AirPort Utility Code Confirms Next-Gen WiFi Base Stations from Apple

Clear evidence of anticipated hardware refreshes has been uncovered in the latest AirPort Utility update which references a fifth generation AirPort Extreme base station, as well as a fourth-gen Time Capsule, the wireless hard drive and WiFi router from Apple.

9to5mac follows up on reports saying Apple was rumored to launch updated AirPort Extreme base stations and Time Capsules with what the blog believes is clear evidence of the refresh.

The blog’s staff has uncovered references to yet-unreleased AirPort Extremes and Time Capsules inside the code of Apple’s latest AirPort Utility update, on which we reported earlier today.

This code specifically references a 5th Generation AirPort Extreme with 802.11n wireless, and a 4th Generation Time Capsule with identical wireless capabilities.

But that’s not all. The code inside AirPort Utility 5.5.3 for Mac and Windows reinforces beliefs that Apple plans to include software update caching in future models of the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule.

A screenshot of the code in question clearly shows that software update caching will be available to any device connected to the respective network via AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule.

However, it is known that such code previously existed in AirPort Utility software, therefore it is difficult to pinpoint when Apple plans to roll out the capability.

For now, Apple is selling two versions of the AirPort WiFi base station. The Express model lets users wirelessly play music, share a printer, and carry out other indoor activities.

The Extreme version of AirPort lets users create a large, high-speed network and acts as a router with four Gigabit Ethernet ports. It is intended for larger homes, offices, and classrooms.

The Time Capsule does everything the AirPorts do, plus features a hard drive to which users can back up a lifetime of memories.