Apple Rolls Out AirPort Express, AirTunes 795
das writes "Apple has introduced AirPort Express (specs), a palm-sized, portable 802.11g base station with 10/100 ethernet, USB printer sharing, and analog and optical audio output, for connection to a stereo system or powered speakers for streaming your music collection via 'AirTunes.' It supports multiple profiles for easy use at multiple locations It can plug directly into the wall as a "power brick", or use a longer power cord, similar to the newer PowerBook AC adapters. AirTunes requires iTunes 4.6, expected to be available soon."
iPod with WiFi next? (Score:5, Interesting)
Next step: having an iPod with WiFi that streams music/video to this baby! That would be super cool, and such a fun party trick. No more cables.
One Big LAME (Score:2, Interesting)
apple innovates again (Score:4, Interesting)
notice as well.. the thing has OPTICAL out capabilities. i see 5.1 surround coming from itunes soon.
Re:Nifty for the price - but not a Squeezebox (Score:2, Interesting)
Questions (Score:5, Interesting)
It looks like you can also use this in a wired fashion, where you connect this device to your wired network, and it will do the audio out as well. For me this would be more handy, because I already have ethernet wire to my stereo, but need a good way to get audio out of that... Is this actually how it will work?
One thing this is missing is a way to control iTunes remotely. I still think slimp3 is on the right track. A server with a web interface that lets you control what music you're playing where. I might want my PC in my office in charge of storing and dishing out the music, but have a webpad or something floating around my house to let people control what is playing where.
Re:Nifty for the price - but not a Squeezebox (Score:0, Interesting)
Sounds good to me (Score:4, Interesting)
This is perfect for it's target market (Score:5, Interesting)
My friends often listen to music on their iBooks while sitting on the couch, they currently have a long speaker cable from the audio out to their stereo system. They will buy this in a second.
I'll be grabbing one as a wireless printer server and WiFi extender.
Did anyone else not see this product coming? It completely caught me by surprise/
Doesn't look like you can sync multiple devices (Score:2, Interesting)
It's More Than Music (Score:3, Interesting)
So, yeah...compared to the full features of a Squeezebox for music, it's lacking. And compared to the price of a Linksys or other 802.11 router...a little more expensive.
I'll take wireless access to my stereo from my G5...which I already drive around via Bluetooth from my phone when I'm too lazy to move off the couch. Who needs a remote??
Audio Specs (Score:1, Interesting)
I cut my teeth on apple back whe a Mac 128 was current. They seemed to have been moving father and farther from being tied to any specs in the last 10 years.
Re:One Big LAME (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Nifty for the price - but not a Squeezebox (Score:5, Interesting)
especially since it is $60 cheaper.
Almost perfect (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Nifty for the price - but not a Squeezebox (Score:3, Interesting)
I found mine for $39 with very little effort. Makes a great all-around remote, I've not yet done any custom mapping and it works great for iTunes and MPlayer.
Perhaps (Score:3, Interesting)
Perhaps it would be nifty if there was a program that would take files that you bought, you would supply your key, and then it would strip the DRM from the file so you could use your iTMS purchased tunes fairly?
Then you wouldn't be locked into an apple-only solution. Does that make sense?
Re:One Big LAME (Score:4, Interesting)
Forgive me for being rude, but the LAME thing here is your quickness at dismissing it. It is a pretty cool product for the price.
Ambiguous market appeal (Score:2, Interesting)
This does to many things without doing any of them well. My base station has a WAN port and a 4-port switch as well as wireless. If you want to plug any LAN machines into this, you can't. You'd need a switch/hub upstream, I guess, as well as a firewall. It makes a good base station only for those who only have wireless connections.
Of course, you'd probably have trouble plugging this into your LAN anyway, since you'll want it next to your stereo in order to stream music to it...and I guess you'd put your printer next to your stereo in the living room as well?
I actually think it's a cool idea to have an inexpensive, wireless device for streaming music from iTunes, but this seems like a case of feature creep. "Hey, it's already got the wireless chips, why not make it work as a base station too? Yeah, and if we added ethernet and USB, you could use it as a base station! Cool!"
-podom
Watch, this is a Trojan Horse... (Score:5, Interesting)
Note to Apple (Score:5, Interesting)
However, I don't *want* to stream iTunes (AirTunes
Can *any* device do this without a TV? I found this DVD player [com.com], but it's not what I'm looking for, either.
This thing is awsome, a few questions (Score:4, Interesting)
Repeating with non-Apple base stations (Score:3, Interesting)
O-M-G... this is amazing (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Wow what a POS (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Nifty for the price - but not a Squeezebox (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm planning to purchase one and hook it up to Input 2 of my powered speakers (Input 1 goes to the television.) That way, I can sprawl on the couch and, when I run out of things to watch on the Tivo, click buttons on Synergy (an iTunes menu-bar controller) or the iTunes window, and instead of coming out of my Powerbook's cheap speakers, the music will play out of the much better Sonys.
