Apple today upgraded its AirPort Express mobile base-station to support faster wireless transfers using 802.11n Wi-Fi. The new Express is the smallest unit of its kind, the company claimed.

Apple's AirPort Express: now with 802.11n

Until today, the gadget only supported 802.11b/g. However, re-releasing the AirPort Express with support for the latest wireless technology should see customers able to transfer data at up to 248Mb/s.

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Apple hasn’t changed the AirPort Express' design, so it still measures about 100 x 80 x30mm. It allows users to stream music from iTunes running on a networked Mac or PC to a hi-fi or headphones connected to the base-station - it has a 3.5mm socket that doubles up as an optical digital-audio port.

The unit also sports a 10/100Mb/s Ethernet port to allow wired-only devices to be connected to it. It also has a USB port to allow a printer to be shared between networked computers.

Apple’s AirPort Express with 802.11n support is available now for around £65 (€100/$130).