Apple Working on New iOS-Powered ‘Network Adapter,’ FCC Filings Reveal

A new “Network Adapter” from Apple that is powered by iOS has been spotted in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filings from earlier this week — reports 9to5Mac.

The new device, codenamed “A2657,” features two Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB-C port, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC antennas. In an absolute rarity for network adapters, the A2657 also comes with 1.5GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. A second variant of the device is equipped with a Lightning port instead of USB-C and only 1GB of RAM.

According to the FCC filings, Apple’s Network Adapter runs firmware “19F47,” an early internal version of iOS 15.5. Running iOS requires an Apple Silicon chip, so the device is bound to have one — presumably an A-series processor like the company’s 2022 Studio Display — despite it not being listed in the documents

Apple sent a sample unit of the device to the FCC for certtification on January 22, 2022. The regulator tested the new product connected to a MacBook Pro and an iMac. The filings also note that it is intended to be connected to a host computer and draw power through a USB-A port during normal use.

An FCC filing doesn’t guarantee that this new Network Adapter will ever be available to consumers — only that it exists.

Apple has many FCC-certified devices that are solely intended for internal use. However, one can’t help but wonder if these filings are a precursor to the resurgence of Apple’s AirPort wireless routers. Once the highest ranking wireless routers in customer satisfaction, Apple officially discontinued its AirPort Base Station lineup in 2018.

Would you like to see Apple revive its long-discontinued line of AirPort wireless routers? Let us know in the comments below.

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