Does anyone have an idea on the chances of an improved Airport Express being released? Being "the year of HD," I thought Apple might add video output. I am more interested in digital audio output. Any ideas on if/when this could happen?
I think Apple will update Airport when there's a newer official standard for wireless technology. At the moment 54mbit is as fast as it gets with an official certification. Some companies offer 128mbit and other higher ranged technologies, but from what I gather these are proprietary.
Wireless video streaming is probably still a little while away, as it requires vast amounts of bandwidth. It would also require video hardware to decode the signal at the other end.
One hot, but unconfirmed, rumor is that Apple may be considering the addition of a standard optical audio out port to its AirPort Express product. The current version ships with a 3.5mm mini-Audio jack for analog or optical digital sound, but requires that users purchase a $40 kit to tap the optical interface.
Thanks, superbovine. I just went throught the thread--to summarize for anyone interested, there was a rumour of an updated Airport Express for this summer that included S-video and digital audio outputs, but nothing materialized. I'm guessing that this update could happen at the end of September (or later), when the U.S. promotion for 10 free iTunes songs ends (with purchase of Airport Express).