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ShairPort emulator cracks open the door for more unofficial AirPlay streaming options

Donald Melanson — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:34:00 EST

There's already a few unofficial AirPlay applications out there, but looks like developer James Laird has now gotten right to the heart of the matter and enabled a whole host of new streaming possibilities. Here's apparently managed to crack the private key used by Apple in the AirPort Express (literally by ripping one open and dumping the ROM), and he's used that to build an emulator dubbed "ShairPort," which will let you stream music from iTunes to any third-party software -- or hardware, for that matter, if someone decided to go as far as to build a device that takes advantage of the private key. Have something in mind? You can download the emulator at the source link below.

ShairPort emulator cracks open the door for more unofficial AirPlay streaming options originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is BridgeCo the foundation for 'Made for AirPlay' Apple accessories?

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:08:00 EST

Hands up if you've ever heard of BridgeCo. No? Us neither, but that's about to change following a CNBC report detailing the company's relationship with Apple. BridgeCo is in the business of embedding its network media processor and software stack into its partners' audio equipment to enable wireless streaming. Now, according to a CNBC interview with BridgeCo CEO Gene Sheridan, Apple decided sometime last year to make BridgeCo an AirPlay launch partner. As such, any vendor that embeds BridgeCo's newest tech will be able to accept streaming audio (and its metadata) from an iTunes library or handheld iOS 4.2 device -- there's no mention of video or picture streaming although AirPlay supports both. According to CNBC, audio gear should start arriving with the BridgeCo software in time for the holidays allowing iTunes users to "mix and match their favorite equipment with a common software." What that means isn't exactly clear, though BridgeCo does offer the ability to link systems into a distributed home audio network that includes a "party mode" where all speakers are synced to play from a common source. Importantly, according to Sheridan, this is the first time that Apple has opened up its iTunes software to a third party, giving it a glimpse at the source code. Exclusively? That's the big question.

When Apple announced AirPlay, it listed Denon, Marantz, B&W, JBL, and iHome as "featured" partners. Coincidentally, in a blog post published two days after Apple's fall music event, BridgeCo listed all of these brands, with the exception of Marantz, as partners of its own. If you'll recall, the "Made for iPod" licensing program has provided a steady stream of revenue for Apple since 2005. And in the last few years, Apple has relied upon a proprietary authentication chip to authorize device compatibility and to unlock features such as video streaming. Apple undoubtedly seeks similar control over the expected rush of AirPlay-enabled devices in order to ensure a consistent user experience while making a few bucks on every third party accessory sold.

So is BridgeCo the new chip and software behind a "Made for AirPlay" accessory certification program? We can't say for sure. Sheriden does let on that the Apple deal's impact is "immense" and should provide more than half of the company's revenues. Needless to say, the idea of combining systems from multiple brands into a unified whole-home audio network is certainly attractive. Sonos and Squeezebox, your approach to distributed wireless audio is officially on notice.

Update: Computerworld published a second interview with Sheridan this morning that digs a bit deeper into BridgeCo's capabilities. For example, BridgeCo solutions support Pandora and Rhapsody streaming in addition to 12,000 streaming radio stations. BridgeCo also makes an SDK available to OEMs and developers. Now for the money quote: "The two companies spent the last year working together to develop AirPlay technology." In other words, BridgeCo is not just an AirPlay licensee, it helped develop the tech. Computerworld also confirms that AirPlay will be licensed similar to "Made for iPod" systems. And with all the speculation and rumor about Apple getting ready to offer its own subscription streaming service once its data center is complete (and contracts signed), it's easy to see how AirPlay could monetize Apple's bid to dominate the connected home audio market.

Is BridgeCo the foundation for 'Made for AirPlay' Apple accessories? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iHome teases first AirPlay-compatible portable speaker dock

Nilay Patel — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:21:00 EST

No surprise that iHome is first out of the gate with a speaker dock that's compatible with Apple's newly-open AirPlay music streaming system, but unfortunately the teaser page is maddeningly light on details -- all we know is that it'll have a rechargeable battery and be available for the holidays. We're actually pretty stoked for AirPlay gear -- the idea of setting up a quick mix-and-match whole-home audio system that can stream lossless audio straight from iTunes seems awfully hard to resist -- so we're eager to hear more about this thing, as well as the other third-party AirPlay devices like receivers and stereos that have been promised. We'll keep digging for more, so stay tuned.

[Thanks, Fred]

iHome teases first AirPlay-compatible portable speaker dock originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple's AirPlay music streaming coming to third party speaker docks, receivers, and stereos

Nilay Patel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:49:00 EST

Steve didn't mention it during his keynote just now, but in addition to bringing AirPlay music streaming to iOS 4.2 and iTunes 10, Apple's also opening the tech up to third parties, with a few big names already on board. That means you'll be able to stream music from iTunes, your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to speaker docks, receivers and stereos from companies like Denon, Marantz, Bowers & Wilkins, JBL and iHome, complete with song, album, and artist info and album art. That certainly makes the system much more flexible, especially since you can stream to multiple speakers at once -- and damn, building a mix-and-match whole-house audio system just got incredibly easy. We're definitely digging for more info on this and some release dates for compatible gear, we'll let you know.

