Apple may revive its AirPort technology in new HomePod and Apple TV

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in Future Apple Hardware edited December 2024

While Apple appears to have no plans to revive its former AirPort routers, the networking know-how that powered them may be returning -- via a new chip that will add similar functionality to the company's home devices like the HomePod mini.

A white AirPort Express box with blue Wi-Fi symbol beside a small, spherical orange smart speaker with mesh pattern.
New HomePod mini (right) and Apple's old AirPort Express (left)



Apple first introduced the AirPort line of residential internet gateways in 1999, and continued to iterate the product line until the final AirPort Extreme router was discontinued in 2018. Since then, fans have called for the company to revive the product, celebrated for its ease of setup and management.

While most third-party routers have gotten increasingly antenna-laden and spider-like, home gateways from the big residential internet providers, such as AT&T, Comcast, Optimum, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Windstream have mostly moved to AirPort-like smooth boxes. These home routers utilize internal antennas, offering whole-home coverage for most single-story homes, with small plug-in signal repeaters for multi-story or larger residences.

According to Bloomberg, Apple will start incorporating its own networking technology starting in 2025. It will be via a single small chip, designed by the company and codenamed Proxima, into its products. Among the first devices to get the chip will be Apple's long-rumored smart-home hub, along with updated versions of the HomePod mini, and Apple TV set-top box.

Apple's networking plans

A typical Comcast/Xfinity home router, widely used in the US and Canada.
A typical Comcast/Xfinity home router, widely used in the US and Canada.



Apple intends to replace the current Broadcom technology it uses for its products with the Proxima chip over the coming years. The chip will handle the technical aspects of cellular and Wi-Fi networking, while the devices use their current built-in antennas.

Proxima will be a boon for Apple on several fronts. It gives the company more control over its networking stack, frees it to incorporate future technologies as they arrive, and will eventually reduce the cost to Apple, which currently pays Broadcom to license the latter's technology.

In the near term, the Proxima chip is likely to be used as a smaller, Apple-controlled network card for receiving Wi-Fi in future Mac, iPhone, and home products like the HomePod mini. In the long-rumored smart home hub control product, however, it could potentially be a wireless access point on its own.

Various renderings of what an Apple home hub -- which might even take over the name "HomePod" -- might look like show it as a device with a high-quality speaker for music, and a modest-sized display for quickly seeing and adjusting home information. It might work like a larger, more versatile version of the iPhone's existing StandBy mode, which can show time, temperature, weather and other widget-type information.

While it would be unlikely to replace the current generation of provider-supplied home routers, such a device could easily function as a repeater, boosting the router's signal to the further reaches of the home invisibly alongside its other duties. This would make having more than one unit in larger residences or vertical structures an attractive option.

We can expect to hear more about Apple's home hub and further push into smart-home products, including a rumored doorbell that could use Face ID to authenticate family members and unlock for them, in mid-2025 at the WWDC event. When any updated or new products will actually arrive, however, would likely be timed for later in 2025 or into 2026.

Apple's original AirPort idea

Apple's previous AirPort hardware lineup, still enjoyed by veteran Apple users. Photo: Apple
Apple's previous AirPort hardware lineup, still enjoyed by veteran Apple users. Photo: Apple



For those who may not be aware of Apple's history with making networking hardware, the AirPort line Apple made through the early 2000s were a significant step forward compared to competing routers of the time. This was largely due to their seamless integration into Apple's software, finally making it possible for ordinary home users to configure and manage the router.

Because of the ease of use and distinctive white plastic look of the products, they sold very well to both consumers and small businesses. Apple was among the first to grasp the concept of a repeater to spread the AirPort signal throughout a property, and a smaller AirPort Express was made that could be used as a mini-router or as a signal repeater from the larger AirPort models.

Apple made new versions of the AirPort line as networking standards evolved, and some of the later models are still in use today. As the rest of the industry caught up and introduced "mesh" networking to extend Wi-Fi range, Apple threw in the towel and abandoned the AirPort product line.

In 2019, Apple announced a collaboration with other router makers to introduce a protocol called HomeKit Secure Routers, alongside HomeKit Secure Video. The former was a certification program that would ensure third-party routers would work well with Apple's secure and private HomeKit standard.

The Linksys AX4200 router included support for Apple's HomeKit technologies. Photo: Linksys
The Linksys AX4200 router included support for Apple's HomeKit technologies.



