Despite reports indicating that Apple would stop production for its AirPort lineup for wireless routers, the Cupertino-based tech giant dropped new firmware updates for its Wi-Fi base stations, including the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule, into their 7.7.8 and 7.6.8 versions.
Apple released versions 7.6.8 for the 802.11n AirPort Extreme, and 7.7.8 for the 802.11ac AirPort Extreme in order to address issues on bugs and security holes. According to Apple Insider, the said update fixes the "Back to My Mac" bug, where routers would not respond to the AirPort Utility.
In addition, the 7.7.8 update is available for 802.11ac base stations while the 7.6.8 update is available for 802.11n base stations.
WCCFTech reported that users can select two platforms in order to download the firmware update. The firmware updates can be installed via AirPort Utility app on iOS device or through AirPort Utility on Mac.
Customers should launch the app on either platform and should wait for an update to appear next to the base station. The installation will readily be downloaded over the air, and will not affect the phone's settings.
In order to apply the changes on the "Back to My Mac" problem, users should disable the feature and reboot the routers, which will allow the software patch to be installed. Before the latest update, the said bug issue made the routers invisible whenever the "Back to my Mac" was enabled.
On another note, previous rumors suggest that Apple reportedly discontinued the AirPort hardware platform, as the said division does not generate the expected revenue compared to other products.
However, through the updated versions of the AirPort hardwares, namely AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule, this may suggest that the company is not abandoning the division. Other reports reveal that Apple may just be focusing on its core consumer products that generate a large majority of its revenue.
According to Apple Insider's report, the company's internal departmental revisions point to no update in its existing lineup of routers, including the AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule, and AirPort Express. However, it does not erase the possibility of a different product under the same features.
