A placeholder on the Apple Australia online store lists an "Unwired Airport Express Bundle" for $168 that's due to begin shipping sometime in the next two to three weeks. The listing, which isn't visible on the company's other online stores, includes a photo of a generic parcel package, suggesting the contents may not be entirely Apple's.
One possibility suggested by Australian Mac users is that Apple has agreed to resell service or modems from local over-the-air Internet provider Unwired alongside its most compact WiFi router. The Sydney-based firm is in the process of building a nationwide, fixed wireless telecommunications network offering carrier grade Internet services.
The service, currently available in Sydney and Melbourne, make use of a wireless network using base towers that broadcast a radio wave signal, offering speeds between 256K to 1Mbps without the need for a phone or data line. Monthly service plans range from $20 to $100 depending on bandwidth allowance and speeds.
"Travel anywhere within our coverage area and have the convenience of instant internet access at no extra cost," reads a description of the service on Unwired's website. "Take your modem from home to work, or take your work to the beach. Bring your internet connection to Uni, School, the library, or even browse through your favourite websites at your local café."
Word of the bundle surfaced a couple of weeks after one a member of the whirlpool forums suggested Australian Mac users not purchase any of the company's existing AirPort express products because he'd learned through his employer that "there will be new Airport Extreme and Airport Express within the next few weeks."
It's unclear if the two rumors are related.
17 Comments
Umm... no firewire = no sale?
Unwired is slow and unreliable. In Australia, 3G is faster (Telstra's now up to 21Mbit/s HSPA), and offers way more coverage than the patchy inner metro coverage Unwired offers. (Telstra covers 99% of the population and Optus will cover 98% by the end of the year)
Unwired uses 3.5GHz which has poor coverage characteristics which contribute to the problem. Look at whirlpool for the mountain of complaints.....
It's odd that Apple would be partnering with them...
Apple USA has run out of Airport Extremes online and with their distributor in the past week. This suggests a new product is in the pipeline.
Airport Express + AT&T Microcell
Apple USA has run out of Airport Extremes online and with their distributor in the past week. This suggests a new product is in the pipeline.
Yeah, I noticed on Amazon as I was just about to buy one! So wassup?