Apple has updated its AirPort Express mobile base station with 802.11n to deliver a claimed up to five times the performance and twice the range of the previous model.

Launching on a Monday, rather than a traditional Tuesday (possibly due to a leak from the Swiss Apple store over the weekend) the gadget keeps its $99/£65 price tag and features like AirTunes.

Apparently the world's smallest 802.11n-based mobile base station, the Express can be plugged directly into the wall for wireless internet connectivity and USB printing at home or brought on the road for wireless freedom wherever there is an internet connection.

"Apple is leading the way with a broad range of innovative 802.11n base stations for almost any wireless networking need", said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing.

"From the small and portable AirPort Express, to AirPort Extreme for workgroups of up to 50 users and the new Time Capsule for automated backups, Apple customers now have more great ways to extend their wireless networks with 802.11n."