Logitech Airplay Speaker

[bobm]

An Airplay version would be something like this:

Apple lossless files - iTunes – Airplay Lossless streaming over Wifi – Airport Express – optical out to DAC, amplifier and speakers – iPad control using Apple Remote.

Does Itunes have AIRPLAY built in or do you have to run another server on your MAC in order to stream. Can Airplay be run from a PC?

Thanks Bob

[amrace]

When you open iTunes 10 or later on your Mac or PC, you'll see an AirPlay button at the bottom right-hand corner of the iTunes window.Clicking on the AirPlay button will let you control where you stream your content.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4325

Andy

[andynormancx]

Does Itunes have AIRPLAY built in or do you have to run another server on your MAC in order to stream. Can Airplay be run from a PC?

Yes iTunes has AirPlay built in and yes it works on a Windows PC as well.

[aubuti]

So if I would mention companies that have the biggest potential to take over the market, Apple would be pretty high on that list, they would be in the top. Reason being that they have it all:
- They have the backend music store
- They are focused at usability and ease to use
- They are able to produce high quality hardware in high quantities
- They are inventive

I'm no Apple fan, but I think these are all true, and I'll add another reason (which, no doubt, is a by-product of the 4 reasons Erland mentions):
- They have big time buy-in from other hardware makers, whether it's AirPlay receivers and speakers or simple docks.

EDIT: The link posted earlier (http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-12698_7-10007138.html) gives a sampling. I can't say that any of those offerings are particularly appealing to me personally, but I'm sure there's a big market there.

[aubuti]

Can you purchase apple lossless from itunes now?

I don't think the iTunes store sells any lossless files. But obviously you can rip CDs to Apple Lossless, and I've noticed that many artists who sell downloads choose Apple Lossless as their only lossless option.

[erland]

Is the Squeezebox method more “HiFi” than the Apple?

No, the Squeezebox just gives you more choices regarding which file format to use for the music files.

It would be interesting if someone with good ears and good equipment did a blind test between an AirPort Express and a Squeezebox, both connected to an external DAC. I personally suspect the the difference would be small or not exist at all.

[bobm]

Yes iTunes has AirPlay built in and yes it works on a Windows PC as well.

Interesting, but can you also stream Internet content with iTunes like you can with Touch/LMS, i.e. local radio stations, Slacker, Mog.....?

Thanks Bob

[andynormancx]

In the Apple universe the best way to do that is to use the appropriate app on your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch and use AirPlay to send it to the AirPort.

[trautigan]

logitech products are becoming increasingly unnecessary for most users... thats the real issue.

on the one hand you have apple and all its tight integration that for most apple people works very well, or at least, prefectly for them. airplay is now becoming a standard that 3rd party hardware incorporate.

on the other hand, other hardware is integrating more and more dlna/upnp type things, also right into TVs and receivers and game systems.

logitech meanwhile, sells an audio only platform that requires mastering a fairly complicated server which has an extremely unintuitive and unforgiving browse exp.

what boggles my mind, is logitech makes money from hardware sales, not server development. why they haven't concentrated more on hardware, and making the server just be a middleware layer that allow any app to send the A/V to the hardware, i can't understand. it would save them tons of money from continuing to develop server, which as a music player, is an antique at best.

and besides, as audio only, its not only niche, but imo, doomed.

An excellent post with which i wholeheartedly agree.


I'm in the process of switching from Logitech to Apple, mainly out of frustration with that 'unintuitive and unforgiving' browser app. I think Logitech's strategy of heroic support from a few talented developers is a fire-fighting one, not a sustainable one that'll support growth.
I am not an Apple evangelist by any means - I just want something that is simple to use, decent sound quality and I'll take care of future-proofing against the constant (and usually welcome) stream of technology changes myself. To this end, Apple represents the next phase of evolution, Logitech represents the past. Shame really - the opportunity was there..

So far the transition has been a doddle - in fact, quite enjoyable. It is also relatively cheap to do - Apple TV costs 100GBP, I can reuse my speakers with built in amps, configuration is so simple, and I've loaded all my music into iCloud (22GBP for up to 25000 songs for a year).

I'll continue using the Logitech kit in a 'running it down' sort of way - but it means that the next time Logitech introduce a bug into software that was previously working fine I won't have to tear my hair out, just switch on my Apple kit and smile..

[bhaagensen]

Sorry about a late reply...

So which system/company do you feel have a more promising future over the next 5 years so you would be prepared to put your money on it ?

Don't know

The offerings from Apple certainly have their limitations at the moment, especially for advanced users or users with specific needs (like people that want HiFi quality), but as mentioned previously in the thread, most people don't care about these kind of features.

So if I would mention companies that have the biggest potential to take over the market, Apple would be pretty high on that list, they would be in the top. Reason being that they have it all:
- They have the backend music store
- They are focused at usability and ease to use
- They are able to produce high quality hardware in high quantities
- They are inventive

They will of course not manage to keep their high momentum in the long run, but if we look for the next 5 year period I honestly can't mention anyone else that looks more promising. However, things are likely going to change over time, we just don't know in what direction it will move and which company that will lead the change.

I don't disagree as such, but I do not find it hard to argue against either. For the first two points - take e.g. Spotify. They deliver content and accompanying software for most platforms - and its easy to use. Right, they do not have a own hardware. But then there is Android. The number of Android based phones and tablets is growing and non-negligeble. And of course Windows 8-based units (due in 1/2 yrs) - if you believe Microsoft can ever do a comeback, this would be another "threat". So I certainly don't mean Apple disappearing, but that there is room, and a likelihood, that the field will have other players, also in the next 5-yr period.

In the longer run - who knows... Some (I think Arcam, Electroncompagninet, Audiolab), are selling DACs with a wireless interface to the computer sound-driver. Personally I hope this (at the moment specialized market/feature) will drive the development of a server/client architecture for sound-systems at the OS level. Kind of like Airplay at the OS level. Whats the status of Pulseaudio by the way?