iHomeAudio and Others to Offer AirPlay Peripherals

[nelmat]

Indeed. People seem to be making an awful lot of assumptions about how this service is supposed to work and getting very excited, but we're very light on details. People keep going crazy about transferring content from the iPad to an Apple TV, but if you do can you use any other applications? Has Apple discussed the rights issues with any content providers? Does it require coding into apps specially? Can it even work in a web stream through mobile Safari (I'd wager no)? Does this mean that all that traffic goes through my internal wi-fi network twice?

Phazer

NO assumptions to make, audio has been streamed this way using airport express for years, it's simple plug and play - plug your speakers into airport express and they list in a pull down in iTunes for audio playback. The new tech is just an extension of this, and devices are being launched with the transceiver already inside.

The rest of your questions seem negative in their tone, but yes I'd imagine apple has been speaking to third party companies, otherwise these new devices wouldn't exist.

 

[baryon]

That would be the Airport Express, wouldn't it?
http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

Yes but that's an Airport Express, which is a router and most people nowadays get their routers from their service provider, so they cannot use their own router, because they have an integrated modem and you have no idea what the password is and they don't help you if you're not using their router.

Sure, I can connect the Airport Express to the Ethernet wire that comes out of my ISP's router/modem, but then I would have two routers, one routing the other. And that's extremely stupid.

 

[bluebomberman]

Does Airport Express not work with iTunes 10? #curious#

Working just fine here...

I wonder if Apple is going to update the Airport Express to be Airplay compatible or just let the APX wither on the vine. I'd much rather use APX to stream to powered speakers I already own. I've been doing this w/ AirTunes for years, but of course the iPad can't stream via Airtunes, only Airplay.

I use Airtunes on the Airport Express, and it would be nice if Airplay would also work on it.

So there's no need to fret, then - AirPort Express still works.

 

[nelmat]

Yes but that's an Airport Express, which is a router and most people nowadays get their routers from their service provider, so they cannot use their own router, because they have an integrated modem and you have no idea what the password is and they don't help you if you're not using their router.

Sure, I can connect the Airport Express to the Ethernet wire that comes out of my ISP's router/modem, but then I would have two routers, one routing the other. And that's extremely stupid.

Airport express is not a router. it can be used as a repeater unit, but it's not a base station. You plug it in and can connect a printer (USB Device), sound source (mini jack) and ethernet cable to it to connect to another computer if you so require.

And just because your ISP provides your router, there's nothing to stop you using your own kit.

Also to note - airport express is wireless. Plug it in. Your mac sees it, you can stream data to it. Very simple, and nothing even remotely stupid about it.

 

[Chundles]

I reckon they'll just update Airport Utility so that it recognises Airplay devices and lets you configure them wirelessly.

There's going to be some easy way to get them onto your WiFi network - Apple aren't stupid. Maybe iTunes does it already and we just haven't seen it in action yet because the devices aren't out there.

 

[nelmat]

I reckon they'll just update Airport Utility so that it recognises Airplay devices and lets you configure them wirelessly.

There's going to be some easy way to get them onto your WiFi network - Apple aren't stupid. Maybe iTunes does it already and we just haven't seen it in action yet because the devices aren't out there.

I agree, it will work exactly as airtunes/airport express currently works, but for data as well as audio. Nothing groundbreaking, just a development.

 

[Chundles]

Airport express is not a router. it can be used as a repeater unit, but it's not a base station. You plug it in and can connect a printer, sound source and ethernet cable to it to connect to another computer.

And just because your ISP provides your router, there's nothing to stop you using your own kit.

Also to note - airport express is wireless. Plug it in. Your mac sees it, you can stream data to it. Very simple, and nothing even remotely stupid about it.

Airport Express is a base station. You plug the ethernet from your modem into it and it creates a WiFi network that supports up to 10 devices concurrently. I know this because it's currently creating my WiFi network here.

Airport Express is a router. You can use it to connect a computer that doesn't have WiFi by cabling it to the computer but it's primary purpose is to create a stand-alone WiFi network.

 

[bluebomberman]

Yes but that's an Airport Express, which is a router and most people nowadays get their routers from their service provider, so they cannot use their own router, because they have an integrated modem and you have no idea what the password is and they don't help you if you're not using their router.

Sure, I can connect the Airport Express to the Ethernet wire that comes out of my ISP's router/modem, but then I would have two routers, one routing the other. And that's extremely stupid.

Airport express is not a router. it can be used as a repeater unit, but it's not a base station. You plug it in and can connect a printer (USB Device), sound source (mini jack) and ethernet cable to it to connect to another computer if you so require.

And just because your ISP provides your router, there's nothing to stop you using your own kit.

Also to note - airport express is wireless. Plug it in. Your mac sees it, you can stream data to it. Very simple, and nothing even remotely stupid about it.

