iHomeAudio and Others to Offer AirPlay Peripherals

[baryon]

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.

Yes I'm sure you could use the Airport Express in all the ways you mentioned, it makes sense and it is indeed an awesome device, but my point is that it's still a full-featured router, and if you're not using it as a router, you're wasting quite a lot of money.

So this is all okay, but now that Apple is taking this AirPlay thing to a new level, I would expect them to come out with something that's a bit like the Airport Express, but for the sole purpose of making any speakers you already own wireless. Imagine a small, Airport Express-like device, that is way cheaper, and would only have one or more stereo jacks in it. You would plug in your speakers, and there you go, super simple! No need to get an expensive Airport Express (it's not that expensive, but it is expensive if you only use it to get rid of one wire for the sake of comfort).

 

[Chundles]

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.

So where's the feed from the wall coming from?

 

[DakotaGuy]

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

Yes

 

[chrisandersen]

Exactly what I need on the my deck. Have airtunes in the den, but can't get it loud enough on the deck. Bring that little sucker out there, power on and viola.

 

[Mistrblank]

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.

The airport is actually a lot more than a router. It can be used as a bridge, an access point, a usb print server, usb network drive attachment, or as an AirTunes speaker endpoint. You don't have to use it as a router to get any of that functionality, none of it is mutually exclusive/inclusive. Go read the product page again before you post further misinformation.

Yes I'm sure you could use the Airport Express in all the ways you mentioned, it makes sense and it is indeed an awesome device, but my point is that it's still a full-featured router, and if you're not using it as a router, you're wasting quite a lot of money.

Not really. Maybe now with a $99 AppleTV some might consider it a waste. But for what it does, it's never been that badly overpriced and is still cheaper than the AppleTV if you only need audio to your system.

 

[kavika411]

Someone sort of touched on this in a previous post, but my question is (in case anyone knows this stuff - I sure don't): Is it even possible that Apple could - with a simple software upgrade - enable iTunes to send music to different rooms simultaneously. Two scenarios: (1) same music, two different rooms simultaneously; (2) different music, two different rooms simultaneously. I guess what I'm getting at (for people who understand routers and streaming and such) is whether this technology is even possible - one computer streaming two different feeds out of one program (e.g. iTunes) at the same time. Yes, I know that many people don't care about this feature, but I'd like to know if it is even possible with a simple software update. Thanks.

As an aside, I remember reading in the mid-nineties about Bill Gates mansion that was being built. I read that as you walked through his house, somehow the house would "track you" such that if you got a phone call, only the phone near you would ring, and music you listened to moved through the house - turning on and off - with you. I know this would probably bug some people, and others may think it's excessive, but I can foresee a scenario where these new speakers could "sense" your iPhone or iPod Touch as you move around the house, and turn on and off as necessary. Yes, and then the robots will rise up and enslave us, but still fun to think about.

 

[RonD69]

Multi-zone

I like this, but unless it supports multi-zones, I won't buy it just yet. I'd like to listen to different music in my home office versus the kitchen or the bedroom. Until I get this, I won't abandon my home theater system.

 

[xvimbi]

Someone sort of touched on this in a previous post, but my question is (in case anyone knows this stuff - I sure don't): Is it even possible that Apple could - with a simple software upgrade - enable iTunes to send music to different rooms simultaneously. Two scenarios: (1) same music, two different rooms simultaneously; (2) different music, two different rooms simultaneously. I guess what I'm getting at (for people who understand routers and streaming and such) is whether this technology is even possible - one computer streaming two different feeds out of one program (e.g. iTunes) at the same time. Yes, I know that many people don't care about this feature, but I'd like to know if it is even possible with a simple software update. Thanks.

Many people do care about that, and yes, of course it's possible, just like two computers sharing the same Internet connection over WiFi but receiving two different streams. In fact, there are music systems out there that do exactly that (Sonos probably being the most prominent one). Why Apple hasn't done that yet is a mystery to me.

In fact, I would say that most people would actually care about that: one person could listen to her music while working, another could listen to some other music while fixing the car, another brat could listen to some weird stuff while doing homework, another person could listen to some podcasts, etc., all at the same time and from one source. It's a no-brainer.

I guess we'll be seeing something like this from Apple the moment iTunes is capable of properly tagging classical music...

 

[Mistrblank]

I like this, but unless it supports multi-zones, I won't buy it just yet. I'd like to listen to different music in my home office versus the kitchen or the bedroom. Until I get this, I won't abandon my home theater system.

