Back in the day, Apple made its own Wi-Fi routers under the AirPort brand. There were three models: AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule (which included built-in storage for Mac backups).
However, Apple discontinued the AirPort line in 2018, leaving many fans disappointed.
Now, rumors suggest Apple might be making a comeback in the Wi-Fi world—just in a different way. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is expected to debut in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models this year.
This chip is reportedly so advanced that, in theory, it could turn these devices into wireless access points (basically, mini Wi-Fi routers). However, there’s no confirmation yet that Apple will actually do this, so don’t get too excited just yet.
Apple is also rumored to be expanding its smart home lineup. There’s talk of a new smart home hub launching soon, along with a HomeKit-enabled security camera. If future Apple TV and HomePod models could double as Wi-Fi routers, it would make Apple’s smart home ecosystem even stronger.
As for Wi-Fi speeds, Apple’s new chip will support Wi-Fi 6E at the least, or might even support Wi-Fi 7. Whether or not Apple actually turns these devices into AirPort replacements, it’s clear they’re working on some serious networking tech.
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