Apple is famous for constantly advancing into the future, requiring customers to make the leap from an ancient OS 9 to a Unix-based OS X operating system, accepting the loss of floppy disks, and making the leap from Motorola to Intel processors. Now the retail stores may be on the cusp of forcing another change, as some stores are swapping out gear that uses only the latest Wi-Fi technical standard, cutting lose visitors with computers still using the previous standards that are up to 10 years-old. Apple debuted Wi-Fi in 1999 as AirPort for its new iBooks just after the 802.11ab standard was adopted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The 802.11g standard was adopted in 2003, and first used by Apple as Airport Extreme in Powerbooks that year. Apple and other technology companies began using a draft 802.11n standard for its products in 2007, a specification that the IEEE should fully adopt by this November. According to visitors, some stores have configured their Wi-Fi gear, leaving only the “n” Wi-Fi accessible for laptop visitors to the stores.
Here’s the AirPort Extreme set-up screen, showing the four configuration possibilities. It seems that Apple wants to move to one of the “802.11n only” modes, which would leave behind certain legacy users who visit the store to browse the Web or check their e-mail.
Update: In early March 2009 Apple watchers noted that the FCC had granted certification for updated AirPort and Time Capsule gear that would allow simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz operation, thereby allowing use of both 802.11b/g and 802.11n gear at the same time. Current Apple Wi-Fi access points allow only one frequency to be in operation at a time.
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Not sure where you’re getting your info, but only 802.11a would be affected by this. 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b devices.
Shmoe – Thanks for the feedback. I’ve edited the story to be clearer. There are several ways to configure 802.11n, and it sounds like Apple is migrating to the “non-compatibility” mode, using the “n”-only standard. As Ian points out, some stores are still configuring their Wi-Fi with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels, which could still allow access to laptop users using gear that supports the previous standards.
The Friendly Center store is running both frequencies, “Apple Store” network on 2.4GHz (so, g and possibly b) and “Apple Demo” on 5GHz (n).
Its worth pointing out, though, that you can run a “g-only” network that won’t accept the slower b clients.
More likely answer is that one (or more) stores have their base stations set up wrong. It’s generally some 19-year-old part time Specialist that sets them up so the chances of being fucked up are fairly good. There is no official Apple plot to phase out 802.11b in the stores.
This would kinda put iPhones out of the loop, no?
and iPod Touches too…
Sounds unlikely to me simply due to the number of people they’d piss off. If there’s one place in the world that they _don’t_ want to be a leading innovator (reducing compatibility just for the heck of it), I would think it’d be at their profile-defining public-facing retail stores.
.11a being cut out I could understand but .11b and g, I’d take a second look at….
Since the iPhone isn’t 802.11n capable don’t you think it’s just more likely that it was accidentally misconfigured?
I don’t believe this. The iPod Touch and the iPhone don’t support 802.11n. And the iPhone will demo best if they have WiFi instead of Edge or 3G. (And they can’t necessarily depend on perfect 3G coverage in the stores).
Gary, I think your info is bad. I agree with some folks who have already posted — it’s more likely that the stores you’re getting your data from have malfunctioning or incorrectly configured base stations. According to our latest direction, there should be the same two networks mentioned above. Apple Store should be b/g (for iPhones and iPod touch demos, also for customers with older machines and also those who already have this SSID saved), and Apple Demo for n-only for speed (for all demo Macs on the wi-fi and of course for customer use if customers have compatible equipment). Until iPods touch go 802.11n, there’s no way a b/g compatible network will disappear.
I think I know what’s going on here.
Apple Stores typically run two separate networks, one running at 2.4ghz b/g and one running at 5ghz a/n. At least, I have never seen a store not using this configuration.
What probably happened is the 2.4ghz network at that store that these “visitors” were reporting from was either down or temporarily disabled. Anyone who owns one knows that Airport base stations are particularly fickle, especially with large amounts of usage.
I suspect The Big Guy set the network incorrectly.
For one of my older computers, an older G4 MacMini, I went and bought an Edimax “N” style wireless USB adapter in order to transfer files at higher speed with my Apple Airport Wireless “N” router. For occasional compatibility use with even older Macs, I just change the Airport router compatibility setting when needed.
I’m sure the Apple stores could easily afford to have a couple of routers to handle both types of connections.
Not much point in complaining about ancient hardware compatibility. Buy an “N” adapter or get with the program with a new Mac. Users have to move forward with upgraded hardware at some point in time.
The current Mac mini also is not 802.11n ready.
@Bradley Dichter
Good point! Though we have the demo Mac mini at our store on Ethernet, not Wi-Fi.
Not possible. Many store-use computers (behind the scenes) don’t even have N.
this isnt possible. iphones and ipod touches dont support 802.11n. so apple stores have to keep their networks backwards compatible
if this is true it wouldn’t be ok!
802.11g is still VERy much needed, iPhones are b/g only!
@ home i have one wifi network setup @ 802.11n only and one @ 802.11g only…
but for apple to ignore customers with 802.11g is plain wrong, 90% of customers wanting to use wifi in an apple store will use the 802.11g…!!!
i agree with Ockham! i think some apple store employee messed up, big time!!! this is so typical, not of apple, but of technology… some idiot always get’s it wrong somehow…
Does anyone know what hardware drives the wireless LANs at the Apple Retail stores?
The AirPort extreme product site says it only supports up to 50 users, which I’m sure that number can be exceeded at one time on a busy day in the store. Could Apple possibly use some beefier 802.11 hardware in their stores? Cisco? Something else?