Included with the report saying “Apple Updates Consumer Desktop Line,” the company behind the Mac operating system also announced that its AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi base station and Time Capsule now feature simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band networking for optimal performance, range and compatibility.

In the report, Apple claims to have included an innovative Guest Network feature that allows setting up a secondary network for friends and visitors with Internet-only access so you don’t have to hand out your Wi-Fi password. As many of you should know, Time Capsule combines an 802.11n router and server-grade storage capabilities for automatic wireless back-up with Time Machine. The new device is immediately available in two models: 500GB for $299 and 1TB for $499. The new AirPort Extreme Base Station can be acquired for $179.

“The sleek, easy-to-use AirPort Extreme Base Station with simultaneous dual-band support is the perfect wireless access point for home, school, or small business,” Apple says. “It offers fast, 802.11n Wi-Fi access for Mac computers, PCs, and Wi-Fi devices such as iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV.1,” goes the company's description.

Upon purchase, you will find in the box the AirPort Extreme Base Station, CD with AirPort Utility (Mac and Windows), AirPort Disk Utility for Mac OS X v10.4 and Windows, 802.11n Enabler for Mac OS X v10.4, and Bonjour for Windows, the power cable, as well as printed and electronic documentation.

AirPort Extreme Base Station features:

Easy wireless networking
Simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi (new)
Guest networking (new)
Print without wires
Share your hard drive
Strong security and access control
Works with iPhone, Apple TV and more.

As for Time Capsule, Apple's high-end backup and networking solution allows users to “back up a lifetime's worth of memories.” According to Apple, Time Capsule is “a wireless hard drive that works seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X Leopard. It’s also a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station with simultaneous dual-band support.”

What's in the Box? Well, the Time Capsule, of course, the usual extras, including CD with AirPort Utility (Mac and Windows), AirPort Disk Utility for Mac OS X v10.4 and Windows, 802.11n Enabler for Mac OS X v10.4, and Bonjour for Windows, power cord, and printed and electronic documentation.

Main Features of Time Capsule include:

Automatic backup with Time Machine
Server-grade storage
Easy wireless networking
Simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi (new)
Guest networking (new)
Wireless drive sharing
Print without wires
Strong security and access controls
Works with iPhone, Apple TV and more.

Visit the Apple store here and here to learn more about the updated AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule.