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Apple releases AirPlay video for 4.2 iPad feature
Apple has released a new promotional video that informs customers about AirPlay, the iOS 4.2 (and iTunes) feature that lets customers stream movies, music and photos from an iOS device to a current-generation Apple TV, Airport Express-connected speakers or AirPlay-enabled speakers.* We're testing this now, but the happy actor in the video makes it look easy. Just tap the AirPlay icon on your iOS device to send video, audio or photos to the appropriate device. With the multitasking power of iOS 4.2, you can even leave the video app playing, for example, and knock off a game of Angry Birds while you watch your show. Note that AirPlay is very much a one-way street. That means you can send data from an iOS device to an Apple TV or speakers, and that's it. No iPad to Mac, for example, or Mac streaming to iDevices (although you can use third-party tools like Air Video and AirFoil to get the effect). Still, it's a swell feature that we'll cover more in-depth for you soon. In the meantime, enjoy the video after the break. *From partners like JBL and iHome.
Apple rolling out Apple TV 4.1 alongside iOS 4.2 today for perfect AirPlay harmony (update: it's live)
Macworld is reporting that Apple's promising to roll out (at long last!) Apple TV 4.1 at the same time iOS 4.2 hits, at around 1PM Eastern today (roughly nowish). Sure, we could hit some last minute snags, but we want to believe. Especially after we reviewed the new versions of the softwares on our new-lease-on-life iPad, blasting AirPlay video all over the house like it was going out of style. In addition to being able to play video to your Apple TV from your iTunes-equipped PC or iOS-based device, the new Apple TV software adds VoiceOver support for spoken menus and meta data. Update: It's live, we're downloading it now and basically just having the time of our lives!
iOS 4.1 for Apple TV available now
The updates keep coming today, and now iOS 4.2.1 4.1 for Apple TV is available. This update supports the much-anticipated AirPlay feature in iOS 4.2, which allows compatible iOS devices running 4.2 stream content to the Apple TV. This is build 8C150 and can be found via your Apple TV's update feature or directly here.* We've been waiting to test AirPlay ourselves and will have a review of the feature up soon. For now, grab the update, start playing around and plan how you'll be showing off your new toys this holiday season. Update: Corrected the version number. The latest iOS for Apple TV lists itself as "Software Version 4.1." *Note: If you grab the manual download, you'll need to use iTunes and option-click the update to push it to your Apple TV. [Via MacStories]
iOS 4.2 available today, brings the iPad into the multitasking era (update: it's live)
You've waited a long while for this day to come, but here it finally is. Apple is today rolling out iOS 4.2 to iPads and qualifying iPhones (3G, 3GS and 4) and iPod touches (second, third and fourth generation) across the globe, delivering the long-awaited multitasking and app folder enhancements to a tablet that was already supposed to be magical and revolutionary. To see whether this new update -- replete with Game Center, AirPlay and AirPrint additions -- really helps the iPad step up to doubleplusgood territory, check out our full review; everyone else, hit up your nearest iTunes 10.1-equipped computer to get your update on. Update: Plug in your iPhones and iPads, the 624.3MB update is rolling out now. Looks like it's starting in Europe, given the joyous cackles from our editors across the pond. Screenshot after the break. Update 2: Now available within US borders as well.
Apple TV 4.1 update also coming today
It only makes sense: the AirPlay video streaming features of iOS 4.2 on the iPad are all well and good, but there's no way to use them effectively if the Apple TV doesn't get a version bump along with the mobile devices. Sure enough, AppleInsider notes that 4.1 for the Apple TV should be coming along about the same time as 4.2 drops. Besides the video and audio streaming capability, the update is also going to add VoiceOver accessibility to the iOS-based Apple TV. Macworld says the feature will read menu items, media metadata and song titles to help visually impaired users. [via Macgasm]
iPhone 3G excluded from AirPlay support
Support for Apple's new AirPlay is supposedly excluded from the iPhone 3G, reports 9to5Mac. Designed to let users stream their iTunes library anywhere in their house via WiFi or an Ethernet connection, AirPlay technology will be found in all manner of audio/video equipment in the coming months, including the AirPort Express and Apple TV. However, it looks like it's only going to be for mobile users with the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, not those still using 3Gs. While Apple's own website states that "AirPlay is coming soon and will be available on all iOS 4 devices," which one would imagine includes the 3G iPhone, it looks like it is not meant to be. Even though Apple is currently dealing with a class-action lawsuit regarding the performance of 3G iPhones after installing iOS 4, seems that they have decided that the iPhone 3G just isn't capable of working properly with AirPlay. Personally, I have been using the iTunes Remote app, multiple AirPort Express units, two Tivoli radio units, and Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil software to stream my music library, so I am looking forward to trying out AirPlay here at home to see how it compares. That is, when I finally get around to downloading iTunes 10.1 with AirPlay support, which was made available earlier today.
