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Last week's AirPort/Time Capsule firmware update is breaking IPv6 tunneling for some users, according to complaints on Apple's support forums. Tunneling allows IPv6 traffic to flow through IPv4 links. Without fixed firmware, the glitch could prevent some sites and services from connecting through Apple routers.
Apple has posted a new version of AirPort Utility for the Mac. The tool is used to configure Wi-Fi networks created through Apple's Airport line of routers. The v6.2 update makes a couple of rare feature additions, one of which is the ability to extend guest Wi-Fi access across a network with multiple AirPort stations. To support the changes, a firmware update has been issued for some Airport models, and the iOS Airport Utility app has been updated.
Shortages of Apple's AirPort Extreme suggest that the company is about to refresh the peripheral, possibly with 802.11ac support, according to AppleInsider. Amazon and Best Buy's online outlets are in fact out of stock for the router, which may indicate that Apple has halted shipments of current-generation hardware. Like other companies, Apple lets channel inventories drain for a brief time before new hardware debuts.
(Updated with new image showing prices, products) An expanded list of part numbers indicates that Apple is indeed preparing to update virtually all of its Macs, according to a source for AppleInsider. In all, there are 27 new parts, of which 14 are believed to be Macs; all of the parts are said to be in Apple's reseller system. Currently Apple is selling 20 different stock Mac configurations, which implies that it will not update all of them, and/or that it might axe some options.
Apple took a surprise step Monday by completely reworking its desktop AirPort app. AirPort Utility 6.0 (14.1MB) is reworked to look like its iOS counterpart and starts off with a visual topography for the user's network including the active status and whether or not updates are waiting. Any router on the network, and the Internet connection itself, gets a pop-over that shows both common settings as well as an option to edit settings for that device.
A leaked pamphlet shows the some of discounts Apple is planning to offer for this year's Black Friday sale, according to 9to5Mac. In terms of computers, the company is taking $101 off the iMac, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. iPad 2 discounts range from $41 to $61, depending on storage capacity, and a similar philosophy applies to the iPod touch, which is getting between $21 and $41 off. Both the 8 and 16GB iPod nanos are $11 chepaer.
Late on Thursday, Apple released firmware updates for the MacBook Pro (all models), as well as the Airport and Time Capsule wireless base stations (802.11n capable models only). The update to the MacBook Pros, which brings the firmware up to version 1.5, resolves an issue where the MBP may shut down under heavy load when the battery charge is very low, even if the unit is actually plugged into power at the time.
Apple's two main companion apps for iOS 5, Find My Friends and AirPort Utility, have gone live just hours before the OS itself is available. We've had the opportunity to try both and to gauge how they work in practice. We'll also gauge whether Find My Friends stacks up well against its main rival, Google Latitude.
Apple has released Find My Friends, the iOS tracking app announced at last week's iPhone event. Similar in concept to Google Latitude, Find My Friends lets users follow people who have accepted requests in their own copies of the app. Once they give the thumbs up, friends will appear both on a list of contacts and on a Google map.
Apple is preparing to launch a specific AirPort Utility app for iOS, users of the iOS 5 Gold Master have discovered. One planned feature for the platform has been the ability to configure an AirPort router. Within the iOS 5 GM, though, a pop-up appears if AirPort owners tap a special a button under Wi-Fi settings labelled Manage This Network. "Managing networks requires AirPort Utility," it states. "Would you like to download it from the App Store?"
Apple is planning on releasing an updated AirPort Express, AppleInsider indicates. The site quotes a source "familiar with the matter" who says that Apple is finishing up AirPort Utility 5.6, a software update with "Adds support for the AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd Generation) base station" in current developer notes. Resellers are meanwhile reporting problems with present-gen Express availability; Amazon expects new stock in 2 to 5 weeks, while DataVision is claiming that the product has been discontinued. Apple continues to have stock at its online store.
The completed version of iOS 5 should allow people to configure AirPort and Time Capsule routers without having to go through a desktop or notebook, a series of images from an AppleInsider reader show. Within the firmware's Wi-Fi Networks menu, located under Settings, a new "Set up an AirPort Base Station" option is present, listing any AirPort or Time Capsule peripherals in the immediate area. Tapping this prompts users to either create a new network or "Do something different."
A pair of looks at the upgraded AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule has shown more upgrades and changes than first thought, including a slightly misleading view of the hard drive. One breakdown shared between AppleInsider and iFixit has shown that the new AirPort Extreme and presumably Time Capsule output about 2.8 times more power, at 392.64mW, than the previous version. A test wasn't immediately possible, but the potential existed for as much as a 60 percent range boost, though only in ideal conditions.