Yeah, you're overthinking it. Treat the AirPort Express like a device to hook up your speakers to your network. Or, to put it another way, a way to make your speakers WiFi.

 

[grapemac]

Airport Express is a base station. You plug the ethernet from your modem into it and it creates a WiFi network that supports up to 10 devices concurrently. I know this because it's currently creating my WiFi network here.

Airport Express is a router. You can use it to connect a computer that doesn't have WiFi by cabling it to the computer but it's primary purpose is to create a stand-alone WiFi network.

Yes, but you don't have to use it that way. You don't have to connect any wires to it other than the audio cable. Plug it into a wall, add it to your existing wireless network (made by the router you already have set up) on Airport Utility on your Mac or PC, and that's it. You definitely don't need to connect it via ethernet nor use it as a router, just as a device that picks up the existing network.

 

[SayaSe]

What's with the retarded slogans nowadays, aren't people capable of reading sentences with more than two words anymore?

 

[Chundles]

Yes, but you don't have to use it that way. You don't have to connect any wires to it other than the audio cable. Plug it into a wall, add it to your existing wireless network (made by the router you already have set up) on Airport Utility on your Mac or PC, and that's it. You definitely don't need to connect it via ethernet nor use it as a router, just as a device that picks up the existing network.

Absolutely, totally true. I wasn't arguing that at all. I was correcting the poster who said that it wasn't a base station/router which the Airport Express certainly is.

 

[nelmat]

Airport Express is a base station. You plug the ethernet from your modem into it and it creates a WiFi network that supports up to 10 devices concurrently. I know this because it's currently creating my WiFi network here.

Airport Express is a router. You can use it to connect a computer that doesn't have WiFi by cabling it to the computer but it's primary purpose is to create a stand-alone WiFi network.

That's not it's primary function. If you want a base station/router you use the airport base station, that's why it exists. One ethernet socket and no modem onboard/modem socket is the clue. You'd need to connect this to an adsl modem - requiring another bit of kit and more expense - that's nonsense!

Yes it can be used as a router, but anyone buying it as such is wasting their money. It does make a good repeater unit, but is a pig to configure with anything other than the airport base station.

Plug it into a socket. Plug printer and speakers into it - voila - wireless printing and audio from yr mac.

 

[mrtrilby]

Airport Express is a base station.

The Airport Express can be several things, depending on how you configure it. It can be a base station, and create its own wireless network. It can extend the range of an existing wireless network. It can connect your "wired only" network device to your wireless network. It can turn your USB printer in a wireless printer. And last but not least, it can let you wirelessly stream audio from iTunes to your hifi.

It can even do some (but not all) of the above at the same time. Pretty funky for something so small.

 

[callme]

Airport Express is a base station. You plug the ethernet from your modem into it and it creates a WiFi network that supports up to 10 devices concurrently. I know this because it's currently creating my WiFi network here.

Airport Express is a router. You can use it to connect a computer that doesn't have WiFi by cabling it to the computer but it's primary purpose is to create a stand-alone WiFi network.

Yes very true, BUT it can also be used as a standalone extension to your WiFi network (connected via WiFi), that then allows you to stream music to it. You do not need to connect an Ethernet cable to use it in this way. I have them all over the house, they are all joined to my WiFi network wirelessly and I stream music to them all really easily from iTunes 10.

What has not been addressed in all this discussion is will AirPlay play DRM protected music (and by that I mean the content sold by Apple, which has FairPlay DRM).

I have a lost of FairPlay DRM protected tracks which play fine to the Airport Express units, but will 3rd party devices support FairPlay? Have Apple actually decided to license FairPlay to them.

I know music purchased today from iTunes does not have a DRM layer, but what about my older tracks. They would cost me £320 to upgrade to DRM free, not something I want to do.

Unless AirPlay enables playback of FairPlay DRM tracks, you had better avoid if you have older purchases, that is what I will be doing until we have some confirmation of the capabilities.

Ian

 

[grapemac]

Sure, I can connect the Airport Express to the Ethernet wire that comes out of my ISP's router/modem, but then I would have two routers, one routing the other. And that's extremely stupid.

Using it this way may be "extremely stupid" or it may not be. If you already have an 'n' router then using it this way would seem very unnecessary.

However, my parents currently have a 'g' router/modem. If i were to connect my Airport Express via ethernet to their router/modem, it would create an 'n' wireless network; faster speeds and greater area. They would also get the added extras of wireless audio playback and wireless printing which the Airport Express provides very very easily.

 

[nelmat]

Yes very true, BUT it can also be used as a standalone extension to your WiFi network (connected via WiFi), that then allows you to stream music to it. You do not need to connect an Ethernet cable to use it in this way. I have them all over the house, they are all joined to my WiFi network wirelessly and I stream music to them all really easily from iTunes 10.

What has not been addressed in all this discussion is will AirPlay play DRM protected music (and by that I mean the content sold by Apple, which has FairPlay DRM).