Plus, it's a wireless print server, so I could get a photo printer and stick it in the living room on the lowest shelf of the TV cart and print out photos from time to time. And it's a wireless repeater, which means I can finally sit on the porch on nice evenings and surf the web. (That last might not work until I get an Apple branded basestation, but I won't know for sure till I get one of these things.)
As for audio connectors - it's got a standard 1/8" headphone jack. You can use any adapters you like for hooking up stereo equipment to that. My speakers will (I think; I'm at work) require a 1/8" to RCA adapter cable, and I happen to have several lying in a drawer here in the video equipment pile.
I'm going to get this so I don't have to splurge for the home media option on the Tivo - I don't like the interface the Tivo is using, I don't need the photo streaming, I do need a wireless repeater, and the print server function may someday be useful to me.
Apple DVD Player support? (Score:2, Interesting)
Combine that with an Apple Cinema HD display, and any ADC equiped PowerBook or PowerMac becomes a pretty cool Home Theater PC (HTPC).
Does anyone know if this does/or will work?
Ted
Re:Nifty for the price - but not a Squeezebox (Score:5, Interesting)
Applescript and Salling Clicker will make this awesome. And a $130 bridge will help me to get better reception in the bedroom, which is very far from the base station and through a cinder-block wall and a chimney.
This thing is amazing... just amazing.
iTunes interface clearly a matter of opinion (Score:2, Interesting)
No HomePlug / Powerline ethernet? (Score:3, Interesting)
Since this thing doubles as a wall wart and powerline ethernet requires a direct plug connection without a power strip, it should have been a no-brainer to include.
Addition (Score:4, Interesting)
Peace
10 Client Limit (Score:2, Interesting)
The one thing missing (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Call Me Amish, But... (Score:2, Interesting)
And if you haven't guessed; this long explanation is more for those seemingly angry mods who don't seem to understand the intent, humour or meaning of my original post than for you.
It's a scary thought that a post which jokes that there should be limits to our unending mass consumption is nearly instantly modded down, when it's obviously a problem in North American society, and fundamentally ONtopic rather than off when dealing with a "convenience" product such as this.
Similar to Creative Labs Wireless solution (Score:3, Interesting)
http://us.creative.com/products/product.
Apple has the marketing power so their solution will probably sell better. Maybe when Apple let's you control the music via your iPod, it'll be as nice. Until then I'd take Creative Labs system, even if it's not perfect.
Re:Since it's on topic.... (Score:3, Interesting)
I posted this in an earlier comment but it's pretty interesting so I will post it again:
The CompUSA in San Antonio (and presumably, CompUSA's elsewhere) is selling the Linksys WRT54G Router/Access Point [linksys.com] for $59.95 after instant and mail-in rebates. IIRC, the mail-in rebate is for $10. This is a great little Linux-based router that can be reflashed with custom firmware [cyberemail.org] if you so choose.
Re:Almost perfect (Score:3, Interesting)
Does anyone know if this will work? The specs on the site are a little sketchy.
Re:This rocks! They will sell millions. (Score:3, Interesting)
I do think they're going to sell a lot of them, but my slimp3 does stuff I don't see this doing...in particular, it allows more than one person to manage the music that's going on in the house. When we're listening to music, it's rare that only one of us is contributing to the play list. My wife will add some tracks, I'll add some tracks, maybe a kid will add a couple...
Before the slimp3, I had an ad-hoc system with ssh and a NetBSD box hooked up to the stereo that did it. We'd always fight for control of the thing. I'd like to avoid that (as well as having another machine that just does the music since we currently run the slimp3 server on a Solaris box in another room and operate it from our powerbook/ibooks).
I kinda dig the UI on the slimp3, too. It's nice being able to see what's going on.
Now, a remote controlled itunes to operate the thing might make things better.
It's certainly a cool device, though.
Worth the buy... (Score:1, Interesting)
Not only that, it has an audio out. I don't have to think of some elaborate setup with a dummy box I can shh into and play music. Plus, it's a wifi repeater.
For 130bucks, I think it's a steal. But, I'm a lil iffy. I'm a linux and windows user. I don't have a mac product in the house. Maybe it's better off I wait for the second generation.
Re:Airport Express != slimp3 (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Watch, this is a Trojan Horse... (Score:5, Interesting)
This is the problem with Apple innovation, it seems so obvious and logical in retrospect that you tend to discount it because it is so elegant and obvious.
But it's also interesting to note that Apple continues to innovate in ways that Microsoft can't because they're tied to a software only model and let others make the hardware (except for the X-Box). And it's also interesting because Apple seems to approach everything from a "modular" angle, letting bits and pieces build on each other as technology matures as opposed to the MS way of saying "this is how we are going to innovate, so all you better start." In short, Apple cuts out the nebulous third "????" step, patiently waiting until all the technology is there, all their ducks in order and then they release it and it isn't some half-assed near solution but a complete paradigm.
