Apple’s AirPort router lineup is officially dead

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AirPort Express
Apple is getting out of the router business.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The biggest tech company in the world is getting out of WiFi. Kind of…

Apple decided to finally put the nail in the coffin for its lineup of AirPort routers that haven’t been updated in years. We’ve known this day has been coming for nearly two years, but Apple just officially gave us the bad news.

Here’s the official statement:

“We’re discontinuing the Apple AirPort base station products. They will be available through Apple.com, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers while supplies last.”

It’s not much of a surprise that Apple is killing the AirPort lineup. Even though they’re dearly loved products, Apple is so huge now that swiping some of Linksys‘ profits isn’t even worth the time and effort.

Apple introduced the AirPort lineup back in 2003 when it was starting to ride the high from the original iPod. Killing the AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme was only a matter of time, especially as mesh routers started taking over.

Don’t expect a price drop on Apple’s routers though. You can still expect to pay $299 for a Time Capsule or $99 for an AirPort Express while supplies last.

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