Is Your Airport Express Getting Long In The Tooth?

The AirPort Express is a discontinued Wi-Fi base station product from Apple Inc. that was introduced in 2004. There are three generations of the device: the first was produced from 2004 to 2008, the second from 2008 to 2012, and the third from 2012 to 2018. The AirPort Express was the first AirPlay device to receive streamed audio from a computer running iTunes on the local network. While Apple discontinued its wireless routers in 2018, it continued to provide limited support for later models as of 2021.

The first version of the AirPort Express was introduced in 2004

The AirPort Express is a discontinued Wi-Fi base station product from Apple Inc. The first version (M9470LL/A, model A1084) was introduced by Apple on July 7, 2004. It was a super slimmed-down low-end version of the AirPort Extreme that only received two updates after its initial launch, first in 2008 and again in 2012. The first two generations looked like a MacBook power adapter with a single Ethernet port for connecting the adapter to the internet, a USB port to network connect a printer, and an aux port for AirTunes, the precursor of AirPlay.

The original Airport Express used the 802.11g specification and was much smaller than the full-sized AirPort Base Station. It held the title for the smallest AirPort router in existence. The first version included an analog-optical audio mini-jack output, a USB port for remote printing, and one Ethernet port. The USB port could also be used to charge the first-generation iPod Shuffle, although this was not supported by Apple. The main processor of the 802.11g AirPort Express was a Broadcom BCM4712KFB wireless networking chipset, which incorporated a 200 MHz MIPS processor. The audio was handled by a Texas Instruments Burr-Brown PCM2705 16-bit digital-to-analog converter.

The AirPort Express was the first AirPlay device to receive streamed audio from a computer running iTunes on the local network. It also supports AirTunes, which allows audio to be streamed over a wireless network to the AirPort Express, which then outputs the audio through its audio-out to stereos. Now called AirPlay, the functionality requires iTunes 4.6, or newer.

The AirPort Express can also be used to easily expand wireless coverage via WDS-bridging. Support was later added for the draft specification of the 802.11n protocol.

AirPort Express can be used as a wireless access point when connected to an Ethernet network

The AirPort Express is a discontinued Wi-Fi base station product from Apple Inc. It can be used as a wireless access point when connected to an Ethernet network. The latest model allows up to 50 networked users. It can be used as an Ethernet-to-wireless bridge under certain wireless configurations. It can be used to extend the range of a network, including functioning as a printer and audio server.

The AirPort Express can be used to extend the Wi-Fi of another non-Apple access point. The AirPort Express needs to be connected to Ethernet and the main non-Apple router should be set to share a public IP address. When setting up the Express, set up its network name and password to be the same as the network used by the non-Apple router. The network mode needs to be "Create a wireless network", it should "Connect Using Ethernet", and Connection Sharing needs to be "Off (Bridge mode).".

The AirPort Express can also be used to extend the range of an existing Wi-Fi network. To do this, place the AirPort Express in range of the primary base station and near the area where you want your wireless connection. Then, use the AirPort Utility app on your iOS device or Mac to set up the AirPort Express.

The first version of the AirPort Express (model A1084) was introduced by Apple on July 7, 2004. It included an analog-optical audio mini-jack output, a USB port for remote printing, and one Ethernet port. An updated version (model A1264) supporting the faster 802.11 Draft-N draft specification was introduced in March 2008. This version includes an 802.11a/n (5 GHz) mode, which allows adding Draft-N to an existing 802.11b/g network without disrupting existing connections. Up to 10 wireless units can connect to this AirPort Express. In 2012, Apple introduced a redesigned model with a new square form factor and two Ethernet ports.

Apple discontinued wireless router development in 2016/2018

Apple Inc. has discontinued wireless router development. In 2016, Apple disbanded its wireless router division, dispersing engineers to other product development groups within the company. This move was an effort to "'sharpen' the company's focus on consumer products that generate the most revenue.

In 2018, Apple formally discontinued its wireless router products, exiting the router market. These products included the AirPort Express, the AirPort Extreme, and the AirPort Time Capsule. Apple has not updated these products since 2012 (Express) and 2013 (Extreme and Time Capsule).

The AirPort Express is a Wi-Fi base station product that is part of the AirPort product line. It is more compact and simpler than the AirPort Extreme, but it offers audio output capability that the Extreme lacks. The AirPort Express was the first AirPlay device to receive streamed audio from a computer running iTunes on the local network.

The 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 latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards.

The AirPort Time Capsule is a version of the AirPort Extreme system with a built-in network-accessible hard drive.

While Apple has discontinued its wireless router products, as of 2021, it continues to provide limited support for later models.

AirPort Express can be used to extend the range of a network

The AirPort Express is a discontinued Wi-Fi base station product from Apple Inc. It can be used to extend the range of a network, including functioning as a printer and audio server. The latest model allows up to 50 networked users.

To extend the range of a network, the AirPort Express must be placed within range of the primary base station, such as an AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule. It can also be used to extend the range of another AirPort Express. The AirPort Express should be placed near the area where you want your wireless connection.

For example, if you have a wireless network in your home and want to extend its range, you can use an AirPort Express to do so. You can place the AirPort Express in range of your primary base station and near the area where you want your wireless connection to reach.

Additionally, the AirPort Express can be used to extend the Wi-Fi of another non-Apple access point. This can be done by connecting the AirPort Express to Ethernet and setting up its network name and password to match the non-Apple router's network. The network mode should be set to "Create a wireless network," the connection type should be set to "Ethernet," and Connection Sharing should be turned off (Bridge mode).

It's important to note that the AirPort Express may not be able to extend the range of just any router. In some cases, it may only work with another Apple router.

AirPort Express was the first AirPlay device to receive streamed audio from a computer running iTunes

The AirPort Express was a Wi-Fi base station product from Apple Inc. that has since been discontinued. It was first introduced on July 7, 2004, and was the first AirPlay device to receive streamed audio from a computer running iTunes on the local network.

The AirPort Express was part of the AirPort product line and was more compact than the AirPort Extreme, another Apple Wi-Fi base station. Despite its smaller size, the AirPort Express offered audio output capability, which the AirPort Extreme lacked.

The AirPort Express used an audio connector that combined a 3.5 mm minijack socket and a mini-TOSLINK optical digital transmitter, allowing connection to an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) or amplifier with an internal DAC. This enabled users to stream audio from iTunes on their computer to a connected stereo system or powered speakers wirelessly.

In addition to its audio capabilities, the AirPort Express could also function as a wireless access point when connected to an Ethernet network. It could be used to extend the range of a network and support up to 50 networked users.

Over the years, Apple released updated versions of the AirPort Express, including a model introduced in March 2008 that supported the faster 802.11 Draft-N specification and another model introduced in June 2012 with two Ethernet ports. However, in April 2018, Apple announced the discontinuation of its AirPort line, including the AirPort Express. Despite this, the AirPort Express continues to be a popular device, with millions of units still in use.

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