Apple abandons developing its own wireless routers

Apple has disbanded its division that develops wireless routers, another move to try to sharpen the company’s focus on consumer products that generate the bulk of its revenue, say sources.

Apple began shutting down the wireless router team the past year, dispersing engineers to other product development groups, including the one handling the Apple TV.

Apple hasn’t refreshed its routers since 2013 following years of frequent updates to match new standards from the wireless industry.

The decision to disband the team indicates the company isn’t pushing forward with new versions of its routers. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the company’s plans.

Routers are access points that connect laptops, iPhones and other devices to the web without a cable. Apple currently sells three wireless routers, the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time capsule. The Time capsule doubles as a backup storage hard drive for Mac computers.

The products make up a small slice of Apple’s revenue and are part of Apple’s “other products”. The category, which includes the Apple Watch and Apple TV, generated $11.1bn (€10.47bn) in fiscal 2016, or about 5% of total sales.

Some features of the AirPort routers, including wireless music playback, require an Apple device like an iPhone or Mac computer. If the company no longer sells wireless routers, some may have a reason to use other phones and PCs.

The core of the technology in routers comes from chipmakers such as Broadcom that advance Wi-Fi technology through developing the fundamental components.

While router makers can differentiate the design of their products, the number of antennas and the software that controls them, they are reliant on advances first made by chipmakers.

Apple’s AirPorts have historically lagged behind those of companies such as D-Link, Netgear and Belkin International, which have rushed to adopt new standards.

Apple, which has charged more for its routers, has focused more on integrating control of its devices into its computer operating system and industrial design.