Early developer previews of iOS 5 showed that the platform had gained the ability to set up AirPort base stations on a local network. The option was found under the Wi-Fi network settings, and read “Set up an AirPort Base Station…” A new report from MacStories, however, suggests that Apple may soon release a version of AirPort Utility for iOS devices through the App Store.
The report notes sightings of the above notification by various users as posted on Twitter and at the MacTalk Australia forums, strongly suggesting that Apple does have an Airport Utility in the works. While normally I’d wonder whether such a shot had been photoshopped, I have been able to reproduce the notification myself within iOS 5.
In the Gold Master release of iOS 5, a button named “Manage this Network” within the WiFi settings of networks based on AirPort base stations will prompt the user to download AirPort Utility from the App Store, and launches an iTunes link that is not yet live.
If Apple is planning such an app, it’s unclear whether they intend to build basic AirPort setup tools into iOS 5, or use this app as a replacement for such integration.