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License AirTune?
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Manchester, UK
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Should Apple license AirTunes to 3rd Parties?
It would be great if Apple would license AirTunes to manufacturers of HiFi components.
Rather than have to use an Airport Express unit, they could build the AirTunes functionality into say an amplifier without the networking stuff, that would reduce costs.
They could even take the integration further by making the HiFi unit display iTunes information, Playlists, Track Names, etc and allow for the control of iTunes via the units remote control.
I know it would be a limited market, but AirTunes is open to all Mac and PC iTunes users which is a growing number of users.
It could be another market for the iTunes store, as non iPod users could buy music and stream it to thier AirTunes equiped amplifier.
If they can make a fully blown Airport Express Basestation and sell it for $129 then if you strip out the following :-
Power Supply and case - not needed as this is already in the HiFi unit
Ethernet Port - not required
USB Printer Port - not required
Packaging - not required
They must be able to do it for a much cheaper cost, maybe as low as an additional $20 on the cost of the HiFi.
Just an idea.
Ian
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Computers - Au MacBook 2.4Ghz, iMac 24" 2.8Ghz Core 2 Duo
iPods - 5GB original iPod, 4GB nano - Red, 1GB 2G shuffle - Silver, 4GB 3G Shuffle - Black, 16GB touch, 16GB nano Red, 16GB iPhone 3G.
OSX User Since Public Beta, current OS 10.6.1, iTS UK purchases - 5377 songs.... and growing!
My website - www.idparkinson.co.uk
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London
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Originally posted by Parky:
Should Apple license AirTunes to 3rd Parties?
It would be great if Apple would license AirTunes to manufacturers of HiFi components.
Rather than have to use an Airport Express unit, they could build the AirTunes functionality into say an amplifier without the networking stuff, that would reduce costs.
They could even take the integration further by making the HiFi unit display iTunes information, Playlists, Track Names, etc and allow for the control of iTunes via the units remote control.
I know it would be a limited market, but AirTunes is open to all Mac and PC iTunes users which is a growing number of users.
It could be another market for the iTunes store, as non iPod users could buy music and stream it to thier AirTunes equiped amplifier.
If they can make a fully blown Airport Express Basestation and sell it for $129 then if you strip out the following :-
Power Supply and case - not needed as this is already in the HiFi unit
Ethernet Port - not required
USB Printer Port - not required
Packaging - not required
They must be able to do it for a much cheaper cost, maybe as low as an additional $20 on the cost of the HiFi.
Just an idea.
Ian
That would be a great idea. A lot of Windows users are really impressed by my Airport Express, and often amazed at the functionality offered for the price.
Also, I've noticed that Microsoft don't appear to have had much success getting the big consumer electronics companies to support 'Play for Sure'. Getting someone like Phillips or Akai to sport a 'works with iTunes' badge on a range of their amps would be a big step forward into the living room.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
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Except that such devices already exist, and have for a while.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London
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Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Except that such devices already exist, and have for a while.
they do? where?
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status:
Offline
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Yokohama, Japan
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Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
There are several I had links for but threw away when Airport Expres came out, but a brief SEARCH - *ahem* - of the "Peripherals" forum for "wireless audio" turned up these links:
Except that what he was talking about was devices that can play music through the AirportExpress. Those do not exist. As I recall, DVD Jon only recently broke the AirTunes encryption, so perhaps software like VLC will be able to do so in the future.
But as of right now, the only thing that can play music through an AirportExpress is iTunes.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
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Originally posted by wataru:
Except that what he was talking about was devices that can play music through the AirportExpress. Those do not exist. As I recall, DVD Jon only recently broke the AirTunes encryption, so perhaps software like VLC will be able to do so in the future.
But as of right now, the only thing that can play music through an AirportExpress is iTunes.
Huh? iTunes is not a "device".
He was asking about iTunes-compatible devices. Hi-Fi components that could wirelessly play iTunes music.
He was talking about licensing Airport Express functionality to hi-fi manufacturers, to include in their amplifiers and things, so as to do away with the need for Airport Express.
Or did I miss the mark completely? 
Btw, all of those devices listed/linked above are mp3-only, AFAIK. AAC and ALE support is what sets the Airport Express off from them.
-s*
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: planning a comeback !
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London
Status:
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Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Huh? iTunes is not a "device".
He was asking about iTunes-compatible devices. Hi-Fi components that could wirelessly play iTunes music.
He was talking about licensing Airport Express functionality to hi-fi manufacturers, to include in their amplifiers and things, so as to do away with the need for Airport Express.
Or did I miss the mark completely?
Btw, all of those devices listed/linked above are mp3-only, AFAIK. AAC and ALE support is what sets the Airport Express off from them.
-s*
Yeah, I see what you're getting at. The links you supplied also came up when I ran my own - AHEM - search, before calling you on it.
I was really thinking of low-mid consumer range Amplifiers and mini-systems by the likes of Philips, Akai etc (as stated in my post) - standard amps or all-in-ones, enhanced with the ability to take a wireless feed from iTunes. 'Family Dad' probably won't be bothered enough to mess about with wiring around the house, RF transmitters or 3rd party solutions, whereas a little iTunes badge on the front panel of a midi system or Yamaha amplifier might be more enticing.
I think that the OP was making the point that adding wi-fi receiving functionality to an amp would dramatically enhance the capability of the device at little additional cost.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
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Originally posted by nath:
I think that the OP was making the point that adding wi-fi receiving functionality to an amp would dramatically enhance the capability of the device at little additional cost.
Considering you'd need some sort of configuration interface plus the hardware, I doubt that the additional cost would be much lower than an Airport Express, which will connect to anything AND fit in your pocket as a wireless base station.
The hardware mentioned in those threads has the added "benefit" (I can't imagine it being terribly useful) of a direct browsing interface on the unit - though for $350, I'd prefer an iPod.
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