iTunes 10.1 is out, brings video AirPlay and iOS 4.2 compatibility
We've already got the Mac OS X update, and here's iTunes 10.1. Next stop? iOS 4.2. If your copy of iTunes isn't pushing the update, you can head to Apple's page where it'll be there, waiting for you. In addition to paving way for the new iOS, iTunes 10.1 adds the much anticipated video AirPlay feature (it launched as audio only), so fire up that Apple TV and push yourself some vids! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iTunes 10.1 live now, introduces AirPlay and iOS 4.2
iTunes 10.1 is now available in a Software Update near you -- the latest version of Apple's all-in-one music library/iOS sync/movie rental/social network/educational material application (why's it still just called iTunes again?) introduces AirPlay compatibility (as promised), lines up the iOS 4.2 release with all kinds of goodies for iPhone and iPad owners, and includes that special sauce that seems to come with all big Apple releases: "stability and performance improvements." But don't take our word for it -- hit up your Software Update right now and find the new version for yourself. If you spot something in there that we didn't know about, be sure to let us know about it, too.
iOS 4.2 and iPhone: New features, fixes and changes
Most of the focus on the forthcoming iOS 4.2 update has been on the iPad, and rightly so. The iPad is finally getting marquee features that most iPhone users have enjoyed for months, like multitasking and folder support. iOS 4.2 doesn't bring as many changes to the iPhone as it does to the iPad, but it does introduce a few new features to the iPhone. iOS 4.2 is expected to go live later this week sometime soon, but we'll give you a brief rundown of the new features today. Note that most of these features should be identical on newer versions of the iPod touch, so anywhere I say "iPhone" (which is all I've got to test with), you can probably safely assume I mean iPhone/iPod touch. AirPlay The biggest new feature in iOS 4.2 is AirPlay, which allows you to stream audio to an Apple TV, AirPort Express, or AirPlay-enabled third-party system. You'll also be able to stream video to an Apple TV, but since I don't own one I haven't been able to test that part of the functionality. AirPlay icon on the right -- blue means it's working Select which destination you want to stream to In my testing, AirPlay has worked not just in apps you'd expect it to work, like the iPod and YouTube apps. At least in the iOS 4.2 gold master, AirPlay will stream audio from any app, including games. Before you get too excited by the prospect of playing Canabalt's awesome soundtrack through your surround sound system, there's an important caveat: there's a delay of approximately two seconds between actions on your iPhone and output from external speakers, caused by the encoding and decoding of the audio stream. In other words, if you're playing Flight Control on your iPhone and streaming audio to your stereo over AirPlay, sounds will be delayed by two seconds or more. Obviously this is less than ideal, so it's somewhat surprising that Apple's enabled AirPlay at all for these kinds of apps. In apps specifically designed for AirPlay, like iPod and YouTube, the iOS software is smart enough to delay video output on your iPhone so that it syncs up with the audio stream. You can watch music videos or movies on your iPhone and play the sound over AirPlay to external speakers. This is a truly "gee-whiz" feature, and it's almost sold me on the idea of getting an Apple TV so I can stream video, too. Click "Read More" to see the rest of iOS 4.2's features on the iPhone.
iHome's iW1 AirPlay dock gets detailed
We're all expecting iOS 4.2 to hit sometime this week and bring AirPlay streaming with it, and it looks like iHome is getting prepared -- the company just updated its AirPlay speaker dock page with more info. The iW1, as it's been named, is much slicker than its minimalist looks would suggest: the portable speaker system features a built-in lithium-ion battery with an inductive charging base so you can just grab and go, Bongiovi Acoustics audio, capacitive touch controls and support for iHome's iOS configuration apps, and a USB port for charging and local audio playback. Oh, and it can stream music from iOS devices and iTunes using AirPlay, of course. Sadly, there's still no price or ship date, but if this thing is priced anywhere close to earth we'd say the Sonos S5 has got itself some serious competition.
