O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: routers

  • Rumor: Apple could bring AirPort base station technology to forthcoming HomePod, Apple TV, and smart home products

    Rumor: Apple could bring AirPort base station technology to forthcoming HomePod, Apple TV, and smart home products

    Apple’s AirPort base station Wi-Fi routers, which were prevalent in the 2000s and 2010s and were later discontinued in 2018, could return as part of the company’s HomePod and Apple TV line.

    Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it was noted back in December that Apple was developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that will debut in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models later this year. Gurman stated that the chip is “so sophisticated” that it could “theoretically” turn these devices into a wireless access point.

    With Apple looking to make a bigger push into smart home products, and the company reportedly designing a smart home hub for release later this year, this might be likely. Apple is also said to be planning a HomeKit-enabled smart home camera that can connect to the hub, and together, the products could serve as a home security system.

    Apple’s chip will purportedly support Wi-Fi 6E, whereas the final AirPort models supported what is referred to as the Wi-Fi 5 protocol. Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu believes the chip will actually support Wi-Fi 7.

    It’s unknown as to what the timeline or release date for these products will end up being.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Bloomberg

  • BT to offer 5G connectivity anywhere in the UK by 2028, will terminate 3G network in 2023

    BT to offer 5G connectivity anywhere in the UK by 2028, will terminate 3G network in 2023

    British wireless carrier BT announced on Wednesday that EE will offer 5G connectivity anywhere in the UK by 2028.

    3G services offered by EE, BT Mobile, and Plusnet will be phased out by 2023, by which time the company will have built a new 5G core network. 3G usage has been in steady decline in recent years, now representing less than two percent of all data traffic over the EE network. The legacy 3G spectrum will be used to enhance 5G capacity in the future.

    BT stated that by the mid-2020s, the company will fully integrate fiber, Wi-Fi, and mobile network infrastructure for more secure and reliable connectivity.

    EE will expand the company’s 4G connectivity deeper into rural areas, adding over 4,500 square miles of new coverage by 2025. The company’s 5G network, which launch in 2019, will grow to cover half of the UK population by early 2023. 5G is expected to surpass the geographic reach of 4G to become the UK’s largest digital network by 2028, providing a signal to over 90 percent of the UK’s landmass.

    BT also stated that it will deploy its recently obtained 700MHz 5G spectrum to the majority of EE sites. The company will use Neutral Host systems to better offer 4G and 5G coverage in busy environments such as airports, stadiums, and campuses. Portable cells in a fleet of rapid response vehicles will provide temporary mobile connectivity to customers when they need it, and BT is also intending to use more air and space technologies, including drones and Low Earth Orbit satellites, having signed an early agreement with satellite internet company OneWeb last month. 

    If you’ve been on the other side of the pond and can offer feedback as to BT’s services, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors and newsroom.bt.com

  • Wi-Fi, similar signals don’t cause cancer

    And now for a bit of good news: Apparently Wi-Fi and similar signals don’t cause cancer.

    Per an article over on HowStuffWorks, everyday devices such as Wi-Fi routers, smartphones, tablets, and computers are unable to cause cancer, and would be unable to do so without rewriting the basic laws of physics and biology.

    The piece, which cites credible sources like the American Cancer Society, there have been two types of studies that look at RF radiation: Ones that observe human cancer rates and others involving lab animals. The human studies haven’t found a link between increased cancer rates and people exposed to a significant amount of RF radiation.

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  • Apple officially discontinues development of AirPort hardware, will sell through remaining stock via online and retail channels

    As much as you and I may love Apple’s AirPort routers, as of Thursday, they’re now on the company’s discontinued hardware list.

    Late last week, Apple officially ceased development of its AirPort Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Express.

    Apple has confirmed the move, wherein the company will continue to sell its remaining stock through the online and retail Apple store until supplies last.

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  • WikiLeaks releases 8,700+ CIA-related documents, show agency efforts towards hacking Android systems, iPhones, operating systems and smart TVs

    This is pretty much one for the ages.

    WikiLeaks has released more than 8,700 documents that have apparently originated from the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence, with some of the leaks saying the agency had 24 “weaponized” and previously undisclosed exploits for the Android operating system as of 2016.

    Some of the Android-specific exploits were developed by the CIA, while others hailed from the U.S. National Security Agency, U.K. intelligence agency GCHQ, and cyber arms dealers.

    Among the smartphone-related tools developed by the CIA were assets that allow the agency to bypass encryption found in WhatsApp, Confide and other applications known to use encryption. These tools, according to WikiLeaks analysis, capture audio and message traffic before encryption has a chance to be applied.

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