Apple 'Not' Working on New AirPort, But Apple TV and HomePod Provide Glimmer of Hope

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple is developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that will debut in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models next year. The report led to hopes that Apple might also use the chip to revive its line of AirPort routers, which were discontinued in 2018, but those dreams have been dashed by Gurman himself.

Apple AirPort Routers
In his Power On newsletter today, the well-connected journalist said that Apple is "not" currently working on new AirPort routers.

Gurman did offer a glimmer of hope. He said that Apple's in-house Wi-Fi chip is "so sophisticated" that it could "theoretically" turn a home device like a future Apple TV or HomePod into a wireless access point. However, he did not confirm if Apple will actually follow through with that idea, so keep your expectations low for the time being.

Apple's in-house Wi-Fi chip could still have other benefits for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models, including Wi-Fi 6E support.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Two of Apple's Oldest Products Are Finally Getting Updated This Year

Friday February 14, 2025 6:03 am PST by
Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, followed by the AirTag in May 2021, and both still remain first-generation products. Fortunately, rumors suggest that both the HomePod mini and the AirTag will finally be updated at some point this year. Below, we recap rumors about the HomePod mini 2 and AirTag 2. HomePod mini 2 In January 2025, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...

Top Rated Comments

jent Avatar
9 weeks ago
Please make routers again! Time Capsule was incredible, and made backups for regular people’s Macs so easy. And this could also push HomeKit into more homes, giving more Apple users a Thread/Matter hub.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
9 weeks ago
This is the product I've most wanted from them again

I do not understand why they won't keep making them
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
211 Avatar
9 weeks ago

This is the product I've most wanted from them again

I do not understand why they won't keep making them
Apple prefers to focus its energy on things people haven’t been asking for or need
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maximit Avatar
9 weeks ago
WiFi 6E? I would hope they have WiFi 7! Im a network engineer but I still use AirPorts and Time Capsules at my house, they work great up to 1gbps wireless speed with MIMO on a private DFS channel (forced with a hack), also still have two AirPort Express units for Airplay use. I do wish they had some 2.5g or 10g ports on them and faster access speed on the TimeCapsule as I use it for file sharing. There is no big practical advantage with 6 or 6E but I might finally upgrade when WiFi 7 comes out on the MacBook line.



Attachment Image
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
9 weeks ago

Apple prefers to focus its energy on things people haven’t been asking for or need
Touché!
You are very very correct my friend

(everyone) "Please make routers again!"

(Apple) "Here's a VR headset and an iPad on a docking stand to control lights you don't own"
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hieranonymous Avatar
9 weeks ago
A HomePod that connects directly to a broadband modem and functions as a wireless router would slap.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)