My time capsule just died a few weeks ago...I think the drive finally choked. Bummer, I LOVED the tech, and yes, hope Apple brings a successor to the market one day.
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Apple's Mystery 'Network Adapter' Found in FCC Filing Likely for Internal Use Only
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That certainly contradicts my experience quite a lot, I've setup a few networks with their gear (AC Minis back to a DMP, and few cameras) and it works flawlessly.
Granted that's been done over the past couple of years, with new kit, I can't comment on anything from before then!
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I sold my M1 Mini. Thanks for reminding me to update my signature.
I was chatting about the idea of a new Apple router a while back.
With an always-on device with an Ax or Mx level processor in it there's a whole lot of options.
There's a lot Apple could add on top of the basic router/access point functionality. Imagine the ability to leverage UWB to enhance beam forming and mesh node selection.
Imagine the router acting as a local web caching proxy
Malware/scam detection for all devices on the network, realtime.
Ability to run automation scripts as devices join/leave/move around the home.
A local, non-carrier locked microcell.
That's just a few of the things I'd come up with. Never mind the stuff my limited ability can't imagine.
With an always-on device with an Ax or Mx level processor in it there's a whole lot of options.
There's a lot Apple could add on top of the basic router/access point functionality. Imagine the ability to leverage UWB to enhance beam forming and mesh node selection.
Imagine the router acting as a local web caching proxy
Malware/scam detection for all devices on the network, realtime.
Ability to run automation scripts as devices join/leave/move around the home.
A local, non-carrier locked microcell.
That's just a few of the things I'd come up with. Never mind the stuff my limited ability can't imagine.
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Except the universal love of airport in this very thread would seem to go against this assertion.
I want a new Apple Airport Extreme too. Such a great device!
AirPort Extreme was good back in the day, and still okay performance wise. They are however wildly outdated and you are putting your entire network and devices connected at risk by still using them. For the Aiport Extreme AC-version, latest update was 7.9.1 released in early 2019. That's three years ago. Please, get a newer router, for example Asus AX68 or AX86, or if you want to save money an Asus AC-series. They are are still actively updated and maintained.
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"Apple people" would trip over each other for anything with an Apple logo on it. No one has really given a reason why a new AirPort device would be better than anything already on the market. Just because it has an Apple logo on it?
Aha no problem! 😂I sold my M1 Mini. Thanks for reminding me to update my signature.
I think the issues are long resolved, given the articles date back more to early 2021 and late 2020! We've got a few M1 minis in the office and as far as I know, nobody has reported any issues. They were purchased late last year, so could have missed the early snagging issues.
Given the specs it’s likely a Point of Sale device or badge access reader.
FCC ID BCGA2657 Network Adapter by Apple Inc.
FCC ID application submitted by Apple Inc. for Network Adapter for FCC ID BCGA2657. Approved Frequencies, User Manuals, Photos, and Wireless Reports.fccid.io
I seem to recall Apple designed one many years ago for their spaceship campus. It’s likely an upgraded access reader for their campus.
FCC ID BCGA1846 Wireless Device by Apple Inc.
FCC ID application submitted by Apple Inc. for Wireless Device for FCC ID BCGA1846. Approved Frequencies, User Manuals, Photos, and Wireless Reports.
Apple will likely never enter the time capsule or airport market again. It’s a constantly changing technology, with a huge customer support expense, on a low margin appliance.
LOL wifi technology changing at every 5-6 years in semiconductor industry is not constant changing. IKEA changes their furniture designs more frequent than that
So, you haven't tried new routers since 2013? A lot has changed since 2013. For one, the AirPort Extreme maxes out at about 300-400Mbps. I suppose if you have very basic needs you can keep rocking those relics. I have Gigabit internet service and need something modern and secure.
After being a holdout on Apple routers I moved on to a Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro and have never looked back. Way better interface, tons of options, and an incredible dashboard showing what is going on. Native support for multiple indoor and outdoor AP's and cameras, access control for doors, and VoIP and you have something that far exceeds anything Apple has or will put out. The only missing item is TimeCapsule functionality, but I have a hard drive I attach periodically for backups.
That "love" is not based on any rational superiority of Apple's routers. They were merely "fine" when released, with a few specific features that were attractive in certain niches, but were incredibly basic at network management, speed, and link negotiation. In 2022? They're completely outclassed by even a $49 T-Link.
That doesn't mean people can't use whatever they want to use for whatever reason they want to use it, but I would argue choosing a router based on brand loyalty is... unwise. Networking is important and complex. My sense in reading threads like this is few people have made an effort to really understand how important a piece of equipment their router is.
I'm betting this is to support HomeKit devices to further extend Apple's support for smart home devices like thermostats and cameras as well as EOT device. They have the software to make a big push in this space, what's lacking is easy connectivity to 3rd party devices as well as Apple-branded devices. I believe this will be coming in 2022 and expand beyond.
Agreed. It's crazy how Apple let go of that market when they in fact pioneered the wireless revolution back in the airport days.
True, but it's still sad given they pushed their Macs back in the day as wireless devices when all other players wanted you to keep hauling Ethernet/Phone cables
For odd reasons, I link from my house to another house beyond normal wifi distance away.
I got a TP-Link outdoor wifi extender (which is directional). One end is inside a brick garage, the other inside a double-glazed window. And I use a simple TP-Link wifi extender inside my modest size house (and a TP-Link switch for wired use). That covers the entire house and both front and back gardens.
For my simple purposes, it just works. The only problem I have is when they empty the bins - they stop the lorry right between the two ends so it is interrupted for a few minutes. Even a power outage only has the obvious effect - within a very short time after it simply comes back working.
Reliability is excellent. Simplicity is excellent. Price for the performance is pretty good. And it doesn't even use much power.
(I first started being aware of TP-Link at work where they used to buy their wifi cards for various PCs. Never seemed to be a problem whereas several other makes were relatively unreliable or had set-up issues.)
Some of us have never had a Bluetooth issue with our Mac minis. Me.
Got mine, plugged it in, used it. Never had an issue with keyboard, mouse, or anything else. It sees all the Bluetooth devices I'd expect it to see. And if I use any, then it works.
Airport express was the best thing ever.
It might not have had the best specs or range. But it was easy to set up in a time when routers were openly hostile to mere consumers. And it had that great feature of letting you airplay your phone or computer to whatever you plugged the audio jack into.
I had mine connected to an old school stereo with huge JBL speakers.
It might not have had the best specs or range. But it was easy to set up in a time when routers were openly hostile to mere consumers. And it had that great feature of letting you airplay your phone or computer to whatever you plugged the audio jack into.
I had mine connected to an old school stereo with huge JBL speakers.
After my Time Capsule died, I moved to Eero, and it does feel like an Apple product, except I'd prefer Apple release new hardware, particularly because of the privacy concerns and Amazon owning Eero.
Eeros are expensive, too, so it's not like there isn't margin there for Apple.
I’m actually nearly floored that they discontinued their router business, given the need for a decent HomeKit hub. Their routers were excellent products. Stellar.
Apple’s routers were excellent. 99% of users didn’t need the over-complexity and the hundreds of options available in some of the models available today. Apple’s functionality including the UI were outstanding. The most reliable devices I have ever used and I have experience with them all.
True that a router made in 2014 would be "outclassed" 8 years later. My more specific point would be that, at the very least anecdotally, that these were popular and have many people that are fans to this day. I trust that apple stopped making routers because it made business sense to them in the past, but if they were to get back into researching and developing them in house, they could put together a strong product.
You are right. Networking is important and complex. Even more reason to have an option that, for many consumers and even "prosumers", just works.