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40-597: Apple discontinued developing its wireless routers in 2018, but as of 2021 continues limited support of later models. In Japan, the AirPort Express is called the AirMac express. When connected to an Ethernet network, the Express can function as a wireless access point . The latest model allows up to 50 networked users. It can be used as an Ethernet-to-wireless bridge under certain wireless configurations. It can be used to extend

80-404: A limited number of frequencies legally available for use by wireless networks. Usually, adjacent APs will use different frequencies (channels) to communicate with their clients in order to avoid interference between the two nearby systems. Wireless devices can "listen" for data traffic on other frequencies, and can rapidly switch from one frequency to another to achieve better reception. However,

120-527: A 2008 article for Wired magazine, Bruce Schneier asserted the net benefits of open Wi-Fi without passwords outweigh the risks, a position supported in 2014 by Peter Eckersley of the Electronic Frontier Foundation . The opposite position was taken by Nick Mediati in an article for PC World , in which he advocates that every wireless access point should be protected with a password. HomeKit HomeKit , also known as Apple Home ,

160-506: A completely redesigned model with a new square form factor and two ethernet ports. On August 28, 2018 Apple added AirPlay 2 support to the 2012 AirPort Express, providing the ability to be added to the Apple Home app as an audio destination. On November 21, 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded its wireless router division, "according to people familiar with the matter." In an April 2018 statement to 9to5Mac , Apple announced

200-565: A gateway product, such as a bridge that connects those devices to the HomeKit service. HomeKit primarily competes with smart home standards from Amazon and Google . As of 2024, Apple lists over 1,000 devices compatible with HomeKit, compared to 10,000 for Google and 85,000 for Amazon. The Home app, which unifies all devices into one app, was introduced on iPhones and iPads on September 13, 2016, with iOS 10 , and on Apple Watches with watchOS 3. The app also added support for automations using

240-459: A high level. HomeKit was first introduced on iPhones and iPads on September 17, 2014, with iOS 8 . The framework allowed third-party apps to interface with HomeKit devices using Siri and allow remote access through home hubs. HomeKit was created to make tasks inside the home easier and provide users with methods and tools to change and adapt certain home capabilities to their specific desires. HomeKit manages connected home appliances through

280-400: A home hub in homes upgraded to the new architecture introduced in iOS 16, but retain all functionality introduced before iPadOS 16. The third-generation Apple TV only supports remote access and supported automations before iOS 10. HomeKit Secure Routers were introduced in 2019 and allow users to limit network access for HomeKit devices, reducing potential vulnerabilities. Routers approved by

320-552: A home hub, and preprogrammed scenes which can set multiple devices using a single command. HomeKit toggles can also be added to the Control Center, allowing control over connected devices without having to use Siri or open the Home app. The Home app was introduced on Macs with macOS 10.14 Mojave , which was released on September 24, 2018. With Apple's operating systems released in 2022, including iOS 16 and macOS Ventura , Home received

360-435: A major redesign to make the app easier to navigate, and allows users to upgrade to a new architecture which was rebuilt from the ground up to be more efficient for users with multiple HomeKit-enabled devices. Once a home is upgraded to the new architecture, devices using older operating systems can no longer access the Home app. iOS 18 brought guest access, hands-free unlocking of locks, in-app electricity usage integration, and

400-427: A small number of devices that are close to each other, but ad hoc networks do not scale well. Internet traffic will converge to the nodes with direct internet connection, potentially congesting these nodes. For internet-enabled nodes, access points have a clear advantage, with the possibility of having a wired LAN . It is generally recommended that one IEEE 802.11 AP should have, at a maximum, 10–25 clients. However,

440-511: A wired local area network , typically Ethernet , and the AP then provides wireless connections using wireless LAN technology, typically Wi-Fi, for other devices to use that wired connection. APs support the connection of multiple wireless devices through their one wired connection. There are many wireless data standards that have been introduced for wireless access point and wireless router technology. New standards have been created to accommodate

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480-404: A wired network or wireless network. As a standalone device, the AP may have a wired or wireless connection to a switch or router , but in a wireless router it can also be an integral component of the networking device itself. A WAP and AP is differentiated from a hotspot , which can be a physical location or digital location where Wi-Fi or WAP access is available. An AP connects directly to

520-543: Is a software framework and communication protocol developed by Apple Inc. that lets users configure, communicate with and control smart-home appliances using Apple devices. It provides users with a way to automatically discover such devices and configure them. By designing rooms, items and actions in HomeKit, users can enable automations in the home through a voice command to Siri or through Apple's Home app or third party apps. With HomeKit, developers are able to create complex applications in order to manage accessories at

560-455: Is a feature introduced in iOS 15 in 2021 that allows iPhones ( XS or newer) and Apple Watches (Series 4 or newer) to unlock compatible NFC -equipped smart locks. Home keys are stored in the Wallet app and can be customized to use Express Mode which allows unlocking without requiring the user to authenticate with Touch ID or Face ID . iOS 18 introduced support for hands-free home keys that use

