[GeekyBear]

Changing out the network protocol used for local network backups isn't the same thing as getting rid of local network backups.

TFA:

> Apple made SMB its primary file-sharing protocol in OS X 10.9 Mavericks, over 12 years ago, and has repeatedly told us that support for its predecessor AFP will be removed in the future.

[apparatur]

Hence "next". And by local I meant directly connected drives.

[dwaite]

If the pattern continues, they'll announce deprecation this fall and remove the feature in 2039.