Mac OS X 10.6.5 update available now
And look at what we have here! That's right, the rumored Mac OS X 10.6.5 update is dropping as we speak. What this will mean for the impending iOS release (and the whole AirPrint thing) remains to be seen, but in the meantime you can get started now if you want to ooh and ahh at the various implemented fixes, including improved Microsoft Exchange server reliability, improved MainStage performance ("on certain Macs"), and various security improvements. For more info, hit that source. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iOS 4.2 coming Friday with iTunes and Mac OS X updates, sans AirPrint? (update)
We knew it was coming, and now we're hearing from MacStories (and their source at AT&T, who was probably wearing a trench coat and fedora) that iOS 4.2 for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad will roll out beginning this Friday, November 12, at 10AM PST. Of course, in order to take advantage AirPlay we'll have to see an update to iTunes as well, which is good because iTunes 10.1 is rumored to be coming tomorrow today at some point. But that ain't all! It seems that the website of note for Mac stories has been hearing from devs that references to AirPrint have been disappearing from online documentation in the iOS developer center, leading to speculation that Mac OS X 10.6.5 (also rumored to hit tomorrow today) will not have the ability to print wirelessly after all. We can't speak to the veracity of all these claims, but we're pretty sure we can look forward to a new OS for our Apple handhelds before the week is over. Update: Of course, as Benedict Murray pointed out in the comments, if there really were a conspiracy afoot to disappear AirPrint, Apple certainly would have dropped it from the product page. So we'll see.
Computer World: Apple is "taking over the game market"
Will Apple one day soon supplant Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony as the king of the gaming market? ComputerWorld's Jonny Evans makes a good argument for that outcome in his latest column. As portable devices like the iPhone and iPad get increasingly powerful, the games that can be played directly on them are looking better all the time. Just in terms of portable game sales, iOS devices easily beat the Sony PSP in volume and are competitive with, if not beating, long time champion Nintendo. Looking forward, the horsepower of console systems will likely increase but it may not be enough to help stay afloat. Apple will shortly be rolling out AirPlay which allows media to be sent from the portable device to an Apple TV. There is no reason that AirPlay can't be expanded to include sending games from the iPad screen to the big screen. It's also probable that Apple will add app downloads to the Apple TV itself which could potentially allow the handheld device to simply be the controller. Services like OnLive are already demonstrating that a fast internet pipe and a server farm can take the place of the local console. Apple still hasn't revealed what it plans to do with its North Carolina data center, but there is no reason why it couldn't support high-end gaming in addition to streaming music and video. It's looking like the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii may well be the last generation of the traditional gaming console.
iOS 4.2 Gold Master release seeded to developers
The day all iPad users have been waiting for is just about upon us; iOS 4.2 has finally gone Gold Master. Apple is giving developers the go-ahead to download what will likely be the final release version of its latest mobile operating system and SDK. While all but the first generation iPhones and iPod touches will be eligible for the update, the big news is that the iPad will finally move up to the fourth generation of iOS, gaining multitasking and app folders. All the iOS 4.2 devices will be adding two marquee features: Air Print for remote printing via a networked Mac or compatible HP hardware, and Air Play to hand off video playback to the iOS-based Apple TV. The new OS should be available for general download sometime in the next couple of weeks. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
iOS 4.2 goes gold, available now to developers (updated)
The iPad's ticket to multitasking freedom -- better known as iOS 4.2 -- has moves past the beta phase and onto GM, which means retail units should be seeing it soon. Besides the iPad, Apple is also providing builds for the second, third, and fourth generations of the iPod touch, along with the iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4... so if you've got a friend with an iPhone Developer Program subscription, now would be a great time to get cozy. Update: Apple made some last minute tweaks that give fast access to brightness, volume, and AirPlay controls right in the multitasking bar (pictured after the break). Apple's also on the verge of allowing MobileMe service logins using an Apple ID. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Marantz expands AirPlay support to four devices, keeps on charging for the privilege
If you liked the idea of paying £40 (about $65) for the right to access your media via AirPlay on the Marantz Melody Media receiver, you're going to love paying the same to do the same on three further devices that the company has confirmed will be getting similar updates. Those new devices are the SR7005 receiver, the AV7005 AV preamp, and the NA7004 network audio player. It's unclear exactly when these updates will release, or how much they'll cost, but just think of the wonder they'll bring to the eyes of your children and your children's children.
