Apple recently released an updated version of its AirPort Express mobile base station that uses 802.11n technology, thus, improving its performance by up to five times that of its previous models. The new wireless technology also offers twice the range of 802.11g.

The IEEE 802.11n draft specification has improved on previous standards by adding multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) - a signal processing and smart antenna technique for transmitting multiple data streams. It enhances the entire system.

This device can be used at home for wireless Internet connectivity, and for mobile connectivity on the go. Thanks to AirTunes, accessing music from iTunes at home is a snap. Philip Schiller, the Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, stated, “From the small and portable AirPort Express, to AirPort Extreme for workgroups of up to 50 users & the new Time Capsule for automated backups, Apple customers now have more (great) ways to extend their wireless networks with 802.11n.”

Apple is now using 802.11n technology in its entire line of AirPort base stations, Mac notebooks as well as iMac, Apple TV and Time Capsule and is available through the Apple Store online, Apple’s brick-and-morter retail stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers for a retail price of £55.