Mikey Campbell
In a likely response to reports of 802.11ac Wi-Fi issues with its latest MacBook Air refresh, Apple late Friday began sending out invitations to select users, offering inclusion in the AppleSeed Program to test an upcoming Wi-Fi centric software update for the thin-and-light laptop.
People who received the email told AppleInsider that Apple will provide selected customers with a pre-release version of the "MacBook Air WiFi Update 1.0" to install and use on their new machines, asking that they give feedback on any bugs found during the testing process.
While not explicitly stated in the AppleSeed invite, it is thought that the update relates to recent Wi-Fi connectivity issues some customers have experienced with Apple's implementation of the fairly new 802.11ac wireless standard.
The recently-released 11- and 13-inch MacBook Airs are the first Macs to implement the fast wireless protocol which, when combined with the new AirPort Extreme or AirPort Time Capsule, can reach theoretical speeds of up to 1300Mbps.
Although the technology has promise, a growing number of owners have complained of throughput limitations related to 11ac, with some reports speculating the wireless stack in OS X is at least partially to blame.
A thread on Apple's Support Communities webpage appears to confirm the AppleSeed invitations, but offers little information on the software. Those who have already agreed to Apple's terms said the company has yet to activate the invitation codes or send out the software.
In December 2012, Apple released a similar Wi-Fi compatibility update for Mac two months following the debut of the MacBook Pro with Retina display. At the time, owners of the then-new machine complained of problems recognizing 802.11n networks in the 5GHz band.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
39 Comments
Well, it can be a good and logical thing to do, but it can also be a PR nightmare, unless they actually try to select people with some experience
i have same issue for new air wifi problem. Can i get the MacBook Air WiFi Update 1.0 to test my issue?
If you could let me reset the password for the coffee shop every few days when they change it, without going deep into Network Preferences into interface hell, then yeah. That'd be great.
Just one of the ways OS X's wifi treatment is generally the world's hardest to use & least reliable.
iOS, meanwhile, is among the best.
Are they not supposed to do this BEFORE they realise the new device?
Glad Apple is on it. I didn't have any doubts that Apple would fix it. I have that Wi-Fi problem as well, love my new 13" Haswell MB Air though. Go Apple!