Apple issues AirPort Express firmware update adding support for AirPlay 2
Apple has quietly released a firmware update to the now-discontinued AirPort Express product line, introducing support for AirPlay 2 to the router ahead of the expected public release of iOS 12 this fall.
The Apple Support site advises "firmware update 7.8 adds AirPlay 2 support to 802.11n AirPort Express base stations." AirPlay 2 is Apple's update to its media streaming protocol, enabling features such as stereo pairing on the HomePod and multi-room audio for compatible devices.
The betas of iOS 12 gave some hope that Apple would add AirPlay 2 to AirPort Express units, with the appearance of the 2012 redesign in the Home app for the first beta, but it could not be added as a HomeKit peripheral. After the second beta, the Home app popped up an alert advising an AirPort Express update was available and needed to be applied, but at the time there wasn't an update available.
To install the firmware update, AirPort Express users have to restart the router via the AirPort Utility, then select the base station to see if the update is downloadable. If an update is available, an Update button is presented, which will command the base station to continue with the installation.
In April, Apple announced it had discontinued the long-running AirPort Wi-Fi router line, with existing online and in-store stock being the last remaining units it would sell. The news followed a year after reports Apple had broken up its AirPort devision, shuffling employees to other areas and projects in an apparent sign the product line was close to ending.
In January, Apple started to sell the Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System online and instore, an apparent break in Apple's policy to only sell its own routers, and the first third-party router to be sold in its retail outlets.
The Apple Support site advises "firmware update 7.8 adds AirPlay 2 support to 802.11n AirPort Express base stations." AirPlay 2 is Apple's update to its media streaming protocol, enabling features such as stereo pairing on the HomePod and multi-room audio for compatible devices.
The betas of iOS 12 gave some hope that Apple would add AirPlay 2 to AirPort Express units, with the appearance of the 2012 redesign in the Home app for the first beta, but it could not be added as a HomeKit peripheral. After the second beta, the Home app popped up an alert advising an AirPort Express update was available and needed to be applied, but at the time there wasn't an update available.
To install the firmware update, AirPort Express users have to restart the router via the AirPort Utility, then select the base station to see if the update is downloadable. If an update is available, an Update button is presented, which will command the base station to continue with the installation.
In April, Apple announced it had discontinued the long-running AirPort Wi-Fi router line, with existing online and in-store stock being the last remaining units it would sell. The news followed a year after reports Apple had broken up its AirPort devision, shuffling employees to other areas and projects in an apparent sign the product line was close to ending.
In January, Apple started to sell the Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System online and instore, an apparent break in Apple's policy to only sell its own routers, and the first third-party router to be sold in its retail outlets.
Comments
Apple's website is ambiguous:
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1975?locale=en_US
Now, what about adding APFS support to Time Capsules?!
Also, what about iOS Time Capsule file storage access?!!!!!!
but… but… what about planned obsolescence??
Jus upgraded my two AEs. It works! At this point, the only Airplay 1 device that will be left in my house is an old Denon X2000 receiver that isn't on Denon/Marantz's upgrade list.
Heads off to open Airport Utility ...
... And done. Four of my six Airport Express units throughout the house updated, the two remaining are the previous generation.
I have not purchased a HomePod yet -- have been waiting to see what would happen with this. But this will now prompt me to put a HomePod (or two) in at least one room as I shuffle things around, maybe two. I can't be alone in this -- Apple will see a bit of an uptick in HomePod sales, I'll guess.
The big losers today are probably Sonos or whatever, those from whom I might have bought gear to drive the high-quality, built-in speakers in my house (kitchen, baths) and other expensive speakers with Airplay 2 if Apple hadn't done this.
What a shame.
i may switch my latest gen AirPort Extreme in my master bedroom upstairs for the just update express in the living room on the main floor to take advantage of the expanded AirPlay options.
The bigger shame is that Apple literally invented the Wifi base station market using co-developed technology manufactured by Lucent. For a while, Apple was the only or best base station you could buy for Macs or PCs, period.
I kind of wish Apple would acquire Plume or Eero, but whatevs. There are good options now, and mesh can extend your home network range without cutting the speed in half with every hop.
Yes, that's exactly right. You can hook up any ol' stereo system, and not have to deal with some bullshit distorted all-in-one.