Apples AirPort router likely wont be coming back, but dont lose hope quite yet
According to Mark Gurmans Power On newsletter, Apple is not working on a new version of its AirPort wireless router. However, they are working on something else that could potentially serve as a wireless access point, so dont give up hope quite yet.Earlier this month, we got some new information regarding Apples in-house wireless networking chip, dubbed Proxima. So far, we know this chip will go in a number of home related products, including the Apple TV and HomePod. Itll also show up in iPhone 17 and Mac models later on.One interesting thing about this new chip is that its apparently sophisticated enough that Apple could choose to turn it into a wireless router:The Proxima chip is so sophisticated that it couldtheoreticallyturn a home device like an Apple TV box or HomePod into a wireless access point. Google has released products like this before, including a mixed Wi-Fi router and smart speaker.Gurman notes that the wireless features of these upcoming Apple TV and HomePods wouldnt be a highlight at all, if Apple even chooses to enable wireless access point functionality at all.Either way, its cool to know that it is possible. If Apple wanted to, we could have an Apple-designed wireless access point, similar to the AirPort Express, in our lives once again. Many have dreamed of this, especially since Apples AirPort lineup was discontinued so long ago. Apple released the last AirPort device in 2013.What do you think of the possibility of new Apple wireless access points? Let us know in the comments.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel