Apple to unveil 802.11n Airport Extreme X2, X4 at Macworld?

Alright, deep breaths, we might have us some actual pre-Macworld Apple news here, and we don't want anybody passing out on us. It looks like Apple is indeed hopping on board the 802.11n bandwagon, with its own draft-N devices going by the name of Airport Extreme X2 and X4. We're not positive what's the difference between the two versions (though we're sure X4 will be bringing twice the Xtreem of its counterpart) but it could have something to do with that DualBand 802.11n technology which showed up in Linksys' new WRT600N, with 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency support to bust up on interference -- just a guess though. This news comes to us courtesy of a loose-lipped Macworld Expo "Advanced Wireless" session description, so it could very well be one of strongest rumors we've heard yet of an actual Macworld product launch from Apple -- let's just hope there's at least one more thing.

[Via Digg]

[Nate @ Jan 8th 2007 9:43PM]

Wait what?

[Matt @ Jan 8th 2007 9:43PM]

"...bringing twice the Xtreem of its counterpart..."



spelling?

[LoganT @ Jan 8th 2007 9:58PM]

This better not be their "one more thing".

[Devon @ Jan 8th 2007 10:00PM]

dont they already have draft n wireless in their imac/new macbooks just no support yet?

[nicleT @ Jan 8th 2007 10:05PM]

X2 : Airport Express upgrade?
X4 : Airport Extreme upgrade?

Is it god possible!?!

[Aaron @ Jan 8th 2007 10:06PM]

That's not the big news. Apple's iPhone confirmed by the WSJ:

http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/breaking-apple-cingular-to-team-on-mvno-phone-service-wsj/#When:01:52:00Z

[kevin @ Jan 8th 2007 10:38PM]

but getting it from the computer to the router? im confused how this will help the iTV receive the video faster if the network cards on the mac wont shoot out the video fast enough. unless there are network cards upgrades in newer macs. if that happens im screwed and I will be pissed!

Apple will alienate alot of mac users if they use different network cards and to me doing so would not be a smart business decision because a large bulk of the iTV buyers would be current mac owners. Faster wifi is always nice though!

[Tom Condon @ Jan 8th 2007 11:06PM]

If the rumor is true, its a simple guess that X2, X4 mean that it will be 2x or 4x faster than 802.11g. Just my wild guess.

[LittleJoe @ Jan 8th 2007 11:15PM]

I just cant wait to be able to use an apple router again. This d-link has been driving me up the wall.

[Dave @ Jan 8th 2007 11:17PM]

Why is the n-spec taking so long?

[Ryan @ Jan 8th 2007 11:21PM]

Erm, I think new Macs all have GigE. You should be ok for streaming. Even 100Mbit can cope with DVD streaming (DVD bitrates are typically 4-8Mbit/sec). Someone's already noted that Macbook/MBPs have a new Broadcom wireless module rumoured to be compatible with 802.11n.

[Leonard Nimrod @ Jan 8th 2007 11:35PM]

All Macs have had 1000 Base-T for a couple years now. Even the low-end MacBooks, something you won't find on most similarly prices notebooks.

[maddox @ Jan 9th 2007 2:43AM]

Here it is.

A bombshell.

I have the name Apple will use to market iTV.

Are you ready?

"iPod".

Think I'm dreaming?

Look at the pictures of the back of the device and tell me if you don't think
that Apple could cram all of those (ethernet? WTF?) into a simple dock connector.
Later (and I'll admit brilliantly), Apple will make a killing in their retail stores selling
all the cables you will be using to hook up your iPod to your TV. Did you know that
cables have more if not the most profit margin at your friendly neighborhood Apple store?

Oh, and One More Thing (he smiles coyly):

This beauty will sync wirelessly over your 802.11x ("N"?) connection.
or your "B", "G", whatever-this-is-a-bad-mofo!!!

There you have it. Clever, Apple.

with that whole "we will think of another name" ploy.

I guess the real question(s) are:

- Will Apple change the form factor?

- Is this the only reason Steve is so Happy?

It all falls into place from here.

im.

(now discuss) ; )

[xxdesmus @ Jan 9th 2007 9:41AM]

Woohoo! Apple is going to introduce technology that has already been available for months!

Way to go Apple!