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Apple Releases Firmware Update for AirPort Express With AirPlay 2 Support

Mizhou said:
Besides Apples routers already do a kind of mesh. At the moment I have a Time Capsule in my living room, and I have some stuff connected to it via cable there. I also have a Mac mini and an Apple TV in my bedroom. The Mac mini is connected via cable to the TC in the living room, but since I don't have a switch in my bedroom (yet), and I also have the AppleTV, iPhones and iPad, that I sometimes use in the bedroom, and the signal from the TC is a bit weak in my bedroom, I also have an AirPort Express in my bedroom. That one is NOT connected via cable to the TV, but it extends the wireless network from the TC, so the phones and iPad connects wirelessly to the Express, which sends it wirelessly to the TC. It wasn't called mesh at the time though, but it's kind of a simple mesh, but I would prefer to connect it via cable, since the bandwidth is effectively cut in half.

First my iPhone sends to the Express which forwards wirelessly to the TC. That is TWO wireless transmissions for every packet. The solution is for me to either install a switch in my bedroom or another cable going from the Express to the TC.

The AppleTV 4k is connected via cable to the Express.
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As the mini’s plugged, share your internet connection via wi-fi on the mini & use the AP elsewhere?;)
 
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Macwick said:
IMPORTANT NOTE: This does not appear to provide *full* AirPlay 2 support for AirPort Express.

Specifically - for Apple TVs and HomePods, there are two ways to stream music:

1) Select them as an 'output' from your iOS device. The new AirPort Express firmware *does* allow this.

2) Ask Siri to play music directly on these devices, and manage the playback on these devices separately from your iOS device (they will appear as independent devices in the iOS AirPlay menu). The new firmware does NOT seem to support this.

Note that an updated AirPort Express *can* now be added to the Home app as a speaker, but if I ask Siri to play music on this device it errors out.
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Liar. I just tested it out with my AirPort Expresses, it’s full-fledge. I just asked Siri to play some music in the rooms where the AirPort Expresses are located and they played.
 
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"Apple plans to provide service and parts for current AirPort Base stations for the next five years"

Fair enough.... You need something, particularly if its discontinued
 
Yvan256 said:
Apple will never switch to Intel processors.
Apple will never make an MP3 player.
Apple will never make a smartphone.
Etc.
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Dear Yyvan256,

In case you missed the announcement quite a while back Apple no longer manufactures Airport. The post I commented on would require new hardware from the a clean sheet. Not another firmware patch.

This indicates a decesion to leave a market, that while loved my many Apple Evagilists, was an operational loss in revenue. There are ample manufactures that perform seemlessly with Apple products.

I left Airport after the announced discontinuation. I have used another brand of router seemlessly since. I have between 10 and 12 devices running on my network daily. Both at 2.4 and 5. The firmware updates are automatic and are glitch free.

Apple has moved on. You have 4 more years of software/firmware support then you’re put in the Obsolete Pile. You will see no new hardware. :apple:
 
So this proves other manufacturers that had Airplay since lets say 2012 which is when the last generation of Airport express came out, should in theory be able to support Airplay 2?

I'm looking at you Yamaha, I need an update on my A/V receiver :mad:
 
Well, this definitely makes the Airport Express (especially the used market) the least expensive Airplay 2 device, so far. I have confirmed that I can ask Siri to play music in the living room, and it plays on the Airport Express for my AV Receiver. Now, I just need to start replacing the older Airport Expresses and the JBL Airplay speaker in the bathroom...
 
This is interesting. These days my AEs are network clients, hooked into Plume. I have like 10 of them, so even though Airplay2 is kind of ridiculous I'll update them all.
 
Great news. Now time to find that 2nd Airport Express I have stored and updated it!
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trifid said:
So this proves other manufacturers that had Airplay since lets say 2012 which is when the last generation of Airport express came out, should in theory be able to support Airplay 2?

I'm looking at you Yamaha, I need an update on my A/V receiver :mad:
Click to expand...

I need an Airplay 2 update on all 4 of my Yamaha amps!
 
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npmacuser5 said:
Excuse my digression. Sonos was unable to get their top of the line PlayBar upgraded to Airplay2. Now we know, a marketing decision, as many of us thought.
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They never said it was impossible: the CEO said they just wished to preserve resources for future Sonos updates to their own functionalities.
 
I use a bunch of the older design ones as wired routers for audio in three places. Shame they won’t get upgraded but I mostly play from iTunes and it has had multiple speakers for as long as I can remember so no big deal.
 
senorgreg said:
So has anyone been able to apply the update an 1st Gen 802.11N Airport Express? Or is the thinking this update is only for the newer generation 802.11N Airport Express??
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I have not. When I bring up my first gen device it says the firmware is up to date, with 7.6.9. And apples support page is unclear, as it just says “802.11n devices”.
 
AJS-Mac said:
I purchased 2 Airport Expresses in mid July from Target just in case the rumors were true. I am so glad I did. I have just upgraded both of my units with the new firmware and connected them to older Klipsch G-17 airplay speakers. Now all my speakers are Airplay 2 compatible. Thank you Apple for a great product :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the Target tip. I just picked up a 2nd Gen Airport Express Base Station on sale for $89.99 (+5% off with my Target Red Card).
 
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MiamiC70 said:
So I’m SOL on my 3TB Time Capsule yet this POS get firmware update?
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Dude. Use your nogin. There is no audio port on your time capsule. It was never meant to be an audio device. This firmware update is for the express because it was always advertised as an airplay device and now it is just getting the next version.

I can’t get over how many entitled people are in these forums. You people just hear that someone else is getting something nice and automatically squawk that you’re not getting one.
 
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Is Apple streaming AirPlay 2 at a lower resolution so the iDevcies can handle multiple outgoing streams?
 
Kudos Apple! Thank you thank you thank you! I really hope these comments are being read so you can see the true appreciation your customers have for you right now.

I have really been stressing myself too death lately about what device I could use to going forward that would be Airplay 2 compatible and would work with my in ceiling speakers besides a full fledged costly A/V receiver. There are just no other devices on the market that takes the place of the Airport Express, besides those cheap Chinese offerings that don't even support AirPlay 2 yet, and the newly announced SONOS AMP which cost $600 and is crazily overpriced.

Again, THANKS!
 
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