Apple has posted Mac OS X 10.6.8, what may be the final major update of Snow Leopard. One of the key features of the code is in fact preparation of the Mac App Store for Mac OS X Lion, which will launch sometime in July. The update is also designed to close several security holes, scrub "known variants" of Mac Defender, and improve VPN reliability as well as support for IPv6 networking.
Apple has quietly updated the AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi router, reports note. The device has a new model number, MD031AM/A, but has no publicized changes, and the same $179 pricetag. It had been thought that Apple might drop the hardware's price and/or bump peak speeds up to 450Mbps.
Apple's plans for new AirPort hardware were cemented Tuesday after an FCC filing showed a new AirPort Extreme station. Known just as the A1408, few details are available beyond that it would have a 3X3 antenna layout, likely to get 450Mbps peak speeds. Although the online Apple Store is still up as of early Tuesday morning, the FCC filings have the details due to go public the same day, suggesting Apple either launches now or in the very near future.
An unusual plethora of rumors Monday night provided possible details of the new Mac Pro and other near-term Apple updates. The pro tower will supposedly get a "unique CPU" along with its more rackmountable case. What that would entail wasn't said by MICGadget's purported informants, though it's more likely to involve early access to the Xeon E5 due this fall than a genuinely rare processor.
Apple is gearing up another one of its overnight visual overhauls for Tuesday in what could be a sign of another product launch. A leak has pointed to an update this coming Tuesday night for an unveiling Wednesday. The 9to5 contacts mentioned some stores getting boxes as well, but whether these are display supplies or products isn't evident.
Apple and Microsoft today issued updates for two long-standing products; in the case of Apple, it has updated Airport Utility for Mac and Windows to version 5.5.3 to fix a crashing issue. Microsoft has updated Office for Mac 2004, 2008 and 2011 to address security vulnerabilities as well as bug fixes and enhancements to the suites.
Several Apple products are becoming scarce in the distribution channel, according to multiple reports, which could indicate an imminent refresh. Sources have told 9to5Mac that Best Buy channels are backordered on Mac minis as well as Airport Extremes, both of which are due for upgrades.
Hooks have been discovered in the iOS 5 beta for several undisclosed features. Code references for the Camera app, for instance, point to native panorama support, something currently offered only by third-party apps. The option is not yet live, but could be toggled on in a later version of the beta.
Apple's upcoming Time Capsule update could have more ambitious plans for remote storage based on an unverified rumor. Although it might not store iOS firmware, it would purportedly make Time Machine backups available online and let iCloud users sync their home folders between Macs. The approach Cult of Mac described would save Apple bandwidth at its North Carolina datacenter but still give an incentive to use the service.
Two clues Sunday morning have hinted that Apple may have two product or feature launches in the aftermath of WWDC. The company is expected by a source to have a major "visual update" on June 7 that would include both the usual changes as well as a window change, usually a clue as to a major new campaign. Speculation from 9to5 is that it may represent the start of the back to school sale, although it could also be new AirPort and Time Capsule routers.
Apple gave a possible clue to an iOS 5 feature with a mention of automatic app syncing in iTunes. A check of the app updates page by Marcelo Alves showed that a device can be enabled for Automatic Download to get both purchased apps and updates directly, without having to link up to iTunes. No feature of the kind exists in iOS 4.3, leading MacRumors to suggest the notice (since pulled) was a clue as to what was in store at WWDC.
An off-hand tip in a report late Thursday hinted that Apple's upcoming Time Capsules would borrow a cue from the current Apple TV. One source said that the new router, and possibly regular AirPort devices, would use either an A4 or an A5 chip and a heavily modified iOS foundation. The Ars Technica contact made no mention as to why, but it's presumed the backup option would require more computing power.
Multiple reports Wednesday night slipped word that Apple retail stores were running out of the company's wireless routers. A number of readers mention the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and Time Capsule all being out of stock, often all at the same time. MacRumors had heard just of stockouts, but TUAW had heard that even one store with stock might have been asked to return unsold inventory, indicating that it was a discontinuation, not just a supply issue.
A developer, James Laird, has reportedly reverse-engineered the private key used in the AirPort Express. The immediate result is a piece of open-source software called Shairport, which emulates the Express and allows iTunes streaming to normally unsupported third-party software or hardware. Officially the Apple technology is intended for AirPorts and a limited selection of other AirPlay-compatible hardware.
