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“Tech enthusiasts have been referring to AirPlay as Apple TV’s secret weapon and for good reason,” Moskovciak reports. “The basic concept behind AirPlay is that you’d be able to take any content–music or video–playing on your iPhone and ‘push’ the content to your Apple TV with a couple of taps. The most basic implementation of AirPlay will include any media that plays in the iOS device’s native media player, but the Apple representative we talked to mentioned that developers will have the ability to add it to their apps as well. So the idea is, if you’re listening to Pandora on your iPad, you’d theoretically be able to easily push that to your Apple TV, getting around the issue of the Apple TV lacking an App Store. (At least for those who own iOS devices.)”
Moskovciak reports, “That’s the idea, but unfortunately we won’t get to test out AirPlay until November, when Apple releases the iOS 4.2 software update. It will also depend on how many third-party apps support it. Bottom line: if AirPlay works as advertised, it has the potential to be a game-changing killer app for the Apple TV, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Full review here.
Rumor: Apple to purchase ESPN for rights to live sporting events. Mega cash deal.
Rumor: Apple to purchase ESPN for rights to live sporting events. Mega cash deal.
All you’d ever want to stream, from any Apple device … DJ, present, browse, play…..this is bliss
All you’d ever want to stream, from any Apple device … DJ, present, browse, play…..this is bliss
” if AirPlay works as advertised” ???
Of course it will turkey.
” if AirPlay works as advertised” ???
Of course it will turkey.
I think Apple may have people fooled on how AirPlay actually works. I don’t think it will actually “push” content from the iOS device to the Apple TV. To do so would be very inefficient, especially with streaming “HD” content; the content would come in from the broadband connection, go through the WiFi router to the iOS device, get temporarily cached, then get “re-streamed” from the iOS device back through the WiFi router to the Apple TV, get sufficiently cached for a second time, and finally displayed on the TV screen. That’s so wasteful and entirely too dependent on things Apple can’t control, such as the quality and speed of the local WiFi network.
Instead, when the AirPlay feature is switched ON as the display mode for the iOS device, I think what really happens is that iOS and Apple TV start to act as one device (with two parts). The streaming content never touches the iOS device; it goes directly to the Apple TV. The iOS device turns into a remote control device for that streaming content, and the Apple TV handles everything else. If the AirPlay’ed content happens to reside on your computer (because everything that is synced to iOS device should be on the computer), then the stream goes directly from computer to Apple TV, and again, the iOS device is only acting as the controller, not the source of the content data.
I think Apple may have people fooled on how AirPlay actually works. I don’t think it will actually “push” content from the iOS device to the Apple TV. To do so would be very inefficient, especially with streaming “HD” content; the content would come in from the broadband connection, go through the WiFi router to the iOS device, get temporarily cached, then get “re-streamed” from the iOS device back through the WiFi router to the Apple TV, get sufficiently cached for a second time, and finally displayed on the TV screen. That’s so wasteful and entirely too dependent on things Apple can’t control, such as the quality and speed of the local WiFi network.
Instead, when the AirPlay feature is switched ON as the display mode for the iOS device, I think what really happens is that iOS and Apple TV start to act as one device (with two parts). The streaming content never touches the iOS device; it goes directly to the Apple TV. The iOS device turns into a remote control device for that streaming content, and the Apple TV handles everything else. If the AirPlay’ed content happens to reside on your computer (because everything that is synced to iOS device should be on the computer), then the stream goes directly from computer to Apple TV, and again, the iOS device is only acting as the controller, not the source of the content data.
maybe apple just goes to the nfl, mlb, ncaa, nba, etc. and gets the rights from them.
maybe apple just goes to the nfl, mlb, ncaa, nba, etc. and gets the rights from them.
Ken1W: “…The iOS device turns into a remote control device…”
iOS devices can already be used as remotes/keyboards for Apple TV via the Remote app. The new version of Remote is a nice step up in UI, too, BTW.
I’m not sure why you are invoking a paradigm of streaming to the iOS device and then to the Apple TV. There is no reason for that – as you point out, it would not be efficient. From what little I have read about Airplay, it will simply enable the iOS device to serve media from its flash memory to the Apple TV. Unlike iTunes/OSX, I am sure you would get to control the media from the iOS device as you note.
Ken1W: “…The iOS device turns into a remote control device…”
iOS devices can already be used as remotes/keyboards for Apple TV via the Remote app. The new version of Remote is a nice step up in UI, too, BTW.
I’m not sure why you are invoking a paradigm of streaming to the iOS device and then to the Apple TV. There is no reason for that – as you point out, it would not be efficient. From what little I have read about Airplay, it will simply enable the iOS device to serve media from its flash memory to the Apple TV. Unlike iTunes/OSX, I am sure you would get to control the media from the iOS device as you note.
Steve Jobs is already a major shareholder in Disney which owns ABC network and ESPN. No further rumour need be started on that account.
Steve Jobs is already a major shareholder in Disney which owns ABC network and ESPN. No further rumour need be started on that account.