Look at the PowerBook. They held off on G4's until they could do them right.
Airport Extreme as a tether cutter (Score:3, Interesting)
First, the Airport Extreme gives laptop users a wireless path to the Internet (or an extended range if they already have a router).
Second, the last major tether to the desk can finally be removed off a laptop: the printer. With the Airport Express, a laptop user can finally roam freely on a WiFi network and not have to re-wire in order to print a document.
Third, especially for iBook users, a laptop user will not have to be restricted to their tiny built-in speakers in order to listen to music while moving around the house. The Airport Extreme will cut the wire from having an awesome external speaker connected to the laptop, and give users the ability to listen to their laptop music through those speakers wherever they go. And since a laptop user usually brings their laptops along, no remote is usually necessary (unless you're extremely lazy).
While the lack of remote support can be a pain to desktop users, the Airport Express, in my view, is a godsend to laptop users.
Already did this manually... to buy or not to buy. (Score:3, Interesting)
Setup is pretty much as follows:
Both my Xbox (modded & running XBMC) and my studio box (older PM G4) access my fileserver via a Samba share. Both XBMC and iTunes are controlled via my handspring visor's (using a Xircom springboard modules) browser (XBMC has integrated webbrowsing, but I had to use DeadEnd's webRemote to control iTunes). Next, Both devices are mixed in through an old Fostex board and broadcast via a low powered stereo transmitter.
This not only allows me to play all of my Ogg, Mp3 and AAC files on any stereo (or walkman) on (and around ;-) ) my home/property, it also allows me to control the tunes as I choose.
It works quite well... but with a lot of obvious steps. (The biggest is using both the Xbox and the Mac... which I could overcome if I'd go ahead and strip my protected AAC's). Not sure if I'll go Apple's preferred route or not... but it is tempting.
Re:The coolest feature (Score:3, Interesting)
Combined optical/minijack examples
Audio out: iriver ihp-1xx series units (atleast, probably more, i just own the 120 model)
Audio in: NJB3, iriver ihp-1xx series, every freakin minidisc portable unit under the sun post like 1995.
Not a flame, but this isnt new, by any long shot.
Now that I've burned my optrotunity to mod this article (and 2 points already gone), I might as well note that if this thing passes through itunes, and anything itunes will play, gets forwarded correctly, then those out there who have dedicated servies already, could run Namp (namp.sourceforge.net) which can build m3u and shoutcast playlists, which do work in itunes, and shuffle your audio that way, *and* even have it be unit independant if you can continually add songs to the list post-creation (I dunno, still installing the modperl stuff on mine).
It would work better if you had (wait for it), a G5 with ssh and stuff running and acting as a server, but yeah, that would make my life a lot simpler anyway.
-- Page
Re:Nifty for the price - but not a Squeezebox (Score:2, Interesting)
With a cursory read of the specs I only see that the ASUS has WDS (wireless bridging) while the Apple only acts as a extender. The Apple however is a USB print server and has audio out, and has no power brick, making it much more portable. Those both seem to appeal to a much broader group of people than the WDS. Worth twice as much? Maybe not for all. but an wireless XP/OS X compatible printer server is definitely of interesting to me, as is the portability.
Re:sigh (Score:2, Interesting)
Bought an iPod recently and am really happy with it.
Re:Watch, this is a Trojan Horse... (Score:3, Interesting)
I would, however, like to see Apple truly create a market. Someone else mentioned how cool it would be to see Apple create a wireless iPod, or a remote that can connect to these devices. That would absolutely rock, and would bring the "smart home" to the forefront like nothing before it.
Re:This is perfect for it's target market (Score:3, Interesting)
Lets say you also have a server which is connected via the wireless network, but this has a cable modem attached to it and it is running internet connection sharing or some other software routing program.
You can then use AirTunes to put music in it all from one Mac/PC running itunes, with only short audio cables to the stereo from the Airport express.
It's actually a great idea, and the idea of plugging it directly into the power outlet is a great gimmick that I think Apple has used very cleverly to help people understand the simplicity of it.
Going back to the Mac to change a song (Score:2, Interesting)
Embeded Darwin? (Score:2, Interesting)
I run the GREAT daapd [deleet.de] project on my Gentoo system to stream out my music to all the machines at my home network and to work. I was recently thinking "how much power would it take to embed that project and take on the squeeze box?".
But, knowing how small the mach kernel is, could this all be run via real software? Airport is mainly run my hardware controlled by a tinny bit of firmware, but given this thing has more features than your average home router, do you think Apple has stripped down Darwin to create it?
