Ruth Haines
Apple's decision to discontinue its AirPort product line came as a surprise to many, with some deeming it a dumb discontinuation. The AirPort line included the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule, which offered unique and superior features to competing routers. Apple's exit from the wireless router business can be attributed to various factors, including the disbandment of the team responsible for its wireless routers, the lack of hardware revisions, and the rising popularity of mesh Wi-Fi systems. While Apple has not provided an official reason for discontinuing AirPort, there are speculations that it could be due to economic viability and the challenge of competing with free WiFi routers provided by ISPs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2018 |
| Month | April |
| Date | 26 |
| Product Line | AirPort |
| Product Line Status | Discontinued |
| Product Line Status Reason | AirPort offerings have been slowly rendered obsolete by the rising popularity of mesh Wi-Fi systems like Eero, Google Wifi, and the Linksys Velop |
| AirPort Products | AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and Time Capsule |
| AirPort Products Status | Discontinued |
| AirPort Products Status Reason | Apple is exiting the wireless router business |
| AirPort Products Status Reason | Apple disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers |
| AirPort Products Status Reason | Apple is conceding the market to ISP-supplied routers and other third-party solutions |
| AirPort Products Status Reason | Apple needed to make a hard decision to update or kill the AirPort line |
| AirPort Products Status Effects | AirPlay 2 support would be a nice perk for existing AirPort Express users, but shipping a major new feature for a recently discontinued product would be odd |
| AirPort Products Status Effects | iCloud is almost a full backup solution, but there are still limitations on backing up macOS to iCloud |
| AirPort Products Status Effects | Apple could always choose to re-enter the market if it decides it can make a meaningful impact |
| AirPort Products Status Effects | Apple will continue to offer bug fixes and security patches for the devices |
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What You'll Learn
- Apple disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers in 2016
- Apple is selling off its remaining AirPort inventory
- Apple AirPort products offered unique and superior features
- Apple AirPort could have been a Home Hub for people without Apple TV
- Apple AirPort discontinuation: corporate disinterest vs. lack of profitability
Apple disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers in 2016
Apple's decision to discontinue its AirPort wireless router product line was officially announced in 2018, but it wasn't a surprise to many. Back in 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded the team responsible for developing its wireless routers, and the company was spotted selling third-party routers. This move by Apple was likely influenced by the growing popularity of mesh Wi-Fi systems offered by competitors like Eero, Google Wifi, and Linksys Velop, which provided a more comprehensive solution for larger homes.
The AirPort product line included the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. While some users were disappointed by the discontinuation, others recognized the economic argument that most people receive a free Wi-Fi router from their internet service provider (ISP), reducing the demand for separate purchases of routers, especially those from Apple.
Despite the economic rationale, some Apple enthusiasts believed that the company should have continued to support its loyal customers who wanted an end-to-end Apple setup. Additionally, AirPort products offered unique features like the AirPort Utility app, which made setting up and managing routers simpler than most third-party routers. The AirPort Express also allowed users to turn any stereo into an AirPlay speaker and share USB printers across the network.
The discontinuation of the AirPort line added uncertainty to the brief appearance of AirPlay 2 support in iOS 11.4 beta. While Apple has addressed the backup problem with iCloud solutions, there are still limitations, particularly with backing up elements of macOS.
While Apple has exited the wireless router business, it has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the space in the future if it can find a meaningful way to innovate in the router market.
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Apple is selling off its remaining AirPort inventory
Apple's decision to discontinue its AirPort product line was not entirely unexpected. Back in 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers, and the company started selling third-party routers. Apple officially announced its exit from the wireless router business in 2018, discontinuing the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule.
While the news disappointed Apple router fans, the end of the AirPort line made sense from an economic standpoint. Most people receive a free WiFi router from their internet service provider (ISP), reducing the demand for separate routers. Apple routers, in particular, were likely a niche product with a small customer base, impacting their profitability.
Despite the business rationale, some Apple customers lamented the discontinuation of AirPort products. They argued that Apple routers offered unique and superior features, such as the AirPort Utility app, which made setting up and managing routers easier than third-party alternatives. AirPort products also integrated well with other Apple devices and services, supporting the company's ecosystem. Moreover, in an age of smart homes, a secure router is essential, and Apple firmware provided that assurance.
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Apple AirPort products offered unique and superior features
Apple's decision to discontinue its AirPort products came as no surprise to some, as Bloomberg reported in 2016 that the company had disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers. However, Apple's AirPort products did offer some unique and superior features compared to competing routers.
