New AirPort Extreme shows at FCC, gets part numbers
updated 07:35 am EDT, Tue June 21, 2011
New AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule get detailed
Apple's plans for new AirPort hardware were cemented Tuesday after an FCC filing showed a new AirPort Extreme station. Known just as the A1408, few details are available beyond that it would have a 3X3 antenna layout, likely to get 450Mbps peak speeds. Although the online Apple Store is still up as of early Tuesday morning, the FCC filings have the details due to go public the same day, suggesting Apple either launches now or in the very near future.
Separately, new leak of part numbers have outlined Apple's fuller plans. The new AirPort Extreme, just badged as a fifth-generation model, should get an MD031LL/A model name, 9to5 learned. Two fourth-generation Time Capsules are enroute and would start off with a 2TB model, the MD032LL/A, and a previously doubted 3TB MD033LL/A.
Not many details were divulged despite the part numbers, although they're expected to all drop in price compared to the $179, $299, and $399 prices of today. Still unconfirmed are rumors they might cache device updates to deliver them to hardware on the local network without needing repeat downloads.