Think about, the development for getting CUPS, mDNS, DHCPD, their DAAP, their firewall, the airport driver might out weigh the cost of a hardware with enough power to run an embedded system.
Remote control (Score:3, Interesting)
The solution: I'm betting a WiFi module/adapter for the iPod. You can either stream music from the iPod to the AE, or you can use the iPod's controls and display to control (the possibly larger) library on your computer.
iPod -> WiFi -> Airport Express
or
iPod -> WiFi -> Computer w/ iTunes -> WiFi -> Airport Express
Since you'd be using it around the house/office/hotel, the lessened run time of the iPod from powering the WiFi adapter would not be an issue.
As an ancillary benefit, the iPod would also function as a remote control for iPhoto and Keynote.
iBook, iPod and Airport Express, your total wireless presentation system.
Another use for your EPIA board... (Score:3, Interesting)
Luckily, since I had FreeBSD 5.2.1 (Release) running on the old Celeron HP Desktop, I was able to use the built in FireWire support, load the Apple File System Geometry kernel extension and compile a UFS/UFS+ file system mounting utilities on FreeBSD and get the previously underused FireWire drive shared over the network via SAMBA (as well as it's 2 internal 8GB Drives). All told, it took like 45 minutes to get it up and running.
Unfortunately, the HP is rather loud (the power supply fan) and annoying to have on. A EPIA based setup would be PERFECT to run FreeBSD and serve as a general file server.
Also, I suspect that whatever protocol Apple is using to stream audio over the network to the Airport Express will soon be dissected and reverse engineered (love those Slashdot Hardware hackers!!) and you'll soon be able to stream from your EPIA as well as use your Firewire drives as NAS. But if you want to ditch the EPIA setup right now, drop me an e-mail.
DaveC
Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)
Your phone is your remote (Score:2, Interesting)
I have this for my Palm Tungsten and Nokia 3650 phone, both bluetooth enabled. You can basically control most any application on your mac. ITunes is the most compelling example. Bring it up on your phone and it connects via Bluetooth to you Mac. From there you can start itunes, and navigate to the songs/playlists/browse-whatever (just like the iPod) and completely control iTunes. You can pause, fast forward, control the volume. The album art shows up for the currently playing song. It really is unbelievably cool. The only thing missing up to now was an actual use, for me at least. I can now control my stereo fully from my phone.
Oh, another cool thing: incoming calls cause it to pause. Same with DVDs.
Not bad for $20.
Ooooohhhh.... It has a USB port... (Score:2, Interesting)
An lcd [matrixorbital.com]
A remote control [ati.com]
Anything from M-Audio! [m-audio.com] - MIDI interface, keyboard, a (real) audio interface...
microcontroller --> endless possibilities.... [cypress.com]
flash drive, or a flash card reader
usb drive enclosure - harddrive, CD-R...
Re:Another use for your EPIA board... (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm currently trying to make it act as a wireless base station: it has a perfectly good Airport card in it, so I might as well. But the damn thing won't play ball! The simple sharing thing that Mac OS X lets you do is absent in X Server, and there's no way to control the card, and thus no way that I can find to establish a network. I can get tantalizingly close: it knows the card is there and will let you tell it to serve PAT and DHCP to it, but it won't set up an actual network. And I can set up a computer-to-computer network, but that automatically forces the IP addresses into the 'self-selected' range, and ignores the settings in the server setup utilities.
Grr. Frustrating.
-fred
Wish List.... (Score:3, Interesting)
2) Integrate it into a next-gen iPod. If someone comes over with their iPod, I want them to be able to select my stereo and play music. It's a great idea, and it's just yet another reason why the iPod needs WiFi.
3) While you're at it, allow people to put their iPods into "broadcast" mode while they're listening, and let us select the audio from any other iPod in the area. I'm not saying I want to browse their collections - I just want the opportunity to listen to what someone else is listening to. If we can do more than that, great, but I'd settle for a live stream.
4) Pass out this technology to all the games console folks. They can choose whether they decide to include it in their console, turning each console into an AirTunes port I can select, or decide to allow you to select an AirTunes port as the game audio port.
The benefits of this stuff won't really be there until absolutely anything can use it; open it up.
AirTunes Brand Name?? (Score:3, Interesting)
Imagine home electronics with a built-in WIFI receiver that is able to decode Protected-AAC and will show up in iTunes automatically as soon as you plug it in!
I can't wait to buy a AirTunes iPod.
Sure, they will have their own devices, but I bet it will also be a new "port" for other companies to use - same as FireWire has become so ubiquitous on video equipment.
And for all you audiophiles out there, remember, iTunes can play apple's loss-less compressed format and the AirPort Express does have a digital audio out, so don't whine about the sound quality of playing compressed audio through your $40,000 stereo.
Re:Airport Express != slimp3 (Score:2, Interesting)