The AirPort Express allowed users to turn any stereo into an AirPlay speaker with line-in, and USB printers could be shared across the network and accessed from Macs. Apple's AirPort Utility app, along with iOS Wi-Fi Settings integration, made setting up and managing AirPort routers simpler than most third-party routers with clunky apps.
In an age where security is a growing concern, Apple firmware provided confidence in the security of its routers. This was especially important in the age of smart homes, where a rogue router could potentially access everything from a user's heating system to their front door lock.
Apple's AirPort products were also well-positioned to offer a mesh WiFi system, which is becoming increasingly popular for larger homes and even smaller ones with long-and-thin layouts.
While Apple's decision to discontinue AirPort products may have been influenced by the small number of people purchasing separate routers, the products offered unique features and were a critical part of people's home networks, tying into Apple's messaging about privacy and ease of use.
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Apple AirPort could have been a Home Hub for people without Apple TV
Apple's decision to discontinue its AirPort product line in 2018 was not a surprise. Two years prior, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers and had started selling third-party ones. While it was expected, many believe that it was the wrong decision.
Apple was one of the first companies to recognize that accessing the Internet had become the primary reason for a consumer to buy a personal computer. The company is also known for its ecosystem, where devices and services work together seamlessly. Routers, though not a sexy product, were part of that end-to-end Apple experience.
Apple's AirPort could have easily tied into Apple's messaging about privacy and included privacy features that are easy to activate and use. It could have also acted as a Home Hub for people who don't have an Apple TV or other products. In an age when security is a concern for everyone, a no-brand router with unknown firmware is a risk, especially in the age of smart homes. With Apple firmware, users can be confident it's secure.
Apple is reportedly aiming to make a bigger push into smart home products, with the company rumored to be planning an all-new smart home hub for release. Apple is also said to be planning a HomeKit-enabled smart home camera that can connect to the hub, and together the products could serve as a home security system. Apple's AirPort base station Wi-Fi routers, which were prevalent in the 2000s and 2010s, could return as part of the company's HomePod and Apple TV line.
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Apple AirPort discontinuation: corporate disinterest vs. lack of profitability
Apple's decision to discontinue its AirPort product line was likely due to a combination of corporate disinterest and a lack of profitability.
In 2018, Apple officially announced that it was discontinuing its AirPort base station products, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. While this decision came as a surprise to some, there were earlier indications that Apple was moving away from the wireless router business. As early as 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers, and the company started selling third-party routers in its stores.
One reason for Apple's decision to discontinue AirPort may be corporate disinterest. Apple may have decided to focus its resources and attention on other products and services that were more aligned with its strategic priorities and offered greater growth potential. Additionally, the wireless router market is highly competitive, with the rising popularity of mesh Wi-Fi systems from companies like Eero, Google Wifi, and Linksys. Apple's AirPort products had not seen significant hardware revisions or updates in recent years, and the company may have felt that it could not compete effectively in this market.
However, some customers and industry observers have questioned Apple's decision, citing the unique features and benefits of AirPort products. For example, AirPort routers offered superior security and privacy features compared to no-brand routers, which are increasingly important in the age of smart homes and the Internet of Things. Additionally, AirPort Express units could be used with AirPlay 2 to bring capabilities to existing HiFi systems, and Apple's combination of AirPort products could have been positioned as a mesh WiFi system for larger homes. These features could have been attractive to customers seeking an end-to-end Apple ecosystem experience.
While Apple may have decided that the AirPort product line was not sufficiently profitable, some argue that the company should have considered the needs of its most loyal and profitable customers who value an end-to-end Apple setup. By discontinuing AirPort, Apple is conceding the market to ISP-supplied routers and other third-party solutions, potentially missing out on opportunities to innovate and create killer products in the wireless router space.
In conclusion, Apple's decision to discontinue AirPort likely resulted from a combination of corporate disinterest in the wireless router market and a perception of insufficient profitability. However, this decision may have overlooked the unique features and benefits of AirPort products within the broader Apple ecosystem, as well as the needs of loyal customers seeking an integrated Apple experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Apple's AirPort product line was discontinued in 2018, with the company exiting the wireless router business.
Yes, this decision was expected. In 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded the team responsible for its wireless routers and started selling third-party routers.
Apple did not provide an official reason for discontinuing AirPort. However, some speculate that it was due to the rising popularity of mesh Wi-Fi systems, the premium price of AirPort products, and the lack of hardware revisions.
Apple now sells third-party mesh Wi-Fi routers, such as the Linksys Velop, which offer improved Wi-Fi coverage for larger homes.
Apple has stated that it will continue to offer bug fixes and security patches for AirPort devices, and customers can expect these products to be supported for years to come, although not indefinitely.