I don't think understand the technology then.

The idea is you have an iPod Touch, it gets updated to iOS 4.2 with Airplay in November. You start playing the iPod touch in your living room and select the AppleTV in the living room attached to your home theatre set up. You need to head to the office, you seemlessly change the output speakers to the Airport Express you have connected to a small stereo unit in the office. Your wife walks around the house with her iPod touch and does the same thing connecting to the iHomeAudio you have set up in the Kitchen. Then there's my personal favorite, your best friend stops by, wants you to see this new home video he shot on his iPhone, he takes out his iPhone connects to your AppleTV in the living room and you watch without wires.

You buy one of these iHomeAudio, Airport Express or AppleTV as end points for each room that you want connected.

 

[nelmat]

So where's the feed from the wall coming from?

it comes from the wall, socket out and away I go.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

That's probably too complicated and too niche a power feature for Apple to include. As it is, you can hack it by having different devices Airplay to different speakers. (iPod touch streams to one room, computer streams to another, for instance.)



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

Yes, but AirTunes does not work with the iPad or iPod. That is why I was asking. You still can stream from your computer to ext. speakers w/ the APX but you cannot stream from the iPad or iPod to ext. speakers w/ the APX.

With iOS 4.2, Airplay will finally allow the iPad/iPod to stream IF you have Airplay ready speakers or the new AppleTV. Apple hasn't said anything about being able to stream from the iPad/iPod to speakers via APX. That is why I was asking if Apple was going to update the APX firmware.

 

[kavika411]

Yes, but AirTunes does not work with the iPad or iPod. That is why I was asking. You still can stream from your computer to ext. speakers w/ the APX but you cannot stream from the iPad or iPod to ext. speakers w/ the APX.

With iOS 4.2, Airplay will finally allow the iPad/iPod to stream IF you have Airplay ready speakers or the new AppleTV. Apple hasn't said anything about being able to stream from the iPad/iPod to speakers via APX. That is why I was asking if Apple was going to update the APX firmware.

Alright, now I'm confused a bit. I am quite a novice at this - just trying to understand. I've had Airport Expresses and an Apple TV for a while and have enjoyed how I can send music to each, and how I can use my iPhone's Remote app to do so. So I feel like I've got a decent grasp on the old "Airtunes" technology.

It wasn't until today - with this new iHome speaker - that I realized third-party vendors could build standalone devices (as in, no need for Airport Express or Apple TV) that could jump on your iTunes/network and play your iTunes content. Very cool.

But does this new Airplay protocol (or whatever it's called) allow someone with - for example - an iPad with content on it to walk up to any of those new iHomes and stream that content directly? For example, I take my iPad (wish I had one) to my friend's house, and he's got a new iHome on his network/iTunes; can I then push my iPad music content directly, wirelessly onto that iHome?

Sorry if that's a dumb question. I've been assuming the new iHome would be "wed" to only the owner's iTunes library/network.

Thanks.

 

[LanceHardwood]

With iOS 4.2, Airplay will finally allow the iPad/iPod to stream IF you have Airplay ready speakers or the new AppleTV. Apple hasn't said anything about being able to stream from the iPad/iPod to speakers via APX. That is why I was asking if Apple was going to update the APX firmware.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/software-update
"Wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos from iPad to the new Apple TV, and stream music to AirPlay speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express."

 

[nsayer]

Any app?

The big question I have is whether AirPlay will be limited to just the iPod app or will it be available for all streaming media apps, like A2DP currently is.

 

[nsayer]

I like this, but unless it supports multi-zones, I won't buy it just yet. I'd like to listen to different music in my home office versus the kitchen or the bedroom. Until I get this, I won't abandon my home theater system.

Just buy more than one iPod touch if you want multiple music streams running simultaneously to different rooms.

 

[adbe]

Yes I'm sure you could use the Airport Express in all the ways you mentioned, it makes sense and it is indeed an awesome device, but my point is that it's still a full-featured router, and if you're not using it as a router, you're wasting quite a lot of money.

I highly doubt that. You're looking at the router as being an add on. The device already has a power transformer, a wireless chip, and is capable of running a low draw OS. It needs at least that much functionality to be an audio receiver. Adding some extra candy features is essentially free. The upshot is that the Express is one of the most singularly useful swiss army knife devices for networking out there.

The only way the Express is selling for much less than it is today is if someone other than Apple were to make it.

but it is expensive if you only use it to get rid of one wire for the sake of comfort).