What I’m hoping for is that streaming will eventually be bi-directional so you can stream content on your Mac or iDevice to your Apple TV to your home theater AND also be able to access the media content on your Mac with your iDevice via your Apple TV. I know there are apps like StreamToMe that do this now, but I have 2 routers (Ooma and WiFi) in my network chain, which makes configuration to access your computer remotely from another WiFi network other than your own or via 3G a bit involved and complicated.
What I’m hoping for is that streaming will eventually be bi-directional so you can stream content on your Mac or iDevice to your Apple TV to your home theater AND also be able to access the media content on your Mac with your iDevice via your Apple TV. I know there are apps like StreamToMe that do this now, but I have 2 routers (Ooma and WiFi) in my network chain, which makes configuration to access your computer remotely from another WiFi network other than your own or via 3G a bit involved and complicated.
My goodness. Does this mean that the AppleTV is a crippled device that is truly complete only with another iOS device? So if you want the most out of Atv you need a i-P toy as well.
Almost sounds Machiavellian to me.
My goodness. Does this mean that the AppleTV is a crippled device that is truly complete only with another iOS device? So if you want the most out of Atv you need a i-P toy as well.
Almost sounds Machiavellian to me.
Hey, jmmx, your brain’s a crippled device.
Hey, jmmx, your brain’s a crippled device.
I don’t know a single person who has dropped their cable provider and gone the streaming route.
The cable company charges a premium for Internet if you don’t have cable tv.
It’s still not cost effective.
I’ve read a ton of articles and tips on this, but it’s still not doable.
Anyone have success with this, and how did you set it up?
I don’t know a single person who has dropped their cable provider and gone the streaming route.
The cable company charges a premium for Internet if you don’t have cable tv.
It’s still not cost effective.
I’ve read a ton of articles and tips on this, but it’s still not doable.
Anyone have success with this, and how did you set it up?
And I just bought the new Apple TV. Haven’t had a chance to hook it up yet, bet daaaaaaaaam this thing is tiny!
I couldn’t find it on the shelf at the Apple store and it was right in front of my face!
Very cool.
And I just bought the new Apple TV. Haven’t had a chance to hook it up yet, bet daaaaaaaaam this thing is tiny!
I couldn’t find it on the shelf at the Apple store and it was right in front of my face!
Very cool.
@ jmmx
Off course it will work a lot better in an Apple enclosed ecosystem. Sure, you have iTunes for Windows, but it does not work nearly as well or smoothly as it does on a Mac. If you wan’t smooth it just works experience, you better stick to one vender providing the whole solution. Why do you think MS/Google/HTC/Motorola/Dell/HP/Sony can’t touch Apple?
@ jmmx
Off course it will work a lot better in an Apple enclosed ecosystem. Sure, you have iTunes for Windows, but it does not work nearly as well or smoothly as it does on a Mac. If you wan’t smooth it just works experience, you better stick to one vender providing the whole solution. Why do you think MS/Google/HTC/Motorola/Dell/HP/Sony can’t touch Apple?
Airplay is the killer app! Make no mistake. Another thing Steve is smart. With help from the ATV, this will push up sales of iOS devices. He is aiming at the impulse buyers that does not have a iOS device. He is putting the ATV out there for 99 dollars and he is saying that with a iOS device you can have a better experience. Now this works the other way as well. For the persons who already has a iOS device, you can use the ATV to bring your content on your device to you living room. I agree to what cnet says that it could be alread enabled on the apps.
Airplay is the killer app! Make no mistake. Another thing Steve is smart. With help from the ATV, this will push up sales of iOS devices. He is aiming at the impulse buyers that does not have a iOS device. He is putting the ATV out there for 99 dollars and he is saying that with a iOS device you can have a better experience. Now this works the other way as well. For the persons who already has a iOS device, you can use the ATV to bring your content on your device to you living room. I agree to what cnet says that it could be alread enabled on the apps.
@ darnell
Espn is owned by … None other than The walt Disney Corperation
Which steve jobs has controlling intrests in purchase not nessesary.
@ darnell
Espn is owned by … None other than The walt Disney Corperation
Which steve jobs has controlling intrests in purchase not nessesary.
@Darnell,
Is this your attempt at an Apple stock “pump and dump” like I do with Jersey girls on a Saturday night?
@Darnell,
Is this your attempt at an Apple stock “pump and dump” like I do with Jersey girls on a Saturday night?
@ABQ Peter –
“maybe apple just goes to the nfl, mlb, ncaa, nba, etc. and gets the rights from them.”
Maybe the NFL, NCAA, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, PBA, PGA, etc., etc. should just make a great APP like MLB @ Bat and include the AirPlay button … they can charge for a subscription to their video services and keep most of the money! Why does Apple need to be involved?
@ABQ Peter –
“maybe apple just goes to the nfl, mlb, ncaa, nba, etc. and gets the rights from them.”
Maybe the NFL, NCAA, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, PBA, PGA, etc., etc. should just make a great APP like MLB @ Bat and include the AirPlay button … they can charge for a subscription to their video services and keep most of the money! Why does Apple need to be involved?
