Hoping for an Apple WLAN router: Will Proxima make a comeback?

Reports about Apple's in-house development of a new wireless chip are currently fueling hopes that the iPhone manufacturer could sell Wi-Fi base stations again in the future. The radio chip, called Proxima, is said to be able to turn devices such as an Apple TV or a HomePod into a Wi-Fi router, reports the US news agency Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources within the company.

Apple exited the Wi-Fi router business almost seven years ago, in April 2018. At the time, the company confirmed the end of its Wi-Fi base stations. Apple launched its first AirPort base station on the market in 1999. The last update was in 2013, before the products were discontinued five years later.

Not too much hope for routers

However, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman is not holding out too much hope for a new router. The Proxima chip "theoretically" offers the possibility, he emphasizes, citing Google as an example, which has already brought out a mixture of smart speaker and Wi-Fi router. Apple could also offer something similar with the new chip if it wanted to. However, Apple is allegedly working on something else that could potentially be used as a Wi-Fi router –, although no details are given as to what this could be.

For some time now, rumors have been swirling that Apple is planning a major smart home offensive, largely originating from Gurman. In this context, the networking of devices could also become more of a focus for the iPhone manufacturer, while the Californians have apparently seen no need to offer their own solution in the Wi-Fi product market. The Apple TV can already be used as a Thread Border Router to connect smart home devices that support the Thread protocol.

However, the focus of the Proxima chip would primarily be to better connect the company's own devices via Wi-Fi. In addition to an upcoming Apple TV and HomePods, its use is also planned in the iPhone 17 and in upcoming Mac models.

(mki)