Sadly, few manufacturers took up Apple's certification offer, and the program quietly died in early 2024. Now, it appears that the Proxima chip will allow Apple to directly control HomeKit compatibility, along with enhancing security and privacy, without having to rely on provider-supplied router manufacturers.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 24
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,331member
    I'd love to see Apple resurrect their networking products. A big problem I see, however, is that Comcast/xfinity charges extra to use your own modem and router by charging for the higher data package while not charging if you use their garbage modem/router. I want to go back to my former city that had its own high-speed fiber network without any ISP to deal with. 
    lolliverwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 24
    rob53 said:
    I'd love to see Apple resurrect their networking products. A big problem I see, however, is that Comcast/xfinity charges extra to use your own modem and router by charging for the higher data package while not charging if you use their garbage modem/router. I want to go back to my former city that had its own high-speed fiber network without any ISP to deal with. 
    In a lot of locales, one's choice of access is limited.
    Where I live in San Francisco, Comcast is the only service available on my block.  MonkeyBrains may work, but I'd have to spend $200 to find out, and they max out around 200Mbs.  Sonic, AT&T and others are available a block or 2 away...
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 24
    mattinozmattinoz Posts: 2,552member
    rob53 said:
    I'd love to see Apple resurrect their networking products. A big problem I see, however, is that Comcast/xfinity charges extra to use your own modem and router by charging for the higher data package while not charging if you use their garbage modem/router. I want to go back to my former city that had its own high-speed fiber network without any ISP to deal with. 
    In a lot of locales, one's choice of access is limited.
    Where I live in San Francisco, Comcast is the only service available on my block.  MonkeyBrains may work, but I'd have to spend $200 to find out, and they max out around 200Mbs.  Sonic, AT&T and others are available a block or 2 away...
    Then it might make more sense if the device uses a version of Apples Cellular modem and has an eSIM so a fall-over service or family bundle service could keep the house connected if all the phones are out. That could let other player just sideline cable operators in monopoly areas and 'encourage' competitive behaviour. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 24
    Speaking as someone who owns the latest or else very recent version of every Apple product known to man, I am still happily using my AirPort Extreme. Speeds are plenty fast, and every inch of my 2,400 sq. ft. home is covered, as are the front and back yards. I have the guest network set up, and am one happy camper.
    JohnDinEUmattinozthtsunman42watto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 24
    The old Airport Time Capsule router was better than the pair of Linksys MX4000 routers I bought earlier this year. The Time Capsule was solid and reliable, whereas the Linksys routers have to be restarted about every 5 days or they becomes sluggish. I'd gladly buy a new Apple router in whatever form they rolled out.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 24
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,304member
    Maybe it's just me, but this article made no sense. It seems strained and bizarre to try and draw a parallel between Airport and the rumored Proxima chip when their key functionalities are different. Airport's primary function was as a router and, in Time Capsule models, included an integrated hard drive for Time Machine backups. Proxima is neither of those things--it's an Apple-designed wifi/bluetooth chip designed to replace the same kind of chip it currently buys from Broadcom. That's it. Separately, Apple is rumored to be developing a modem chip to replace the one it buys from Qualcomm. I have not seen anything related to a combo wifi/bluetooth/modem chip, and it seems that Apple has been having a hard enough time just trying to design a modem chip on its own. 

    I had a final gen model of Airport Time Capsule 2TB, and I practically went into mourning when the hard drive started to fail. I didn't think anything could ever be that good. But when faced with having to replace it, I did, and only wish I had done it sooner. The Asus RT-AX86U was a much better, faster router, and Asus makes automated Time Machine backups a snap. I plugged a Samsung T7 4TB SSD into the Asus, set the T7 as my Time Machine back-up drive, and that was it. Haven't looked back since. 
    Alex_Vwatto_cobra
     0Likes 0Dislikes 2Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 24
    Me and Calvinator are of the same kind. Airport Extremes, two of them, one with a 2 TB HD. Still running smooth. I need fast enough internet to stream 4K and this does the job perfectly. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 24
    I’m still “rocking” 2 airport expresses that I have connected to a couple of older stereo speaker systems so they show up in the airplay menu. They work great!
    dewmewatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 24
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,942member
    It's time for Apple to design and make in-house WiFi and BT chips to use in it's own products including Apple networking routers.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 24
    AppleZuluapplezulu Posts: 2,271member
    It’s funny how the analysts and writers here publish and repeat the codename Proxima for Apple’s WiFi/bluetooth chip without a single thought as to what that name might suggest. 

    If that designation genuinely comes from Apple, it is surely referring to tech that will precisely )and securely) observe and respond appropriately to users’ location within the home. Or is there other tech coming that will benefit from precise proximity data?
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 11 of 24
    rob53 said:
    I'd love to see Apple resurrect their networking products. A big problem I see, however, is that Comcast/xfinity charges extra to use your own modem and router by charging for the higher data package while not charging if you use their garbage modem/router. I want to go back to my former city that had its own high-speed fiber network without any ISP to deal with. 
    Even if you have to use your ISPs router, you don't have to use their WIFI.  The Airport could always be used as a wireless access point as well.  You can put the Airport into "bridge" mode, which allows you to take advantage of the Airport's wireless network.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 12 of 24
    ....

