[nemanirc]

Apple announced the AirPort Express device today, which serves as a range extender, USB print server, network hub (for creating a quick wireless network on the go), and a wireless audio port for connecting your AirPort to your stereo: http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/. Personally, I would like to just have a range extender for $50-$75, but could probably use a the additional features as well.

[d_oob]

It gives you the freedom
to not have your laptop tethered to the stereo
with a long cable. How cool is that? I would
almost get it on that alone. Imagine you could
DJ a party from any part of the house or building
etc. (From the hot tub?) anyway... the base
station isn't a streaming server like other
products, it streams what you already have on
your mac. cool.

[jfischetti]

so, now the question......

Will the new iPod have wireless capabilities?

[cschmelz]

Originally posted by nemanirc:
Apple announced the AirPort Express device today, which serves as a range extender, USB print server, network hub (for creating a quick wireless network on the go), and a wireless audio port for connecting your AirPort to your stereo: http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/. Personally, I would like to just have a range extender for $50-$75, but could probably use a the additional features as well.

This thing (based on the advertiso-speak at least) is awesome!

I've never been a fan of the Airport base stations, and instead have gone with Netgear (MR814) or Linksys with Sveasoft firmware (Oh yeah baby) but this is a very cool unique device... You can buy a 3rd party base station for your main stuff, and then use the Express to do wireless printing (which I've been wanting for a while) and a connection to my stereo...

Let's face it, my CDs are basically just sitting in their tower collecting dust nowadays..

[MikeD]

But will it work with a third party wireless router?

Mike

[nemanirc]

Originally posted by cschmelz:
You can buy a 3rd party base station for your main stuff, and then use the Express to do wireless printing (which I've been wanting for a while) and a connection to my stereo...

Good question. I know you need an Airport Extreme base station to have the Express work as a repeater. Can I use my Graphite base station to stream iTunes through the Express?

[Chito]

That's kinda my question too. I'm not a network guru....I've got my internet wired through a netgear wireless router to my desktop and I access the net on my ibook via an airport card. I'm interested in airport express for the printer sharing and music capabilities. What I'm not sure about is will my current setup work for what I want by adding the airport express? Sorry for being stupid....I'm just not able to weed through all of the adspeak......at least not right now

[MikeD]

Originally posted by nemanirc:
Good question. I know you need an Airport Extreme base station to have the Express work as a repeater. Can I use my Graphite base station to stream iTunes through the Express?

For me, I was thinking about getting two basestations just to get a solid bridging system going (that was about a month ago).. now for sure, I think I'll go with the AEBS and the Express.

The stereo hookup is my "sold" point.

Mike

[aapljack]

Well, if this doesn't work with third-party routers, I will gladly dump my Netgear for an Airport base station. Even though an Apple base station is more expensive, this Express option adds so much value to it with the streaming music and cheap repeaters that it is worth it!

Plus, Airport will always be well supported where Apple support for other products could get worse.

-b

[jimcpherson]

I've got a Linksys wireless router and was wondering if this would work with Airport Express as well. Also, is there a list of "compatible stereos" on Apple's website? If I was sure it will work with 3rd party routers and my stereo I'd order it in a heartbeat.

[wnuez]

I think it works with any stereo (since it has a common minijack connector) and with any Access Point.

Put it this way, they sell it for both Mac and Windows users and I don't see many Windows guys buying Airport Base Stations as access points (which are more expensive than a "whatever brand outhere")...

It may just act as an network iTunes client over the network (wireless or not). The feature was there (in iTunes) already until they just took it off in this last versions. They only difference is that the client is a dedicated device and not another computer.

(my 2 cents)

[iDaver]

Does the Airport Express not function exactly like an Airport Extreme Base Station only with the addition of audio out? You all make it sound like you will need both a base station and Airport Express. ???

[vmarks]

The express base station supports 10 wireless clients. the extreme base station supports 50.

If you already have an extreme base, you can place the express base anywhere in range of the extreme one and wirelessly it will bridge to the extreme one and extend the range of your network by 50 ft.

You don't require an extreme base, but it can certainly be convenient.

[Millennium]

Originally posted by jimcpherson:
I've got a Linksys wireless router and was wondering if this would work with Airport Express as well. Also, is there a list of "compatible stereos" on Apple's website? If I was sure it will work with 3rd party routers and my stereo I'd order it in a heartbeat.

As I understand it, the audio capabilities are provided through a plain line-out jack, so any stereo with a line-in jack ought to work. That would include just about any stereo out there.

