Apple's Airport Extreme: Is It Still In Production?

Apple's AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. It was first introduced in 2003 and went through several upgrades and design changes before being discontinued in 2018. Apple stopped developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016 but continued limited hardware and software support. The AirPort Extreme was known for its ease of use and sleek design, but Apple chose to exit the router market as it was no longer a core focus for the company.

Apple discontinued the AirPort Extreme in 2018

The AirPort Extreme first launched in 2003 and was last updated in 2013. In 2016, Apple disbanded the wireless router team that developed the AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme router. Two years later, in 2018, Apple formally discontinued both products, exiting the router market.

Apple's decision to leave the wireless router market was likely due to the advent of mesh networking, which allows for better and more robust coverage for larger and more irregular areas. Instead of releasing a mesh networking AirPort, Apple chose to offer the Linksys Velop at its retail stores.

While Apple no longer makes the AirPort Extreme, the company continued to sell its remaining inventory of AirPort products through its website, retail stores, and authorized resellers while supplies lasted. Apple also committed to supporting customers with service and parts for current-generation AirPort Base Stations for the next five years.

The AirPort Extreme was a wireless router

The name "AirPort Extreme" originally referred to any of Apple's AirPort products that implemented the 802.11g Wi-Fi standard, differentiating it from earlier devices that ran the slower 802.11a and b standards. The first AirPort Extreme was announced in 2003 and featured 802.11g wireless technology. Over the years, the AirPort Extreme went through several iterations, adding support for newer and faster Wi-Fi standards like 802.11n and 802.11ac.

In 2013, the AirPort Extreme received a major upgrade, changing its physical structure and adding more antennas. This was also the last time the AirPort Base Station line was updated. In 2016, Apple disbanded the wireless router team responsible for developing the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule router.

Finally, in 2018, Apple formally discontinued the AirPort Extreme, exiting the wireless router market. While Apple no longer makes the AirPort Extreme, it continues to provide limited hardware and software support for existing devices.

Apple disbanded the wireless router team in 2016

Apple Inc. discontinued its wireless router division in 2016, disbanding the team that developed the AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme router. This move was intended to sharpen the company's focus on consumer products that generate the majority of its revenue. Apple had not updated its AirPort line of Wi-Fi routers since 2013, and the decision to exit the wireless router market was seen as unusual for the company.

The AirPort Extreme was a line of residential gateways that combined the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, with additional features. It was first introduced in 2003 and went through several upgrades and physical form changes before the wireless router team was disbanded in 2016. The latest model, the 6th generation, supported 802.11ac networking.

The AirPort Time Capsule was a variant of the AirPort Extreme with a built-in hard drive for automated backups. It was introduced in 2008 and also went through several updates before being discontinued.

In 2018, Apple formally discontinued the AirPort product line, including the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. The remaining inventory was sold off, and Apple began retailing routers from other companies in its stores. Apple continues to provide limited hardware and software support for the AirPort Extreme as of 2023.

The AirPort Extreme supported 802.11ac networking

Apple's AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, as well as other functions. The AirPort Extreme supported 802.11ac networking, which is a wireless networking standard that provides faster data transfer speeds and improved range compared to previous standards.

The support for 802.11ac networking was introduced with the 6th generation AirPort Extreme, which was released in 2013. This update also changed the physical structure of the device, making it taller than it was wide, and added more antennas. The 802.11ac standard allowed for a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s, which is nearly three times faster than the previous 802.11n standard.

In addition to 802.11ac networking, the 6th generation AirPort Extreme also supported older standards such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. This ensured compatibility with a wide range of devices, including Mac computers, iOS devices, Apple TV, and Windows-based PCs.

The AirPort Extreme 802.11ac model also introduced support for Time Machine backups using an external USB hard drive connected to the AirPort Extreme. This provided a convenient way for users to back up their data wirelessly.

The AirPort Extreme with 802.11ac networking offered a range of features, including a Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting to a modem, three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for connecting computers or network devices, and a USB 2.0 port for connecting a printer or hard drive. It also supported simultaneous dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections, providing improved performance and compatibility with a variety of devices.

While Apple discontinued its AirPort Extreme line in 2018, the 802.11ac model remains a powerful and feature-rich option for those seeking a reliable and fast wireless networking solution.

The AirPort Extreme was first announced in 2003

The first AirPort Extreme was unveiled at the MacWorld expo in San Francisco on January 7, 2003. At the time, the gateway part of this product line was known as the AirPort Extreme Base Station. The original model featured a flying saucer form factor, with a round, plastic housing similar to the original AirPort Base Station.

The AirPort Extreme has gone through several iterations since its debut in 2003, with Apple making various upgrades to its antenna, wireless output power, physical structure, and supported Wi-Fi standards. In early 2009, Apple dropped the "Base Station" naming and began referring to the product simply as AirPort Extreme. This change coincided with the introduction of the even faster Draft-N standards.

Over the years, Apple continued to improve the AirPort Extreme, releasing new generations in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013. The 2013 update brought significant changes, including a new vertical form factor, support for 802.11ac networking, and the addition of more antennas.

However, Apple discontinued its AirPort product line in 2018, exiting the wireless router market. Despite this, Apple continues to provide limited hardware and software support for the AirPort Extreme.

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