I would think that NBC, CBS, FOX, CW, CNN, Comedy Central, SyFy, HBO, Showtime, etc., etc. Player APPs with AirPlay buttons should soon be on the way as well. Of course most of those will probably not be free, or will require a subscription.
I would think that NBC, CBS, FOX, CW, CNN, Comedy Central, SyFy, HBO, Showtime, etc., etc. Player APPs with AirPlay buttons should soon be on the way as well. Of course most of those will probably not be free, or will require a subscription.
@Angryshortguy
I did, but then you don’t know me. At first, the cable company charged a $5 premium for Internet access, but now they don’t. I just use them as a ‘dumb pipe’ and have my two phone lines come down it via Vonage (I need to call Europe A LOT, and other countries and been using V since it’s first year in business), the TV shows we watch come from iTunes (now rentals only, so holdouts get in line because for everything else there are ‘other means’) or NetFlix.
This clean set-up and keeps my life simpler. I no longer waste so much time ‘channel surfing’ like I did when I used to have cable TV. Once you drop cable TV you’ll find a lot more time is suddenly freed up. Even if you watch the same amount of content, as cable TV content still has commercial interruptions, where none of the content I watch has. That alone saves you a few days of time a year.
@Angryshortguy
I did, but then you don’t know me. At first, the cable company charged a $5 premium for Internet access, but now they don’t. I just use them as a ‘dumb pipe’ and have my two phone lines come down it via Vonage (I need to call Europe A LOT, and other countries and been using V since it’s first year in business), the TV shows we watch come from iTunes (now rentals only, so holdouts get in line because for everything else there are ‘other means’) or NetFlix.
This clean set-up and keeps my life simpler. I no longer waste so much time ‘channel surfing’ like I did when I used to have cable TV. Once you drop cable TV you’ll find a lot more time is suddenly freed up. Even if you watch the same amount of content, as cable TV content still has commercial interruptions, where none of the content I watch has. That alone saves you a few days of time a year.
@ DRMSSB
> I’m not sure why you are invoking a paradigm of streaming to the iOS device and then to the Apple TV.
Because that’s how the media is describing the AirPlay feature. As this particular article describes it, content is “pushed” from the iDevice to the Apple TV. I say it may look that way, but the streamed content never goes through the iDevice. When you use AirPlay, the iDevice is just acting as the remote control for playing the content on Apple TV, and the only data being sent are control inputs such as play, pause, fast forward, etc.
And then, other people go further and imagine that an app (such as a game) can run on the iDevice and its video output can be redirected (from its own screen) to the Apple TV to display on the HDTV. That’s even worse, in terms of efficiency, because you are taking the actual screen image every split second and sending over WiFi to the Apple TV. It would be like doing screen sharing between two Macs, with the inherent latency (slow screen refresh) problems.
Again, (if games come to Apple TV) Apple will do it the smart way. The game app will be a version created for the Apple TV. It will run on the Apple TV (not the iDevice). A companion app will run on the iDevice and turn it into a custom touch and/or motion -based remote controller for the game that’s running on the Apple TV. This is efficient because the only data being sent from iDevice to Apple TV are the user control inputs, NOT the entire screen every milli-second.
@ DRMSSB
> I’m not sure why you are invoking a paradigm of streaming to the iOS device and then to the Apple TV.
Because that’s how the media is describing the AirPlay feature. As this particular article describes it, content is “pushed” from the iDevice to the Apple TV. I say it may look that way, but the streamed content never goes through the iDevice. When you use AirPlay, the iDevice is just acting as the remote control for playing the content on Apple TV, and the only data being sent are control inputs such as play, pause, fast forward, etc.
And then, other people go further and imagine that an app (such as a game) can run on the iDevice and its video output can be redirected (from its own screen) to the Apple TV to display on the HDTV. That’s even worse, in terms of efficiency, because you are taking the actual screen image every split second and sending over WiFi to the Apple TV. It would be like doing screen sharing between two Macs, with the inherent latency (slow screen refresh) problems.
Again, (if games come to Apple TV) Apple will do it the smart way. The game app will be a version created for the Apple TV. It will run on the Apple TV (not the iDevice). A companion app will run on the iDevice and turn it into a custom touch and/or motion -based remote controller for the game that’s running on the Apple TV. This is efficient because the only data being sent from iDevice to Apple TV are the user control inputs, NOT the entire screen every milli-second.
Absolutely true! The only problem I’d the AT&T effect. In other words once this type of use seriously cuts into the cable companies bottom line they will will start going to tiered pricing. Then we’ll see if we save time AND money. If the Apple tv paradigm takes off I think we’re only looking at about 5 years. But then again I’m no analyst.
Absolutely true! The only problem I’d the AT&T effect. In other words once this type of use seriously cuts into the cable companies bottom line they will will start going to tiered pricing. Then we’ll see if we save time AND money. If the Apple tv paradigm takes off I think we’re only looking at about 5 years. But then again I’m no analyst.