Apple may revive its AirPort technology in new HomePod and Apple TV
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New HomePod mini (right) and Apple's old AirPort Express (left). Last updated 12 hours ago. 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.
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 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.