Apple is already seeding the first beta of Mac OS X 10.6.7 to developers, reports say. Listed as build 10J842, the delta update measures 338.6MB, while the combo version is 992.9MB. Little else is known about the update so far except that several testing focus areas are listed. These include AirPort, Bonjour, SMB and the operating system's graphics drivers.
Apple has posted a firmware update for all 802.11n-capable Airport base stations and Time Capsules, as well as new versions of Airport Utility for Mac and Windows. The firmware update, labelled 7.5.2, closes several security holes as well as bolsters stability under IPv6. It also fixes issues with Airplay streaming, USB connectivity, addresses some issues with NAT port mapping and disables TKIP security for 802.11n in accordance with the Wi-Fi Alliance specifications.
iPads are now installed at Delta seating areas in New York's JFK airport that feature internet access, games and to allow waiting passengers to order food and drink, USA Today reports. The mounted iPads accompany three new restaurants built in the waiting area in Terminal 2 at gates 21 and 22 as well as gate 15 in Terminal 3.
Apple on Wednesday released updates to its AirPort utilities for Mac and Windows systems, along with a firmware update for Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme Base Station devices. AirPort Utility 5.5.1 has been improved with a number of bug fixes, helping to prevent problems when importing settings or propagating MAC address control lists using an extended network.
Apple is seeding a new test build of Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers, 10D552. The code is said to continue many of the troubleshooting efforts taken with the last two builds, correcting problems with AirPort, OpenGL, graphics drivers and QuickTime X, while improving the performance of 64-bit Logic. Also fixed are some compatibility and reliability issues with third-party printers, and a glitch which causes background message colors to behave badly in Mail.
Booq has launched an airport-savvy notebook bag, the Taipan lift. The new bag features the ability to quickly unfold, leaving the notebook section unobstructed for quick inspection at airport security checkpoints. The front pocket provides compartments for paperwork and other items such as a boarding pass, wallet and water bottle. The opposing side holds either a 13-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro in the small version, while the large variant accommodates a 15-inch or 17-inch MacBook Pro. The bag has two handles, a removable shoulder-strap, and a quick-access 30-degree opening in addition to the zippered 180-degree opening.
Most of Apple's networking peripherals sold only adequately during 2009, according to data from the NPD Group. The firm notes that Apple TV sales were up less than 10 percent in 2009, continuing a lethargic trend that emerged in 2008. The product has not been helped materially by the release of the Apple TV 3.0 firmware -- adding features like Internet radio -- or a price cut down to $229.
The IEEE has recently begun the first steps of voting on a major improvement to Wi-Fi standards due in two years. The 802.11ac standard should upgrade 802.11a to use 80MHz or even 160MHz channels that provide much more bandwidth than today. Combined with about a 10 percent increase in efficiency for modulating the actual frequencies, the speedup should improve the theoretical transfer speeds to as much as 1Gbps, or more than three times the 300Mbps 802.11n reaches for now.
Rokland Technologies has introduced BearExtender n3, a wireless adapter designed for Apple computers. The device pairs a 700 mW Wi-Fi radio with an external antenna claimed to increase wireless range by up to four times the typical distance experienced with a 32mW AirPort card. It features plug-and-play compatibility, connecting via USB, and supports 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n networks.
Alongside the announcements of new Macs and the Magic Mouse, Apple on Tuesday quietly introduced updated AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule devices. Like its predecessor, the new AirPort Extreme base station utilizes the same dual-band communication on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. A redesigned antenna, however, is claimed to improve data speeds by up to 50 percent, while extending the effective range by 25 percent.
Apple has posted a small but significant update to its AirPort client software for MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The new version fixes problems created by Mac OS X 10.5.8, which can potentially affect AirPort networking performance while a notebook is running on battery power. The update is 1.68MB, and can only be installed on 13-inch MacBooks launched between late 2007 and late 2008, 15-inch MacBook Pros from early 2008, and 17-inch MacBook Pros released any time last year.
Apple on Tuesday evening release an update to its software for its wireless router devices. The Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.4.2 (with 802.11n support) fixes five specific problems, according to the company: (1) some problems with extending and maintaining connectivity with extended networks; (2) an issue with clients that enable 802.11 "Power Save;" (3) Fixes connectivity issues with some third-party devices; (4) an issue when the base station is configured for PPPoE; and (5) some Back To My Mac issues with connectivity and support for third-party routers. Apple recommends that AirPort Utility 5.4.2 or later be installed before upgrading to Firmware version 7.4.2 (including the version 5.4.2 for Windows).
