It was a sad day when the hard drive in my Apple AirPort TimeCapsule finally died after 10 years and three international moves. Despite trying a range of Wi-Fi routers over the years, the Apple AirPort range delivered some of the best performance and was by far the easiest to connect.
Apple disbanded the AirPort team in 2016 and so now the only option for users is to buy a third-party Mesh network, like the ones offered by Linksys. I must admit, the Linksys Atlas Max 6E is an excellent router but I always hoped the AirPort would return. I just couldn't see how.
Despite my wishes, it seemed unlikely that Apple would do a 360 and bring AirPort back as a standalone product. Though after the launch of the Studio Display, maybe not impossible. However, I missed a potentially genius idea.
Mark Gurman at Bloomberg suggests a solution: put the AirPort technology into an Apple HomePod mini. This makes perfect sense. The idea of these small smart speakers is to have one in every room so that you can communicate with it easily and create multi-room audio. The other thing you need in pretty much the same place is a Mesh Wi-Fi node. So if your Mesh Wi-Fi node was your smart speaker it would be two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Netgear's Orbi does this already with Amazon Alexa and a Harman Kardon speaker built into its Mesh Wi-Fio extender, and Sonos uses its own closed mesh network to connect its speakers. I'm surprised Amazon hasn't done with its Echo and eero devices.
A HomePod with Mesh would definitely be a huge advantage to anyone looking to upgrade to a Mesh system as well as a reason to pick an Apple smart speaker over a Google, Amazon or Sonos. I don't think we'd be likely to see the return of a hard drive in there too like the AirPort Time Capsule, especially with a push to use iCloud. But I'd settle for just a return to that AirPort Utility app for connecting to my network any day.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
As T3's Editor-in-Chief, Mat Gallagher has his finger on the pulse for the latest advances in technology. He has written about technology since 2003 and after stints in Beijing, Hong Kong and Chicago is now based in the UK. He’s a true lover of gadgets, but especially anything that involves cameras, Apple, electric cars, musical instruments or travel.
-
I tried a sound healing relaxation class — here's my honest review
After hearing mixed reviews on sound therapy, I wanted to try it for myself
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
Apple’s HomePod with screen might not launch until 2025… but is it really needed?
If you want to get your hands on the HomePod with a screen, you could be waiting for a while…
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
I think these new smart lights are perfect for bringing the Xmas cheer
These new Hue lights and Nanoleaf shapes are the perfect way to brighten up your smart home
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
This Instant Pot Air Fryer could be the last kitchen gadget I'll ever buy
The latest Instant Pot looks like home cooking heaven
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
5 things I wish I'd known before buying Apple HomePod smart speakers
Apple's smart speakers sound fantastic – but there's still plenty of room for improvement
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
New Apple HomePod sounds like the smart speaker upgrade I crave
Apple's best smart speaker, the original HomePod, was discontinued. But it's coming back! Back! BACK!
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
No, Amazon, I don’t want Alexa to bring my relatives back from the dead
Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. This Alexa feature is too creepy for me
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Is a gas BBQ worth it? I'm an expert and here's my honest opinion
If you're thinking buying a gas BBQ then read this
By Robert Jones Published