[bubblethink]

>You will be able to do a lot more with your router and they have quick security fixes

Just a counter point to this. Lede on its own doesn't have a very smooth in place upgrade system. If you are in the loop, sure you can do upgrades, but most people would never log in to their routers after setting it up. I think something like google wifi is not a bad solution either, with the obvious privacy tradeoff. It runs chromium os, and will update reliably on its own.

[ktta]

I realize people's opinions differ on this, but having Google's wifi router is one of the most privacy compromising things one can do.

Security wise, sure, great idea. But there's so much data to collect at the router level. From wireless MAC addresses (which it already does), and to every single IP address visited by every device in the household.

I might sound paranoid, but with continuous news of Google's privacy intrusive choices on Android, iOS etc. I will not trust them with that data, ever.

[taneq]

This is one of those things where the language is being deliberately twisted. "Secure" means "only people you authorise can see the data", but now it's assumed that you authorise Google (or other provider) implicitly.

[ksec]

Apple Airport is probably the best router I have ever owned. Not the fastest, but extremely Stable, based on NetBSD and from a company that makes money on my hardware rather then my Data.

I really hope they will have an 802.11ax version once they iron out all the crap that is going on in there.

[mort96]

My biggest issue with Apple routers is that you _need_ an Apple device to do anything with them.

I have an AirPort Extreme, and while I'm not opposed to having Apple devices, I also don't exclusively buy from them, but rather what I deem to be the best product for my purposes at the time of purchase. That currently means an iPhone, an iPad, and a Dell laptop running Linux, but has in the past included both Apple laptops and Android phones and tablets. Because of my choice of router, I need to make sure that I always have at least one Apple device, preferably as a main device for convenience (because running a server means I need to mess with ports now and then).

A simple web interface would've solved this. They could still have their own app to make it just as user friendly for people who don't have an Apple device immediately at hand.

I will likely never buy a Mac again becauss I absolutely need Linux, and they're making their Macs worse and worse for Linux. I plan to eventually replace my need for a tablet with one of those Dell XPS convertible machines with a touch screen. That means there will come a time when I need to choose between letting the router be a factor in what phone I buy, or get a new, non-Apple router, and that kinda sucks.

[johnbellone]

I can’t attest to how well it works, but the Airport Utility is available on Windows. This obviously doesn’t help you if you are looking to manage using an Android or Chrome device.

[mort96]

I have used that a tiny bit in the past (many years ago), and while not great, it works. However, it's abandoned, with the most recent version being released in 2012, and only officially supports Windows 7.

Besides, the only system I have with Windows is my gaming desktop, and that's only runnin Windows because there's a couple of games I play which don't support Linux. My laptop runs Linux, and while it's not running Overwatch, my gaming desktop is running Linux.

I think a more likely solution is to just keep an iOS device around while router is in use.

[Drisc0]

I've had good luck running the windows airport utility in wine if that's all that's holding you back.

[cesarb]

We've used Apple Airport access points at a previous company, and while they work great, they are a pain to configure: you have to either interrupt a Mac-using coworker and use his machine, or try the more limited Windows version of the software on Wine and hope it works.

[aneidon]

hate to break it to you: https://9to5mac.com/2016/11/21/apple-reportedly-stops-develo...

[ksec]

1. Mark Gurman, ever since he started working in Bloomberg his source or material has been either late or inaccurate.

2. The correct report was Router team folded into Apple TV team. Sounds like Apple TV adding router function to me.

3. Apple is still selling Airport, and stocks level are still very healthy. i.e No signs or discontinue.

[kalleboo]

Apple Airports are also not compatible with all network configurations - it would not work with my fiber connection due to the MTU, and I had to buy a router from another brand.

[gcb0]

good old apple: it just works, for very light and simple amounts of work.

[xyzzy_plugh]

Chromium updates require a reboot to take effect, right? How does Google WiFi reliably update without service interruptions?

[bubblethink]

Kernel updates do need a reboot. That's there for any linux based device. There are some improvements in kernel live patching. Not saying that google wifi, or any router uses them.

[King-Aaron]

I don't use the device so this is purely speculation, though I would assume they'd have configurable setting to push/apply updates at off-peak / night times?