“The next version of Apple’s AirPort Express wireless base station may bundle a wireless remote control, according to hints dropped via an obscure error message in the latest version of the company’s iTunes jukebox software,” AppleInsider reports. “If a user has configured a firewall, the first time iTunes 4.8 is launched a dialog will read, ‘Your computer is using a firewall software the prevents you from sharing music or using a remote control for AirTunes… When Apple chief executive Steve Jobs first demonstrated the AirPort Express, the Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg told Jobs the biggest problem he saw was that users had to get up and walk to their computers to change play lists and songs. Jobs responded with a joke, saying he thought walking was good. But when pressed further, Jobs just smiled a wry smile…”
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Keyspan Express Remote supports Apple Airport Express and AirTunes – November 10, 2004
Apple ships new AirPort Express with AirTunes with over 80,000 pre-orders – July 14, 2004
A look at Apple’s AirTunes, AirPort Express and the future – June 19, 2004
Apple releases iTunes 4.6 featuring AirTunes wireless music streaming – June 09, 2004
iTunes 4.6 with AirTunes coming this week for Mac and Windows – June 07, 2004
Here we go!!!
The remote in question could be the Express remote from Keyspan.
http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/urm17a/
Saw that, macnut222, but Apple’s mantra of simplicity, ease of use, and making the whole widget argues for them eventually adding important functionality. This is THE most important functionality wanted by consumers using Airport Express and would fit with a long-term medial/living room strategy.
What Apple consumer wants to mess around with third-party accessories and drivers on this issue? That sounds like an M$ approach.
And besides, why not?
So forget Thurrot and the xBox. The hub will be the Mac and the distribution will be Airport Expresses around the house and AirTunes/AirVideo etc. with remotes.
the keyspan doesn’t look very apple like with the big black IR sensor in the front.
But will it have a screen
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I am thinking this is related to patent filing of a tablet looking device. Could it be that that is actually a smaller remote with a touchscreen allowing you to remotly control your mac wirelessly. Also, consider the recent adition of video to iTunes. They are a few short steps away from offering feature films too. All wirelessly transmitted to your entertainment center via airport (not sure how video would work just yet) with a touchscreen apple remote.
great now i’m going to get a remote control for my airport express that drops the signal when i try to play any music from my library. is anyone else having this problem. i’ve checked the apple boards and there are almost 500 post on the airport express board where people are having the same problem. there are also numerous post on the itunes board discussing the same problem, and none of the suggestions work. bummer cause when it works it’s great.
mw “see” as in i’d like to see apple fix this and soon.
As there is current a promotion on Airport Express throught the end of the month (30 iTunes songs with purchase), it is likely that there is an upgrade coming soon.
Does anyone know if it has been EOL’d in the supply chain?
What I want is AirTunes functionality for ALL the sound produced by my Mac. It just doesn’t make sense that I can only get iTunes music that way; why not all audio? Even if you watch a video on the iTMS, the sound doesn’t come over AirTunes. Your AirTunes network should appear in the “output” choices of the Sound preference pane.
The remote in question could be the Griffin AirClickUSB as well.
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/airclick/
I am having issues with my AirClickUSB though. Neither my RevB iMac G5 20″ nor my RevA PB G4 12″ will sleep if the AirClickUSB is plugged in.
The only update I’d like to see to the remote is a small LCD screen displaying current song information, now that would be cool.
bob, that is a great idea! We should al make that suggestion using the “Provide iTunes Feedback” option in iTunes. If enough of us say it, the just might listen!
Think a little further out of the box…
Like this!
Aha! Thanks MCCFR…
http://www.openpeak.com/news_release_98.html
Also, for bob…
http://rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/
Airfoil lets you send any audio to remote speakers attached to your AirPort Express. AirPort Express – It’s not just for iTunes anymore.
Express drops my music:
Do you live near other people who might be using another device like a cordless phone? My wireless signals used to get screwed up by the neighbor’s 2.4 Ghz phone…
Just an idea.
forget Airfoil, it sucks royal arse. Just try to watch a DVD via airfoil, the latency is really…umm…annoying.
express drops my music,
Nearby microwave ovens on 2.4 GHz will also fry your wireless connection while they’re running.
Yeah, my airport network goes down anytime someone uses the wireless phone. I have turned on Interferrence Robustness, and it has seemed to help.
R
it’s completely possible, but my network is protected by a wep key so i don’t see how this would interfer. My networking ability and internet access isn’t bothered just airtunes.
thomas – from the airfoil pages: “Why does the audio lag?
Because of the way the AirPort Express works, there’s a delay from the time audio is played locally to the time it is heard remotely. This is problematic for movie playback, and tough to solve. The issue here is with the hardware itself.”
It doesn’t stop it being a problem but it’s apples fault.
give me a remote that has a touch screen to make playlists at my leisure…no pens, no mouse(s)/mice, just use a finger with a scrolling mech like the iPod click wheel…
Thank you and good night
Bang & Olufsen produced some awesome ahead of their time two-way communication remote controlls (Beolink 5000 and 7000) in the 90ies. Unfortunately this technology, where you could programme your home entertainment system using a touch screen on your RC, was discontinued. B&O users are hoping that Apple’s RC wil be their reincarnation.