600-520: Is easy and does not require an access point, an ad hoc network is used in situations such as a quick data exchange or a multiplayer video game . Due to its peer-to-peer layout, ad hoc Wi-Fi connections are similar to connections available using Bluetooth . Ad hoc connections are generally not recommended for a permanent installation. Internet access via ad hoc networks , using features like Windows ' Internet Connection Sharing or dedicated software such as WiFi Direct Access Point , may work well with

640-557: Is supported by the HomePod Mini , second generation HomePod and Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later) . Automations based on temperature and humidity are supported by the HomePod Mini and second generation HomePod. Prior to iOS 18 , the Home app automatically selected the home hub. iPads were supported as home hubs starting with iOS 10 but were phased out with iPadOS 16 ; iPads do not support Matter and will not function as

680-477: The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, with almost all other features identical, was introduced by Apple in March 2008. The revised unit includes an 802.11a/n (5 GHz) mode, which allows adding Draft-N to an existing 802.11b/g network without disrupting existing connections, while preserving the increased throughput that Draft-N can provide. Up to 10 wireless units can connect to this AirPort Express. In 2012 Apple introduced

720-491: The HomePod Mini in 2020. They lack a graphical user interface to control HomeKit devices and instead use Siri voice commands. Neither the HomePod nor Apple TV can unlock or open secure appliances like locks. As of iOS 16 , Apple TVs (4th generation or newer) and all HomePod family speakers are fully supported as home hubs to control HomeKit appliances remotely, grant guest access, and set up automations. Thread networking

760-556: The MFi Program . Apple also used to provide documentation for creating non-commercial HomeKit accessories to any member of the Apple Developer Program. Initially, all HomeKit-based products were required to include an encryption co-processor. The latter requirement was later changed in iOS 11 , which added support for software-based authentication. Equipment manufactured without HomeKit support can be enabled for use through

800-429: The finalization of the 802.11n standard in 2009 inherent problems integrating products from different vendors are less prevalent. Wireless access has special security considerations. Many wired networks base the security on physical access control, trusting all the users on the local network, but if wireless access points are connected to the network, anybody within range of the AP (which typically extends farther than

840-563: The ultra-wideband chip in iPhones ( 11 or newer, excluding SE models) and Apple Watches (Series 6 or newer, excluding SE models) to automatically unlock a smart lock when a user approaches it. On December 18, 2019, Apple announced it would be working closely with Samsung, Amazon, and Google to create an open standard for smart home automation called Matter . Matter aims to reduce fragmentation across different vendors, and achieve interoperability among smart home devices and Internet of things (IoT) platforms from different providers. The project

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880-521: The AirPort Express on a system running OS X Lion or earlier can only be used to wirelessly stream audio files from within iTunes to an attached stereo system. It cannot be used to output the soundtrack of iTunes video content to an attached stereo. OS X Mountain Lion introduced AirPlay support, a feature to output Mac system-wide audio directly to AirPort Express. This allows output of the audio of protected video content within iTunes, and also correctly maintains

920-636: The AirPort Express will output a bit-for-bit identical bitstream when compared to the original CD (provided any sound enhancement settings in iTunes are disabled). DTS -encoded CDs ripped to Apple Lossless audio files - which decode as digital white noise in iTunes - will play back correctly when the AirPort Express is connected via TOSLINK to a DTS-compatible amplifier–decoder. This is limited to 16-bit and 44.1 kHz when streaming from iTunes; any higher quality content, such as high fidelity audio that uses up to 24-bit and/or 192 kHz will be truncated down to 16-bit and 44.1 kHz. The audio output feature of

960-895: The HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP). Messages from HomeKit are continuously sent to powered devices, which incorporate fields which recognize the specific accessory and what category it is under. Each category has a code that is used to identify what the device is. It also identifies with the Global State Number (GSN). This number is increased each time that the state of the accessory is altered. Like most Apple devices, Apple Continuity Protocols are used. Continuity protocols consist of wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. They can be conducted through device-to-device connection. HomeKit uses Wi-Fi , Bluetooth and Thread protocols to communicate with devices. Manufacturers of HomeKit-enabled devices are required to enroll in

1000-537: The Logitech Media Server (Squeezeserver), the Airplay bridge plugin allows it to behave as a seamless squeezeplayer client [1] The first version (M9470LL/A, model A1084) was introduced by Apple on July 7, 2004; it included an analog–optical audio mini-jack output , a USB port for remote printing, and one Ethernet port. The USB port could also be used to charge the first generation iPod Shuffle , although this

1040-503: The ability to unlock locks using Express Mode with an iPhone that is out of battery. Fourth-generation and newer Apple TVs can control HomeKit devices using Siri voice commands. tvOS 14, which was released on September 16, 2020, added direct control of HomeKit devices in Control Center and camera feeds and picture-in-picture monitoring for HomeKit-enabled security cameras. The HomePod supported HomeKit at launch in February 2018, as did

1080-422: The actual maximum number of clients that can be supported can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as type of APs in use, density of client environment, desired client throughput, etc. The range of communication can also vary significantly, depending on such variables as indoor or outdoor placement, height above ground, nearby obstructions, other electronic devices that might actively interfere with

