2024-01-11 15:01:26
Few remember it, but Apple put a “UFO” on sale that marked a revolution in our homes
We are in 1999. Apple launches the last year of the 20th century with the keynote from Macworld, in which he remembers how he managed to break the mold with the original iMac and repeats the move by bringing that revolution with the first iBook. With that alone the public is already surprised, but Steve Jobs goes further.
Suddenly, the CEO of Apple surprises everyone by showing that the iBook is capable of loading Internet content without cable. He demonstrates it by moving a hula-hoop around him to the applause of a very enthusiastic audience. For the time, something groundbreaking that It was achieved with what at that time was called ‘flying saucer’.
Apple’s first AirPort laid the foundation for modern routers
You can see the moment of Jobs moving a hula-hoop starting at minute 14:30 of the event video, it is one of my favorite Steve moments:
It’s normal that the public went crazy like that. 25 years ago, WiFi was more legend than reality, and suddenly Apple brought it to all our laptops. From one day to the next, we were free of the “anchor” that the Ethernet port represented. We could surf the Internet in any corner of the home where coverage could reach.
In order to make this possible, Jobs presented right after the first AirPort. At minute 17:00 you can see it, looking like a UFO. I’m not just saying this, Apple knew it and took advantage of it in the first announcement:
It offered connectivity via telephone cable, to be able to use a classic 56K modem; and it also had an Ethernet connection of up to 100 Mbits/s for those who had the fastest connections of the time. In short, it was one of the first home WiFi access points. And what brought the first experience with WiFi to many Apple users.
For the time, it was a revolution. From then on, Apple provided the rest of its Macs with a WiFi receiver, including its desktops. This meant that in many homes, iMacs also ended up being placed in various places in the house. It was no longer necessary to set up an office around where the operator placed the internet connection point.
An ending that not all of us yet understand
This first AirPort led to a whole range of WiFi access products that were increasingly more powerful and capable of taking care of the backup copies of all Macs. Until Apple made the decision to withdraw all of these products from sale. We all got a surprise.
There are several reasons for Apple to take such a turn in its plans, but there are users who continue to use them today for compelling reasons. Even if they are obsolete, even if Apple is no longer officially supported. A sign that AirPorts They have left their mark beyond providing us with connectivity.
Image | Mac Adress
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