mbenz1962

Mike Wuerthele said:

mbenz1962 said:

Just keep in mind that it is not necessary to set up an AirPort Express in client mode to use it as an AiprPlay target (and by extention, any seperately sound system that is connected via audio in).

It isn't always, sure. As-is on an AirPort-centric network, it works fine. But, it works better with other manufacturer's routers if you do so.

Looking at eBay already, there are a lot of people looking to get the Express all of a sudden. This is for them.

If the Express is connected to the other router via Ethernet back-haul it should also work fine. You are right that if a person tries to extend the network of another router, it sometimes just doesn't work reliably.  In these cases, client mode would likely fix the issue as you mentioned.  It might be good to add a sentence to one of the first few paragraphs of the article to explain that.  The article doesn't really explain why you might want to use client mode (other than use as a WiFi adapter for some equipment) which could lead someone to think this is necessary for AirPlay 2 targets.  Just a suggestion though, nothing in the article is inaccurate.

fastasleep said:

Apple's docs are a bit confusing, so I was holding out some hope. This says the latest firmware for the "AirPort Express 802.11n" is 7.8, and for the "AirPort Express (original)" is 6.3:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201519

However, all my 2008 A1264s (1st gen n) are on 7.6.9.

Just to be 100% sure, I tried loading Airport Utility 5.6.1 on my Mac mini to see if that might allow an update, but no dice. Too bad, but no big deal since they still work as AirPlay 1 targets fine. And if anyone wonders why people care, you can get these things on Ebay for around ~$20/ea so they're a bargain. And they got the last firmware update, so it was worth hoping for.

I agree that it is a little unclear at a minumum.  Apple needs to either update the entry for AirPort Express to 7.6.9 or simply add an entry for the AirPort Express (Original) in the row where 7.6.9 is listed and delete the seperate row for AirPort Express (Original).  

boxcatcher said:

Lol, there were quite a few commenters poo-pooing the chance of this ever happening when discussed previously.  Good work, Apple!

Yep, I decided to round them up and give them a shout out.  This way we know to give their predictions (especially in such absolutest terms) the respect they deserve.  And the Hall of Fame-rs are:

@Hagar --Just let it go already. This is never going to happen. 
@Metriacanthosaurus --Flat out: Not happening.

Honorable mentions:

@Fallenjt --AirPort Express hardware is too old. It doesn't even support 802.11 AC. 
@Pbrutto --Not only has their been no indication of a router update but their have been multiple stories saying Apple is completely out of the router business now going back months. So, why do you think they may be updated?
@Bradford_kirby --The airport express is over.

There were a few more that could have been put in the honorable mention category, but their comments seemed more like reasonable opinions than snarky critiques of Apple and the fans that held out hope that Apple could squeeze a little more life out of a great product that is riding into the sunset.

JanNL said:

Mike Wuerthele said:

libertyforall said:

Does it apply to the 2008-2012 sold 802.11n Airport Express  (Gen 1)?

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?!!!!!!

It only applies to the 2012 remake, as pictured in the article.

That's right, couldn't resist and tried the Gen 1. This firmware stays on 7.6.9 .

I can confirm on my hardware that the Gen 1 doesn’t get the update and doesn’t appear as an AirPlay 2 target. The latest AirPort express became an AirPlay 2 target after the update and receives the tell-tale circle next to its name in the AirPlay device listing from compatible devices (tested with my iPhone 8).

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. 

nunzy said:

Netflix should pay Apple every time somebody uses an Apple product to watch Netflix. Every time.

They use loopholes to screw Apple. That's not fair to any of us.

Either you meant to say "every time someone uses and Apple product to subscribe to Nextflix" or I missed your /s tag, because someone paying apple a per stream commission would be nuts. Like Seankill said:

seankill said:

rogifan_new said:

I think the whole Apple as a marketplace and what cut should they get is a fascinating discussion. For those that argue these commissions are legit because Apple’s providing access to a billion consumers willing to spend money etc. then why does Apple allow free apps in the App Store? Why shouldn’t every app cost something and Apple gets a percentage of the sale? And if we’re talking customer acquistion, couldn’t one make the case that Uber and Lyft owe their success to Apple/iOS more than Netflix? Yet Apple doesn’t take a cut of Uber and Lyft transactions.

Why stop there? Should PC manufacturers get a cut for all the stuff bought on their computers? Or how about the IP made on their computers?

I only think Apple should get a cut if their services are used, how it currently is. I don’t see any issues with the Apps, say Netflix, routing the user through a web browser to sign up outside of Apples services. Thus, Apple should get nothing. 

No TV manufacturers are getting a cut per showing if someone watches a certain network's programming on their set.  No radio manufacturers are getting a cut per hour when you listen to a certain channel with your head unit.  

I do think Apple should get some kind of commission for linking/facilitating the subscription initially, but I don't think 30% for a year is fair and obviously neither do Netflix, Spotify and a few other big players.  Apple should get a bigger cut initially, maybe the first (paid) month or quarter maximum and then a cut of subscription pricing (5-10%) for ongoing costs (payment processing, App hosting, support, etc.)  The Netflix app is pretty small (not even 100MB) and the streaming traffic isn't running over Apple's servers, so the actual costs to Apple for handling this App are pretty low.  

For the big players, the payoff for the "Marketing Service" that they get included in their 30% is pretty moot.  Everyone and their dog has heard of Netflix in the US.  Perhaps Apple could have a tiered system per country storefront.  For example, Apps with a monthly subscription revenue of $1 million or less are in the 30%/15% tier (with the larger percent cut being limited to 1-3 months) and get marketing and Highlights and feature spots in the App Store.  For Apps $5 million or less to $1 million 20%/10% and so on so that the bigger the company behind the app, the less they would pay as a percent and consequently the less Apple could waste time in marketing apps that everyone already has.  No one needs an Ad for Netflix in the US App Store.  Maybe in other countries Netflix could benefit from some marketing boost according to their revenue numbers and consequently pay more via their tier in that storefront and receive the appropriate marketing and other features.