[Thanks, Iain]

Apple's AirPlay music streaming coming to third party speaker docks, receivers, and stereos originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple demos iOS 4.2, features AirPlay media streaming

Paul Miller — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:15:00 EST

Apple is also talking up iOS 4.2 today, which will be everything iOS 4.1 is bringing, plus some extra goodies, and will finally bring iOS 4 (hello multitasking!) to the iPad. The most exciting of the new features is AirPlay, which is Apple's redub for AirTunes, with the important addition of being able to stream music and video to your i-device over WiFi (with an iPad even acting as host for the new Apple TV). Also over WiFi is a new wireless printing feature, complete with a little Print Center applet that sits in the dock and lets you manage your print jobs. It might not be sexy, but it's certainly a welcome addition to iOS. Apple will be launching iOS 4.2 for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices in November.

Gallery: Apple demoes iOS 4.2 for the iPad

Apple demos iOS 4.2, features AirPlay media streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iTunes 9 breaking AirTunes connections?

Donald Melanson — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:59:00 EST

Apple breaking support for third-party devices in iTunes may not have been all that unexpected, but you'd think it'd have support for its own products lined up before pushing a major update out the door -- especially something that it had already broken with the last major iTunes update. AirTunes users apparently aren't that lucky, however, as reports are now cropping up that iTunes 9 is breaking connections with the home audio streaming service left and right -- although at least a few people seem to be reporting only intermittent problems. No word from Apple itself just yet but, if the last go 'round is any indication, it should have a fix for the problem sooner or later. In the meantime, feel free to relay your tales of AirTunes woe in the comments.

[Thanks, Sami K]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless, Networking

iTunes 9 breaking AirTunes connections? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple TV 2.3 update adds AirTunes streaming, support for other IR remotes

Darren Murph — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:20:00 EST

For home theater junkies who've been having a difficult time taking the Apple TV seriously, you should definitely have a look at what the latest software update brings to the dinner table. First off, we should warn you that any non-Apple TV software (like, you know, Boxee) will be banished should you choose to update, but if you're kosher on that front, we'll continue on. Apple's changelog notes that AirTunes streaming is now enabled, meaning that tunes can be streamed from the STB to AirPort Express speakers or other ATV units nearby. Additionally, the box can now learn other remotes, meaning that you can probably get your universal remote to handle this bugger, too. The last big addition is that Playlists in iTunes can now be seen on Apple TV, and there's also support for volume control in Music. Grab the download from within your box now if you dare, and feel free to chime in with any other noteworthy changes you happen upon.

[Via TUAW]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Apple TV 2.3 update adds AirTunes streaming, support for other IR remotes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple TV 2.3 update adds AirTunes streaming, support for other IR remotes

Darren Murph — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:20:00 EST

Filed under: Media streamers, Set-top boxes, Apple

Apple TV 2.3 update adds AirTunes streaming, support for other IR remotes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iTunes 8 kills AirTunes, iPod touch causing BSOD

Joshua Fruhlinger — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:48:00 EST

We were all excited to stream Genius-generated playlists from iTunes 8 to our Airport Express last night when -- poof -- "-3256 Unknown Error Occurred." This cryptic error, along with another under the equally descriptive name "-15000," has been keeping iTunes 8 upgraders from using their Airtunes on remote speakers. Turns out the issue is one of Firewalls and Firmware. The solutions come from users at Apple's discussion boards. Basically, you need to either turn off your Firewall and / or allow iTunes to accept incoming requests or update your Airport Express to the latest (7.3.2 as of this post) firmware version via AirPort Utility 6.3. Meanwhile, Windows-based iPod touch users are seeing Blue Screens of Death when plugging in their players due to some other undocumented problem. The solution there looks to be a reboot with the touch plugged in to force the system to recognize the device, run a sync, and turn off photo syncing (not the most elegant solution, clearly). Let's hope Apple at least updates this with something more descriptive than "-3256" in the future. Customer service reps at Apple say they're aware of the problems and are working on a fix.

Read - iTunes 8 & Airtunes/Airport Express
Read - blue screen comes up when plugging in ipod

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Networking

iTunes 8 kills AirTunes, iPod touch causing BSOD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple launches 802.11n Airport Express right on cue

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:28:00 EST

What's this? New Product from Apple on a Monday? Why, yes, yes it is. The 802.11n Airport Express rumored over the weekend just became official. $99 takes the little iTunes streaming, pocket base station home to a draft-n network near you. Yes, today.

Filed under: Wireless

Apple launches 802.11n Airport Express right on cue originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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