Comfort? If you want to do all house audio, its really the only practical way that doesn't involve expensive dedicated hardware.

 

[Eduardo1971]

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.

That's my first thought when I read about this Airplay. There was no mention that this would be compatible with Airport Extreme. I do hope that there is a firmware update that makes Airport compatible with Airplay. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

 

[Tundraboy]

iTunes 10 blunder raises the temperature

Some good reading material boys and girls!!!!!

http://blogs.computerworld.com/16895/itunes_10_blunder_raises_the_temperature

 

[notjustjay]

Just buy more than one iPod touch if you want multiple music streams running simultaneously to different rooms.

Yikes. I think I'll stick with my Sonos, thanks very much.

That is, if this broken-DAAP problem gets fixed (either by Apple or by D-Link, the manufacturer of the NAS where I keep my music)...

 

[Chupa Chupa]

http://www.apple.com/ipad/software-update
"Wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos from iPad to the new Apple TV, and stream music to AirPlay speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express."

Sweet. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[LondonCentral]

Good idea, but as highlighted on The Gadget Show (UK TV show, featured the Airport Express last night in a wireless music devices feature) they really just need to let it stream different songs/etc to different rooms from a central computer at the same time.

I watched that too, I'd say a combination of the Sonos system, along with high end speakers would be best.

 

[BuffyzDead]

Stream Music WITHOUT a NETWORK

The ONLY reason I would consider one of these "Airplay Speaker Systems" is if it worked WITHOUT requiring a wireless network.

My wireless home-network currently supports (3) Airport Express units, spread around the house. It works perfect an allows me to stream to my powerful stereo systems.

What I'm waiting to find out, is if this "Airplay" technology, requires a network??

These speakers would be great at the beach or park, if I could stream wireless DIRECTLY to the unit from my iPhone/iPad, WITHOUT requiring a network.

THAT would be cool.

ADDING TO MY ENTRY:
I see, based on some of the answers below that people are attempting to define "Network". That is not the point of my interest.

For clarity's sake on what I was asking, I'll use this as the NEW example:

Assume there is NO network and NO computer anywhere.

IF I purchase a 4th Gen iPod Touch OR iPhone4, running iOS4.2 (supporting Airplay), will I be able to purchase these "Airplay" supporting speakers and just use them/connect to them?

Like at a campfire, beach or park? ....or in my house?
THAT would be cool!!! .....NOT for security (never thought of that) BUT for convenience.

 

[nelmat]

The ONLY reason I would consider one of these "Airplay Speaker Systems" is if it worked WITHOUT requiring a wireless network.

My wireless home-network currently supports (3) Airport Express units, spread around the house. It works perfect an allows me to stream to my powerful stereo systems.

What I'm waiting to find out, is if this "Airplay" technology, requires a network??

These speakers would be great at the beach or park, if I could stream wireless DIRECTLY to the unit from my iPhone/iPad, WITHOUT requiring a network.

THAT would be cool.

That would depend on your definition of 'network' - are you saying your problem would be creating another network, because if you're streaming data between two devices, they are by definition 'networked' - so I don't see how you can expect devices to talk to each other unless on a common 'network', or why you think this is in someway a bad thing?

 

[b11051973]

I'm going to pickup one of these bad boys for sure. Streaming stuff off my iPhone and rechargeable battery are exactly what I want. I bought this bluetooth speaker thing, but it isn't rechargeable and bluetooth is a little finicky. This iHome thing looks perfect.

 

[wismann]

What I'm waiting to find out, is if this "Airplay" technology, requires a network??

(disclaimer: imho)
Basically, yes. It does need a network as it works over some IP connection (don't know which protocols used, but that doesn't matter). But if nothing else is configured, the APX for example creates its own wireless cell where you can log in. It should be possible to create the smallest setup with only a wall outlet, an APX and an iPod touch (and active speakers, of course, if you're expecting to hear something). So the real answer to your question is 'yes, but you won't necessarily notice'.
Whether this will be true for other devices depends if the manufacturers decide to implement Access Point wireless, too, or if they reduce it to Client Mode wireless as this is what most people will use at home. I'm guessing the latter will be common, simply because it's cheaper and your scenario is rather exotic. I can imagine, though, that some pick up your idea and release an 'APX with batteries and speakers' so to say. I'd buy one in an instant, maybe I should look further into hacking one together myself, too. Great for beach, campfire or similar occasions where it's too risky to leave you iPod plugged into the speakers.