Slipstream lets you stream audio from any application to the AirPort Express
By Peter Rojas 
posted Dec 25th 2004 2:10PM
posted Dec 25th 2004 2:10PM
Rogue Amoeba Software is coming out with a new application called Slipstream that'll let you kick AirTunes to the
curb and stream audio from most any application, rather than just iTunes, to your AirPort Express. There was
some noise a few months back that superhacker DVD Jon had supposedly
broken the encryption Apple uses to send audio to the AirPort
Express, but we're guessing that Rogue Amoeba must have figured out some other way to stream audio to the AirPort
Express that doesn't involve any code cracking. At least not if they want to stay in business—though Apple shouldn't
fret, this'll only help them move more of the AirPort Express.
[Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog]
Because the temporary fix for AirPort Express audio streaming is to use an audio broadcasting utility, setting iTunes to play to the AirPort Express, and connecting to the audio stream on localhost generated by the broadcasting utility, I have a feeling all Slipstream does is to automate the process. That means it isn't a true streaming solution.
Finally an application I can send audio not just from iTunes!
With external monitor possible and viewing movies from a larger screen, Apple should have made an application native to stream music to a better speaker. I guess someone else has already step in.
nice idea with the dvd audio streaming. but, there'd necessarily have to be some latency issues since the audio is a stream, while the video is a live feed.
you can probably tinker with VLC settings to manually 'lag' the video. but, i think this would need some more work before DVD playback is ready for primetime.
now, if i only had XM or sirius....
It's a given that Apple has already thought of this and we'll probably see it built into Tiger (OS X 10.4) when it is released in 2005.
Peter - As they say, rumors of our death have been greatly exaggerated.
memodude - Slipstream is a "true streaming solution". It works entirely by itself, and does not require iTunes in any way.
How about a version ported to the PC?
Oh, and Apple isn't going to like this even if it has the odd side effect of selling more Airport Express devices. I suspect that Apple could disable this product with iTunes 4.8 and a firmware update to the AXPress