I have a lost of FairPlay DRM protected tracks which play fine to the Airport Express units, but will 3rd party devices support FairPlay? Have Apple actually decided to license FairPlay to them.

I know music purchased today from iTunes does not have a DRM layer, but what about my older tracks. They would cost me £320 to upgrade to DRM free, not something I want to do.

Unless AirPlay enables playback of FairPlay DRM tracks, you had better avoid if you have older purchases, that is what I will be doing until we have some confirmation of the capabilities.

Ian

Well, I grabbed an express when they were first launched and there were absolutely no restrictions on what audio it would play then, so I'd imagine there are none now. This is about streaming, not permanent data transfer - of course there would be a way to record the stream, but i've never known the airtunes audio streaming to block any of my content...

 

[Chundles]

That's not it's primary function. If you want a base station/router you use the airport base station, that's why it exists. One ethernet socket and no modem onboard/modem socket is the clue. You'd need to connect this to an adsl modem - requiring another bit of kit and more expense - that's nonsense!

Yes it can be used as a router, but anyone buying it as such is wasting their money. It does make a good repeater unit, but is a pig to configure with anything other than the airport base station.

Plug it into a socket. Plug printer and speakers into it - voila - wireless printing and audio from yr mac.

???

The Airport Extreme still requires a separate modem. You still need to plug a modem into it. So if you get an Airport Extreme you still need extra kit.

Airport Express makes a great router, nice and portable for travel when you end up in a hotel with only ethernet to the rooms. Great for small apartments where you may only have 4 or 5 things that connect. And it still does the printer/audio streaming.

I don't understand your argument. First you said it wasn't a base station when it is. Then you gave the impression the Extreme has an onboard modem which it doesn't.

 

[nelmat]

???

The Airport Extreme still requires a separate modem. You still need to plug a modem into it. So if you get an Airport Extreme you still need extra kit.

Airport Express makes a great router, nice and portable for travel when you end up in a hotel with only ethernet to the rooms. Great for small apartments where you may only have 4 or 5 things that connect. And it still does the printer/audio streaming.

I don't understand your argument. First you said it wasn't a base station when it is. Then you gave the impression the Extreme has an onboard modem which it doesn't.

Nope, I said the exact opposite. I said if you need a proper base station/router you're better getting the full airport base station otherwise you do need to buy more kit. Check your comprehension.

 

[Chundles]

The Airport Express can be several things, depending on how you configure it. It can be a base station, and create its own wireless network. It can extend the range of an existing wireless network. It can connect your "wired only" network device to your wireless network. It can turn your USB printer in a wireless printer. And last but not least, it can let you wirelessly stream audio from iTunes to your hifi.

It can even do some (but not all) of the above at the same time. Pretty funky for something so small.

Yes, this is all correct. None of this was disputed. I was disputing the poster who said it wasn't a base station.

 

[DakotaGuy]

it's very simple, this already happens with airport express - the speakers merely appear on a pulldown of available sound output options in iTunes. Very, very simple and already available. Also the device doesn't have to be batter powered.

You can already use your existing speakers and plug them into your mac or your airport express - nothing you're asking for hasn't already been developed and easily available.

All of this technology already exists for your mac, and I've been using it for a couple of years - I think you've been missing out!

I've been using it for 5 years so it is not new, however I believe that AirPlay will take it another step forward compared to AirTunes.

 

[nelmat]

???

The Airport Extreme still requires a separate modem. You still need to plug a modem into it. So if you get an Airport Extreme you still need extra kit.

Airport Express makes a great router, nice and portable for travel when you end up in a hotel with only ethernet to the rooms. Great for small apartments where you may only have 4 or 5 things that connect. And it still does the printer/audio streaming.

I don't understand your argument. First you said it wasn't a base station when it is. Then you gave the impression the Extreme has an onboard modem which it doesn't.

You'd need to connect this to an adsl modem - requiring another bit of kit and more expense - that's nonsense!

To quote my exact words.

 

[Chundles]

Nope, I said the exact opposite. I said if you need a proper base station/router you're better getting the full airport base station otherwise you do need to buy more kit. Check your comprehension.

You need to buy more kit if you get the Airport Extreme too. What is your argument?

 

[nelmat]

I've been using it for 5 years so it is not new, however I believe that AirPlay will take it another step forward compared to AirTunes.

Yup, I said it's not new - or are you just reiterating my point?

 

[nelmat]

You need to buy more kit if you get the Airport Extreme too. What is your argument?

No you don't - what more kit do you need? I've got one sat here, nothing attached to it apart from the feed from the wall and it's mains power. It appears to be working beautifully.

 

[Mistrblank]

How is this new? Airplay is Airtunes with Video streaming capability.

They should be able to do this now. Last I heard, Airport Expresses will be able to be endpoint speakers for the iOS Airplay feature, which leads me to believe the protocol for audio isn't going to change.