Apple today released an update to its software for its line of branded wireless routers, including the AirPort Express Base Station, the AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Time Capsule. AirPort Utility 5.4.2 includes general fixes and compatibility updates for the following applications: AirPort Utility and AirPort Base Station Agent, Apple said. It also also installs AirPort Disk Utility on Macs running Tiger. An updated version for Windows PCs is also available.
FCC filings indicate that Apple is set to release updated versions of its Time Capsule and AirPort Express 802.11n devices, according to AppleInsider. Testing documents show that the wireless routers could support simultaneous communication on the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. The expanded capabilities would allow the base stations to work with 802.11b/g devices, such as the iPhone, while sending 802.11n signals to a computer or set-top box.
A placeholder in Apple's Australian store shows an unannounced 'Unwired Airport Express Bundle' that carries a price of A$168 (~$109USD), according to AppleInsider. The listing does not provide any additional details, although the title suggests the package could include a modem or service from the Australian wireless-broadband carrier Unwired, which offers data connectivity without requiring a phone or dedicated line.
As anticipated last week, Apple has posted its latest update to Mac OS X, v10.5.6. Available through the Software Update service or direct download, the patch consists mostly of dozens of fixes and performance enhancements, for issues such as sync and graphics. Sync reliability has been improved for Address Book, portable home directories and most notably MobileMe, which should now propagate contact, calendar and bookmark changes within a minute of their being saved.
Today's deals at DealNN include a range of products from bargain priced RAM and printers to digital cameras. First up is the Kingston ValuRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 SDRAM memory module kit priced at $34.99 after mail in rebate at Buy.com. Next up is the refurbished Epson Stylus CX4450 all-in-one color printer for $29, a price cut of $20 off the original price of $49.99 at J&R.com. The refurbished Kodak EasyShare C613 6.2MP digital camera is available at TIgerDirect.com for $59. For one day only (10/31/08) Newegg.com is offering the Griffin Amplifi 2.1 sound system for iPod for $78, a savings of 48% off their regular price of $149.99. Lastly, Apple's online store has the refurbished AirPort Express base station with 802.11n and AirTunes for $79.
Only days after the 2008-003 update, Apple is now seeding a second software patch for its AirPort Extreme router through Software Update. The 2008-004 release once again targets a problem with Intel Macs running Mac OS X 10.5.5, in which people had issues with AirPort connections while roaming in large Wi-Fi networks. Apple has not said what the 004 iteration changes, but it is likely a fix to unexpected implementation errors.
Apple has released a minor software update for its AirPort Extreme router, 2008-003. The update is a 2.2MB download, and is said to fix problems with AirPort connections when roaming within larger Wi-Fi networks. The code is specifically said to benefit owners of Intel Macs running Mac OS X 10.5.5.
Apple's newly-released iTunes 8 may be causing problems for owners of AirPort Express routers, complaints on Apple forums suggest. Accounts mention the software displaying error codes when trying to use the AirTunes option, used to stream music wirelessly to remote speakers. Once an Express is connected to distant speakers, iTunes normally allows users to pick a particular set of audio outputs.
Apple on Friday offered the AirPort Exteme Update 2008-002, which the company is recommending for all Intel-based Macs running Mac OS X 10.4.11 Tiger. The update notes that it improves overall reliability of AirPort connections between the computer and the Base Station, but also claims it resolves several compatibility issues with audio applications, such as GarageBand, Logic, and MainStage, among others.
Reconditioned MacBooks in multiple configurations are now available at Apple's online store. Two models in white with similar specifications are $949, they both have 1GB of memory and 120GB hard drives, one has a 2.1GHz processor and a Combo drive and the other has a 2.16GHz processor with 8x SuperDrive. A black 2.4GHz option can also be found with 2GB of memory and 250GB hard drive for $1,299. All MacBooks have 13 inch widescreen displays and include built-in iSight webcam, wireless, and Bluetooth.
Apple on Monday released an update to its 802.11n wireless AirPort products, including its wireless Time Capsule backup solution: The Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n. The update says that Firmware 7.3.2 updates include bug fixes and that it requires AirPort Utility 5.3.2. AirPort Utility 5.3.2 -- both of which were released in early June and can be obtained via an automatic software update or as a manual download.
