Plagued by complaints about MacBook Air Wi-Fi problems, Apple is reported to be testing a MacBook Air Wi-Fi Update 1.0 to solve the connectivity problems of mid-2013 11- and 13-inch ultrathin laptops using a new 802.11ac Wi-Fi chipset.
The MacBook Air manufacturer send out invites late night of June 28 to certain users who might be willing to test a pre-release version of the Wi-Fi Update 1.0. These customers were asked to install the software on their new MacBook Air and send feedback if they notice any bug when using their laptops.
"You have been selected to join our AppleSeed program. If you accept, we will provide you with a pre-release version of the MacBookAir WiFi Update 1.0 to install and use," Apple Insider quoted the content of the email from Apple.
"While trying out MacBookAir WiFi Update 1.0, we ask that you provide us with your feedback. Our program includes a bug reporting system for our participants. If you wish to be a seed volunteer and help Apple release high-quality software, follow the instructions below," the correspondence stated.
The invite sent by Apple does not really specify what the software update will fix but most likely pertains to issues reported by users of the new MacBook Airs.
Users complain that the laptops will initially connect but disconnect from their Wi-Fi connections after a short while. The said MacBook Air units are also encountering issues connecting to different routers including AirPort devices of Apple. There are also reports that the beta OS X and the OS X 10.8.4 appear to have issues that may contribute to the Wi-Fi connectivity problems.
The problematic new MacBook Air units were the ones rolled out during the week of the Worldwide Developers Conference. The new thinnest computer in the Apple lineup features Haswell processors that are meant to make the machine faster and more energy efficient. Apple also claimed that the new 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs will have a faster Wi-Fi connectivity as it comes equipped with the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi chipset. The new wireless protocol is expected to go as fast as 1,300 Mbps in theory.
To address the Wi-Fi woes, Apple has earlier ordered its team to investigate the connectivity issues.
"In the United States, Apple Geniuses and Advisors should capture MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013) and MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013) computers with any WiFi issues," stated a report on Tuaw.
