Apple axes AirPort WiFi travel routers, Time Capsule backup drives

Apple is discontinuing its line of AirPort WiFi routers, which includes the travel-friendly AirPort Express and the built-for-backups AirPort Time Capsule hard drive.

Also for the chop is the longer-range AirPort Extreme 'hero product'.

Apple introduced the then-revolutionary AirPort technology in mid-1999 to make it easier for laptops and desktops to create and connect to home or office WiFi networks.

However, the company has not updated the AirPort range for some five years.

A statement issued by Apple says "we’re discontinuing the Apple AirPort base station products. They will be available through Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers while supplies last."

Apple appeared to abandon development of the routers in late 2016 when it disbanded the team responsible for their development. The products were a slim part of Apple’s revenue and their demise won’t have a meaningful impact on the company.

Meanwhile, Apple has begun selling wireless routers from other brands.

Apple rarely discontinues product categories. The last line to be dropped was external computer monitors, and Apple has already said it would go back to designing its own in the near future.