In his latest “Power On” newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple isn’t working on its own wireless router even though it has an in-house built Wi-Fi chip.
After I reported that Apple is preparing its first major in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth component, there was immediate speculation that the company would resurrect its work on home Wi-Fi routers,” he writes. “While I personally believe that would be great, let me be clear: Apple is not working on a new AirPort wireless router.”
He adds that there is an important caveat, however. Apple’s Proxima chip is so sophisticated that it could theoretically turn a home device like an Apple TV box or HomePod into a wireless access point.
“Google has released products like this before, including a mixed Wi-Fi router and smart speaker,” Gurman says. “If Apple goes down this road, my belief is the wireless features wouldn’t be the main selling point of the devices.
However, as I’ve written many times, Apple definitely should consider reviving its AirPort line-up.
History of the AirPort line-up
In 2016, Apple discontinued the AirPort Express, the AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule line of wireless router/backup hardware. I think it ranks as one of the top two dumb ideas the tech giant made in discontinuing products. (The other is when it quit making semi-affordable Mac displays. Thankfully, it’s reversed course on that.)
In November 2016 Bloomberg reported that this was a move to try to sharpen the company’s focus on consumer products that generate the bulk of its revenue. The AirPort Express, the AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule, which cost US$99, $199, and $299, respectively, made up a small slice of Apple’s revenue and were part of Apple’s “other products” category on its financial statements.
What I want to see
I want to see a WiFi 6 compatible AirPort mesh networking system akin to that of the Eero and Orbi with a base station that doubles as a server hub for Apple’s HomeKit to make smart home devices easy to set up and use.
An Intego blog by Kirk McElhearn from June 15, 2020, perfectly sums up my feelings (just think 6E for the Wi-Fi part):
A mesh wi-fi system could form part of a broader Apple home network. Imagine if the HomePod, Apple TV, or future Apple in-home devices, acted as a satellite for a wi-fi access point, as well as being a HomeKit hub; this could get more people to buy these media devices, knowing that they would serve more than one purpose.
In addition, the Time Capsule, an AirPort base station with a built-in hard drive, was a great way to ensure that people backed up their Macs. It meant that both desktop Macs and laptops could be automatically backed up without needed to connect an external hard drive. This was not without its quirks, but the technology was seamless. Apple could have extended this backup to iOS devices as well, allowing local backups instead of or in addition to iCloud backups.
Beyond these two elements, it’s Apple’s abdication of the core technology we use to access content on our devices at home that seems surprising.
With all the concerns about privacy and the exploitation of user data, this is an area where Apple could have taken a stance. They could have built their AirPort devices into a mesh wi-fi system, perhaps adding that capability to the HomePod as well, which could give more value to that device. Perhaps Apple has some plans for this in the future, but for now, Amazon has a huge advantage in the smart home market.
Discontinuing the AirPort line-up was, like Apple’s decision years ago, to discontinue its own line of external monitors is a mistake. With the Apple Studio Display and Pro Display XDR, the tech giant once again launched its own line of displays. Let’s hope history repeats itself with the AirPort line of products.
This info from Gurman is from the free edition of “Power On”. If you like it, consider subscribing to Bloomberg.com—you’ll receive the newsletter earlier and get exclusive access to a Q&A section.
