Not all the updates in Lion are huge, world-altering features, but for those switching from Windows to Mac, this one might make life a little easier. Apple appears to be dropping "Airport" from its preferred vocabulary, instead adopting the more widespread "Wi-Fi".

Airport vs. Wi-Fi: Before and After
Left: Snow Leopard, Right: Lion

Apple Stores have been running low on AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and Time Capsule wireless base stations recently and new devices have been anticipated for several weeks. It is possible that a name change will accompany a product refresh.

Wi-Fi has been the preferred term for wireless internet connectivity for most of the tech world , and, notably, iOS applications, for a long time, but AirPort has been Apple's name for the various 802.11 standards since 1999 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iBook with Wi-Fi capabilities.

The AirPort name has never really been used outside Apple, but the term Wi-Fi has become more and more popular over the years and it seems Apple has finally acquiesced to popular vernacular.

Thanks Oded!

Top Rated Comments

odedia Avatar
157 months ago
You're welcome! :)
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skika Avatar
157 months ago
I like AirPort :(
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kolax Avatar
157 months ago
Prefer WiFi to Wi-Fi.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rodimus Prime Avatar
157 months ago
took them long enough. I have had to field the question before of "How do I turn on WiFi, I see airport but no WiFi"

Using industry standard names is a GOOD THING.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ratzzo Avatar
157 months ago
To the average user, this will solve a lot of questions. When my uncle got a MBP he didn't really know how to enable Wi Fi.. "what's this airport you speak of?" heh.. good times :D
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
interrobang Avatar
157 months ago
In all fairness, when Apple came out with the first AirPort products in 1999, there was no industry standard name.

Now that there is, it makes sense for Apple to adopt it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)