone 4, or the introduction of Siri on the 4s, or the Touch ID and larger screen on the 5 and 5s. You could easily miss those AW upgrades if you weren’t aware of them.

I’m talking about major features, that make people say, ‘oh I need that.’ Sorry, but only hardcore Apple fans care about that minor stuff, and isn’t going to drive large numbers of upgrades from the masses. Like you said, the S3 isn’t a revolution.

Even with an S3 I’d never choose to go without a phone. It’s too easy to bring with you to have a reason to leave it behind.