1120-415: The actual over-the-air rate for data throughput. Thus a typical 54 Mbit/s wireless connection actually carries TCP/IP data at 20 to 25 Mbit/s. Users of legacy wired networks expect faster speeds, and people using wireless connections keenly want to see the wireless networks catch up. By 2012, 802.11n based access points and client devices have already taken a fair share of the marketplace and with

1160-533: The audio sync with the image displayed on-screen. Video is synced with output audio when playing the video through an AirPort Express if the video is in a format supported by QuickTime Player (such as HTML 5 video in Safari etc.). For Windows and Mac operating systems (before OS X Mountain Lion) there are a few software options available for streaming system-wide audio to the AirPort Express, such as Airfoil and TuneBlade . For

1200-568: The consumer market can reach sustained real-world speeds of some 240 Mbit/s at 13 m behind two standing walls ( NLOS ) depending on their nature or 360 Mbit/s at 10 m line of sight or 380 Mbit/s at 2 m line of sight ( IEEE 802.11ac ) or 20 to 25 Mbit/s at 2 m line of sight ( IEEE 802.11g ), wired hardware of similar cost reaches closer to 1000 Mbit/s up to specified distance of 100 m with twisted-pair cabling in optimal conditions ( Category 5 (known as Cat-5) or better cabling with Gigabit Ethernet ). One impediment to increasing

1240-454: The discontinuation of its AirPort line, effectively leaving the consumer router market. Apple continued supporting the AirPort Express, although an older version of its "AirPort Utility" is required to support the earliest version of the device. Wireless access point In computer networking , a wireless access point ( WAP ) (also just access point ( AP )) is a networking hardware device that allows other Wi-Fi devices to connect to

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1280-424: The increasing need for faster wireless connections. Access points can provide backward compatibility with older Wi-Fi protocols as many devices were manufactured for use with older standards. Some people confuse wireless access points with wireless ad hoc networks . An ad hoc network uses a connection between two or more devices without using a wireless access point; the devices communicate directly. Because setup

1320-533: The intended area) can attach to the network. The most common solution is wireless traffic encryption. Modern access points come with built-in encryption. The first generation encryption scheme, WEP , proved easy to crack; the second and third generation schemes, WPA and WPA2 , are considered secure if a strong enough password or passphrase is used. Some APs support hotspot style authentication using RADIUS and other authentication servers . Opinions about wireless network security vary widely. For example, in

1360-435: The limited number of frequencies becomes problematic in crowded downtown areas with tall buildings using multiple APs. In such an environment , signal overlap becomes an issue causing interference, which results in signal degradation and data errors. Wireless networking lags wired networking in terms of increasing bandwidth and throughput . While (as of 2013) high-density 256-QAM modulation, 3-antenna wireless devices for

1400-560: The program restrict devices from accessing unauthorized services or data to minimize exposure to potential cyber threats. By 2024, Apple had reportedly stopped accepting new routers into the program. HomeKit Secure Video is an API introduced in 2019 that offers enhanced privacy and security for cameras and video doorbells. It allows video from approved cameras to be encrypted and stored securely in iCloud . Users can also receive intelligent notifications based on specific activities, such as recognizing people, animals, or vehicles. Home Key

1440-527: The range of a network, including functioning as a printer and audio server. The model introduced in June 2012 includes two Ethernet ports: one WAN and one LAN. The AirPort Express uses an audio connector that combines a 3.5 mm minijack socket and a mini-TOSLINK optical digital transmitter, allowing connection to an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) or amplifier with internal DAC. Standard audio CDs ripped in iTunes into Apple Lossless format streamed to

1480-440: The signal by broadcasting on the same frequency, type of antenna , the current weather, operating radio frequency , and the power output of devices. Network designers can extend the range of APs through the use of repeaters , which amplify a radio signal, and reflectors , which only bounce it. In experimental conditions, wireless networking has operated over distances of several hundred kilometers. Most jurisdictions have only

1520-414: The speed of wireless communications comes from Wi-Fi 's use of a shared communications medium: Thus, two stations in infrastructure mode that are communicating with each other even over the same AP must have each and every frame transmitted twice: from the sender to the AP, then from the AP to the receiver. This approximately halves the effective bandwidth, so an AP is only able to use somewhat less than half

1560-552: Was delayed to fall 2022 due to "unprecedented interest" by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) . Version 1.0 of Matter was published on the October 4, 2022. Matter has been supported by Apple devices since iOS 16.1 and its forks. HomeKit currently supports the following device categories (an extended list): Garage doors, locks, security systems, and windows are categorized as secure appliances, and require

1600-422: Was not supported by Apple. The main processor of the 802.11g AirPort Express was a Broadcom BCM4712KFB wireless networking chipset, which incorporated a 200 MHz MIPS processor. The audio was handled by a Texas Instruments Burr-Brown PCM2705 16-bit digital-to-analog converter . An updated version (MB321LL/A, model A1264) supporting the faster 802.11 Draft-N draft specification and operation in either of

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