[philm]

I think I understand what airport is trying to do, but it seems to me that in almost all circumstances, I would want the speakers playing my music to be close to the hardware controlling the music which kind-of makes the AirTunes concept redundant.

For example, if I am relaxing in the evening, I think that I would want to control the music in the same place as I am listening to it. This can be done with a CD player, a Mac hooked up to some speakers etc. The AirTunes idea means that the computer is controlling remote speakers...presumably in another room or something. I can see this working on occasionally for a party or something, but not for day-to-day use.

I must be blinkered or something - I would really appreciate examples of how people are actually using this software.

[E's Lil Theorem]

Originally posted by philm:
...

I must be blinkered or something - I would really appreciate examples of how people are actually using this software.

My desktop is in my room, the stereo and speakers in the living room. It'd be inconvenient for me to move the desktop to have it close to the stereo. Instead, I just set up a playlist (or set iTunes on random) and let it roll.

[wataru]

If you have a laptop, like I do, you probably don't want it tied to your speakers. I have computer speakers in my room, and they are on my desk. But I frequently use my iBook on my bed, or on the chair that faces the TV, not at my desk. To do this, I use AirTunes ("Airport" is Apple's name for wireless connectivity in general, not streaming music).

If you have a room with an entertainment system, like a nice stereo and TV and whatnot, you could play music from your computer on it with AirTunes, whether the computer is "remote" or not. You could use your laptop in the same room, or, if you have a desktop in that room you wouldn't have to go to the trouble of putting cord between it and the stereo.

[thePurpleGiant]

A few good reasons:

1) Party. Depending on the party guests, you may not want your laptop out amongst everyone, on top of your stereo to play music. Instead, leave laptop in another room, playing music into the main area. if you want to change tracks or anything, go into the other room and change the playlist.

2) Many stereo's. One computer. Play music all around the house to many stereo's, if you have many AE units.

3) Bluetooth phone. Most new mobile (cell) phones come with bluetooth, and the vast majority of them support software such as 'salling clicker' or 'romeo'. You can then view the currently playing track info on your phone, change the volume, next track, search for music, all on your phone, from a different room than where your computer is.

4) Bluetooth remote control - don't think this exists yet! Would be perfect to do functions like a phone, but more streamlined.

5) Laptop. You might normally work with your laptop on your desk, plugged into your stereo. If then you go to do some work in another room nearby, you may want the music to keep playing from that same stereo - controlled by iTunes on your laptop. Easy.

[Parky]

The best reason is having iTunes control your music.

I am using AirTunes in the lounge with my iMac only 15 feet away, I could easily just play CD's on the player next to the amp that the Airport Express is connected to.

The reason I use iTunes and Airport Express is that :-

1. I don't need to hunt out the CD I want to play, they could be in one of 3 rooms and as there are over 700 are not always quick to find. In iTunes I can find it in seconds.

2. Playlists are not available when you use CD's. I have a great selection of playlists that are constantly updating themselves. This means I get an always changing selection which gives me pleasant surprises and I get more value from the music I have bought.

3. When buying from iTMS I can listen to the 30 second clips in better quality which helps me decide if I like the music.

4. I can listen to Internet Radio stations through the HiFi.

5. Long playlists so you don't need to get up and change CD's

I hope that helps, I have used Airport Express every day since I got it.

Ian

[philm]

Thanks for these replies. I understand the benefits of iTunes (regular purchaser from iTMS since it hit the UK and all the family music on a 160GB LaCie drive) and wireless networking (five Macs at home connected with an original ABS) - my query was/is directed specifically at the use of AirTunes/Airport Express. I have some good examples for its use. I now have some info to convice the wife. Cheers.