Apple Updates AirPort Express to 802.11n

Apple has updated its diminutive AirPort Express wireless base station to 802.11n, offering a very portable, high-bandwidth wireless gateway for just $99.

Apple has updated its Airport Express wireless base station to 802.11n, offering up to twice the range and five times the performance of previous 802.11g models while keeping the base station at its attractive $99 price point. The AirPort Express has proven popular with travelers and other mobile users for its diminutive size and portability; home users also appreciate its built-in USB printer sharing feature and AirTunes, the ability to stream music from a Mac or PC with iTunes to a home stereo.

“Apple is leading the way with a broad range of innovative 802.11n base stations for almost any wireless networking need,” said Apple’s senior VP of worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller, in a statement.

The AirPort Express weighs just 6.7 ounces and more-than-slightly resembles a power adapter that might come with an Apple notebook computer. The AirPort Express supports up to 10 simultaneous wireless users, and supports WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP encryptions, and offers a built-in firewall. The unit also sports a combined digital/analog audio connector for attaching a home stereo or home theater system to the AirPort Express; iTunes will automatically detect AirTunes enables base stations as remote speakers and offer to let user stream music to them using a pop-up menu within the application.

The 802.11n-enabled AirPort Express joins Apple’s AirPort Extreme base station (which supports up to 50 users) and Apple’s Time Capsule wireless backup solution, both of which already support 802.11n wireless networking.