    Sonic, AT&T and others are available a block or 2 away.

    ----

    Sounds like time for some midnight cable management....
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 24
    Speaking as someone who owns the latest or else very recent version of every Apple product known to man, I am still happily using my AirPort Extreme. Speeds are plenty fast, and every inch of my 2,400 sq. ft. home is covered, as are the front and back yards. I have the guest network set up, and am one happy camper.
    ----

        And I'm still using my "last model" Airport Extreme "802.11ac" from ~ 10 years ago. No, it doesn't support WiFi 6 or 7, no, it doesn't support mesh systems, it doesn't have fourteen antennas, and no, the eminently human interface of the Airport Utility isn't as abstruse, convoluted, or insecure as many current offerings' are. It just sits there and makes using my iPhone and iPad Pro pleasant in the house. I have to guess Apple felt they couldn't achieve the same profit margin as they could in most of their hardware products in a more competitive sector. A shame.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 14 of 24
    I would assume all Apple products will connect and decide which one will be the hub and which will be a network extender, similar to how it works today but with Airport hardware. I doubt Apple will ship a dedicated hub product, it would feel like a step backwards.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 15 of 24
    AppleZuluapplezulu Posts: 2,271member
    I would assume all Apple products will connect and decide which one will be the hub and which will be a network extender, similar to how it works today but with Airport hardware. I doubt Apple will ship a dedicated hub product, it would feel like a step backwards.
    Except that Apple Intelligence requires more (and more expensive) processing power than HomePods and AppleTV devices currently provide. Rather than requiring replacement of all that existing hardware with more expensive versions of the same devices just to enable AI access, they can sell a new AI-capable hub that securely handles AI-processing in-home for all the other connected devices without requiring them to be AI-capable themselves. 

    Doing it the other way -expecting users to spend thousands to replace all their HomePods and AppleTVs- would mire HomeKit and Apple Home in low-adoption rates for years, which would be the real setback. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 16 of 24
    Time capsule with airport was a pretty cool idea. Had one years ago, but now just do a manual Time Machine backup occasionally to a third party HD and have 2TB of iCloud. Our current Orbi threaded router is rock solid, lightning fast and came free from my fibre provider. I find Apple consumer products are really poor on the networking connectivity side TBH. Settings are confusing, individual family member user profile implementation needs a massive upgrade and our Apple TV 4K can be a real pain in the neck. It’s all working ok at the moment touch wood but couldn’t say how many hours I’ve wasted trying to keep TV OS running smoothly. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 24
    These Apple rumors are getting better and better. First Apple HomeKit cameras now router/repeaters.

    Love, Love, Love it.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 18 of 24
    AppleZulu said:
    I would assume all Apple products will connect and decide which one will be the hub and which will be a network extender, similar to how it works today but with Airport hardware. I doubt Apple will ship a dedicated hub product, it would feel like a step backwards.
    Except that Apple Intelligence requires more (and more expensive) processing power than HomePods and AppleTV devices currently provide. Rather than requiring replacement of all that existing hardware with more expensive versions of the same devices just to enable AI access, they can sell a new AI-capable hub that securely handles AI-processing in-home for all the other connected devices without requiring them to be AI-capable themselves. 

    Doing it the other way -expecting users to spend thousands to replace all their HomePods and AppleTVs- would mire HomeKit and Apple Home in low-adoption rates for years, which would be the real setback. 
    How about if they replace just one, like an ATV and that can act as the new hub?
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 19 of 24
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,867member
    Bringing HomePods and Apple TVs into the mix would only make sense to me if Apple was building some sort of WiFi mesh system. Amazon’s 5th Gen Echo Dots, 4th Gen Echos, and Echo Pops can already serve as mesh nodes on an eero mesh WiFi system. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 20 of 24
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,304member
    omasou said:
    These Apple rumors are getting better and better. First Apple HomeKit cameras now router/repeaters.

    Love, Love, Love it.
    Except this isn't even a rumor. Literally NO ONE other than this writer is suggesting that Apple is even considering getting back into the router business. The widely circulating rumor is that Apple is designing its own wifi/bluetooth chip to replace the one it currently buys from Broadcom. Then this writer made the baseless leap into suggesting a resurrection of Airport, when one has nothing to do with the other. It's like suggesting that Apple is resurrecting LaserWriter because it will have its own wifi/bluetooth chip to put in it. Yeah, no.

    Listen: Apple left the Airport business at a time when it could be argued that it had the best-in-class product for Apple users. In terms of design, functionality, performance and ease-of-use, the Airport Extreme Time Capsule was incredible. And STILL Apple left the business for what you have to assume were very good business reasons--my assumption would be insufficient growth and profitability, but that's just a guess. I don't know what would justify getting back into the business again when having the best product wasn't enough. 
    dewmewatto_cobramuthuk_vanalingamtht
     3Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
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