Five reasons why Apple TV matters
Steve Jobs admitted it. Apple TV is a hobby. He has stated so more than once. But there are compelling reasons to believe that the newly released Apple TV Mark 2 matters even more than its expected sales (currently estimated at about a million devices per quarter) might indicate. Here are some of the points that I believe are why Apple TV matters. Apple skipped PVR and moved straight to content on demand. With the concept of a shared data cloud growing ever more important, a limited storage device that feeds on streamed content offers an exciting peek at our future. Apple's rent-don't-buy model transforms Apple TV into a controllable point-of-entertainment device outside of the iTunes purchase and TiVo recording model that has dominated the last decade. If you want to Netflix your entertainment, Apple TV provides that feature at a great price point, as well. Click "Read More" to check out the other four reasons.
Marantz claims title of 'world's first AirPlay certified music system,' Denon begs to differ
It's been just over a month since Apple first showed off AirPlay media streaming, part of iOS 4.2, and now we have another receiver adding compatibility. Marantz is calling its Melody Media receiver "the world's first AirPlay certified music system," a title that we think Denon, who announced compatibility last week, might take issue with. Regardless, the systems are quite similar, even sharing a nearly identical form-factor and neither actually being compatible with AirPlay out of the box. Marantz's option will require a £40 firmware update, available next month, which seems a bit excessive given the up-front cost of the thing: £499.90. But, perhaps there's some sort of licensing fee involved here Marantz doesn't want to pay on each and every one shipped. The receiver offers dual stereo amps with 60 watts per channel, the ability to load MP3s from its integrated CD drive, and a USB connection on the front for connecting older devices that cannot play through the very air we breathe. How terribly pedestrian. Update: And the reason why these receivers look so similar? Both companies are owned by the same parent: D&M Holdings. Perhaps this slightly optimistic statement by Marantz boils down to simple sibling rivalry.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Apple TV and oddball video formats
Hey Auntie TUAW, I just ordered my new Apple TV, and have a ton of footage in MKV, AVI, etc. which probably won't work with iTunes, let alone my Apple TV. What can I do to batch convert and import all my movies to iTunes, which will work with Apple TV and be as high-rez as possible? With all my love, Ari
Apple TV restores in iTunes via micro-USB, UI hacked onto iPod touch (video)
It sure didn't take long for the dev community to hack into Apple TV's iOS build. One of the first payouts is a port of Apple TV's "lowtide" 10-foot user interface to an iPod touch as briefly demonstrated in the first video after the break. While not very useful on such a small display, that could change when ported to the iPad's bigger 10-inch display. In fact, that might be Apple's plan according to our friend Erica Sadun who's been busily spelunking the Apple TV's disk image. She posits that the iPad could launch the lowtide UI when responding to AirPlay requests in a future iOS build. Another minor victory was achieved by TUAW reader Arix who spliced the Apple TV's AirPlay daemon onto a jailbroken iPhone 3GS thus allowing it to receive AirPlay streams (second video). But the best news of all, perhaps, is the ability to restore the Apple TV in iTunes by connecting its micro-USB port to your computer. That means that existing PC- and Mac-based jailbreak tools can be updated to work over the connection. In fact, TinyUmbrella has already been updated to backup the Apple TV's SHSH blobs in order to preserve your ability to downgrade in the future. With 8GB of storage and 256MB of RAM to play with, we suspect this little media puck will become quite the developer playground, with or without Apple's consent.
