Early Friday, Apple released AirPort Base Station and Time Capsule Firmware Update 7.6 for its AirPort Express, 802.11n AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule models.

The update, a 4.6 megabyte download, provides fixes for the following:
- An issue with performance on overlapping wireless networks.

- An issue with AirPlay audio streaming.

- An issue with configuring multiple entries for DNS servers.

To install the update, use the following steps:
- Open AirPort Utility (in your /Applications/Utilities folder). If there are no other important issues displayed, the base station in need of an update will be selected and the version information will be displayed).

- Click “Update Firmware”.

- Follow the prompts.

The update takes about two minutes to install and reboot the device from there and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later to install and run.

If you’ve tried the firmware update and noticed any major changes, please let us know in the comments.

Apple on Tuesday quietly released new models of Time Capsule, its combination backup drive and wireless base station.The new Time Capsules are available in 2TB and 3TB capacities—previously, Time Capsule had topped out at 2TB.

Per Macworld, the new Time Capsules still use the 802.11n Wi-Fi networking standard, with dual-band operation available for 802.11b/g devices like the iPhone and iPod touch. Other than the boosted hard drive capacities, it doesn’t appear the new Time Capsules boast any new features.

The 2TB Time Capsule retails for US$299 while the 3TB model sells for US$499; those prices are unchanged from the previous 1TB and 2TB offerings, respectively.

If you’ve tried the new Time Capsule units and have any feedback to offer, let us know.

It may be a small update, but it could mean something more.

Per AppleInsider, a routine update to Apple’s Airport Utility application contains references to new 4th generation Time Capsule and 5th generation AirPort Extreme devices, according to a new report.

After Apple released the AirPort Utility 5.5.3 update for Windows and Mac on Monday, device listings were uncovered in the update’s binary, MacRumors reports. Apple’s documentation for the 10MB downloads lists only that it “resolves an issue that caused the AirPort Utitlity to unexpectedly quit during setup.”

Of particular interest are listings for “K31 K30B Time Capsule (Simultaneous Dual-Band, Gen3)” and “K10B Apple AirPort Extreme (Simultaneous Dual-Band, Gen3).” Elsewhere in the code for the utility, the rumored devices are reportedly listed as “Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Generation)” and “AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Generation).”

Apple’s current simultaneous dual-band AirPort products, which were last updated in October 2009, are described as “Gen2.”

Recent reports have suggested that available stock of Apple’s AirPort and Time Capsule wireless base stations has dwindled ahead of a product update. The latest rumors claim Apple may shift the base stations to run iOS.

iOS-based AirPort base stations could allow for more robust features, such as print and media streaming services, integration with iCloud, and cached wireless software updates. Code references in AirPort Utility seem to support the likelihood of software update caching, according to people familiar with the matter.

Also, indications that Apple is working on wireless drivers for non-Intel CPUs may point to the possibility that Apple plans to enable iOS devices to setup and configure new AirPort or Time Capsule devices without the help of a Mac or Windows PC. Such a move could align with Apple’s Post PC strategy, as the company recently revealed that the forthcoming iOS 5 has been designed to be “PC Free” by way of wireless activation, syncing and backup.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

You either love or hate the Time Capsule, but when the unit shuts down unexpectedly or doesn’t power on at all, you tend to land on the side of hating it a bit more.

Per Macworld and a recent Knowledge Base article, Apple is offering a replacement program on Time Capsule models sold between Feburary and June 2008. The company says affected models of its backup device may shut down unexpectedly or may no longer power on.

Apple’ss advisory is not an official recall, per se, the company is only asking for those with affected units, rather than every device within the time frame. The Knowledge Base article covers Time Capsules with serial numbers XX807XXXXXX – XX814XXXXXX.

According to the company, devices that fall into the serial number range and time frame can be brought into an Apple Store or other Authorized Retailer, where, if the problem is confirmed by the staff, Apple will repair or replace it free of charge. If you want to keep the data from the hard drive, Apple’s official word on the matter is that it will provide “options depending on where you live.” Users in the U.S. and Japan are advised to mail the device to Apple and turnaround time is estimated at “3 to 5 days”, whereas all other countries can have data transferred from the old Time Capsule to the replacement in-store. Of course, if you have the ability to transfer the data to another hard drive yourself, it might be the better option.

If you had this issue earlier, and paid for a repair or replacement Time Capsule, Apple advises you to call the company to discuss a possible refund.

Now, if your Time Capsule falls within the range of dates and serial numbers, but isn’t exhibiting any symptoms, there’s no need to rush to a Genius Bar just yet. This replacement program covers affected models three years from the original date of purchase, so if the Time Capsule you bought in February 2008 starts having power issues in a few months, you’ll have until 2011 to bring it in. And if your device falls outside the range but is exhibiting similar issues, it can’t hurt to get it checked out: Apple says it will “evaluate the service data and will provide further updates to the program if needed.”

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Apple released an anticipated Time Capsule router router with an integrated two terabyte hard drive on Thursday, the new unit selling for US$499 while the previous generation one terabyte model is now available for US$299, per AppleInsider.

Earlier this year, Apple introduced new AirPort Extremes and Time Capsules with dual-band support. The new models allow simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band networking. With dual-band, base stations can simultaneously support iPhones and other 802.11b/g devices operating at 2.4 GHz, while also broadcasting 802.11n wide signals in the 5GHz band to maximize throughput for notebooks and devices such as Apple TV.

Time Capsule pairs the existing AirPort Extreme with a hard drive to serve as a backup appliance for Leopard machines running Time Machine, in addition to acting as a simple file and print server. It is offered for both Mac and Windows users, although Windows PCs (or Macs not running Leopard) won’t have Time Machine and therefore will access it only as a regular file and print server.

In the category of “it should be working perfectly forever but isn’t”, a number of users have reported that their Time Capsule units are dropping Internet connections during the backup process. According to MacFixIt, the AirPort Utility does not see the Time Capsule during the dropped out period. Even so, the backup continues and completes despite the Internet connection not working. Time Capsules may also be dropping Internet connections more frequently than during backup sessions as multiple users report anywhere from 5 minute to 30-minute increments between drops.
One user, identified as “Zzooomm”, described the situation as follows:

“Time Capsule V7.4.1 loses Internet/Wireless Connection with my MacBookPro2,2 Core 2 Duo 10.5.6 during backup. It appears the backup continues successfully. Opening Airport Utility shows my second Airport Extreme but not the Time Capsule. Within 10 minutes of completing the backup, the TC reappears. Suggestions?”

Strangely enough and on an apparently-unrelated note, Apple has acknowledged that the Real Player Downloader has been causing communications complications between airport cards and Time Capsules. To repair this, head over to System Preferences, Accounts, Login Items, highlight the RP Downloader and click the (-) button. This is a solution that many of the users on the discussion threads acknowledge solves the issue.
If you do not have the Real Player Downloader installed and are still having problems, be sure you have Apple’s latest update to the Time Capsule firmware, 7.4.1. If you do not have it, download the update from Apple and install it.
If you have the firmware updated and do not have Real Player Downloader installed and are still having issues, try resetting your Time Capsule following instructions in the User’s Manual or read this Apple Knowledge Base article.
If you’ve seen this issue on your end or have an opinion to offer on it, let us know in the comments or forums.

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