As for whether the audio will work with third-party routing hardware, my guess is that it probably will. The repeater stuff has hardware on both ends (AirPort Express and the Base Station), but the streaming audio has the AE on one end and iTunes on the other, so the endpoint is a computer, not a base station. Given that, I don't see how Apple could make it only work with the AE base station; the effort required would be more trouble than it's worth.

It's good to see Apple using Rendezvous more heavily for its home-networking products, though. This is the way home networking should be.

[vmarks]

Most stereos have two RCA inputs. Some smaller bookshelf budget units are the exception.

Use a 1/8" miniplug to two RCA cable, and connect from the airport express to most any stereo known to man.

[d_oob]

Originally posted by jfischetti:
so, now the question......

Will the new iPod have wireless capabilities?

Now that would be really neat. Couple that with cross-fades.

But wireless might bring bulk to the ipod. I wouldn't imagine
a wireless feature on the minipod. But that would be a great
feature on 40 or 60? gig pods.

[wnuez]

Now we just need a wireles iPod, so you don't have to go to the room in which your mac is to change the songs...

[chris v]

Originally posted by jfischetti:
so, now the question......

Will the new iPod have wireless capabilities?

One would think that the announcement of this thing begs the question. It would just make sense.

Wirelessly play your iPod over your home stereo? Yes, I think this would be a fantastic idea.

CV

[turtle777]

Originally posted by MikeD:
But will it work with a third party wireless router?

Mike

Why ?

Streaming music and printing can be done DIRECTLY from your iBook / PowerBook / Desktop Mac to the AE.
Your are not going via your (third party) basestation.

-t

[dreilly1]

Originally posted by wnuez:
Now we just need a wireles iPod, so you don't have to go to the room in which your mac is to change the songs...

Or a laptop.

[nemanirc]

Originally posted by turtle777:
Why ?

Streaming music and printing can be done DIRECTLY from your iBook / PowerBook / Desktop Mac to the AE.
Your are not going via your (third party) basestation.

-t

But, my G3 PowerMac sees the other computers on the wireless network through its Ethernet port, which goes to the Linksys router, which is connected to the AirPort base station. Therefore, it would not be able to talk to the Express itself. I just want to know if I can use the Graphite station to talk to the Express.

[Parky]

Pity you can't buy it in the UK yet.

It's on the Apple UK front page but it's not on the Apple UK Store yet.
As the UK store telephone is only open during the day I can't order one yet.
I have been waiting for something like this for ages.

Ian

[turtle777]

Originally posted by nemanirc:
But, my G3 PowerMac sees the other computers on the wireless network through its Ethernet port, which goes to the Linksys router, which is connected to the AirPort base station. Therefore, it would not be able to talk to the Express itself. I just want to know if I can use the Graphite station to talk to the Express.

So, your PowerMac does not have an Airport card built in ?

Well, in that case, I don't know if it works...

It remains to be seen if ANY router will let the AirTunes protocol and data go through...

-t

[iDaver]

Originally posted by nemanirc:
But, my G3 PowerMac sees the other computers on the wireless network through its Ethernet port, which goes to the Linksys router, which is connected to the AirPort base station. Therefore, it would not be able to talk to the Express itself. I just want to know if I can use the Graphite station to talk to the Express.

Good question. You might have to get an Airport Extreme Base Station instead, which surely will be updated soon with audio out.

[mitchell_pgh]

I think this is the PERFECT device for students in a modern dorm. Gives you wireless, let's you stream music and acts as a print server. You really can't ask for much more. In a home, you may need a few more units as most people don't want their printer in the main room next to their stereo.

[aapljack]

Originally posted by wnuez:
Now we just need a wireles iPod, so you don't have to go to the room in which your mac is to change the songs...

If you are in a room with your iPod and a stereo, there is no need for anything wireless. Just plug your iPod into the stereo and rock out. You have to plug an Airport Express unit to the stereo anyway. It would be pointless to have your music streaming wirelessly and using your iPod as a remote. Just plug the iPod in already!

[iDaver]

Originally posted by aapljack:
If you are in a room with your iPod and a stereo, there is no need for anything wireless. Just plug your iPod into the stereo and rock out. You have to plug an Airport Express unit to the stereo anyway. It would be pointless to have your music streaming wirelessly and using your iPod as a remote. Just plug the iPod in already!

What if I'm in my chair with my iPod and the stereo is across the room. You don't want me to have to get up, do you?!

[aapljack]

You lazy bastard!

[ReefHobbyist]

It would be nice if the WAN port could be switched to a LAN port. This would allow older iMacs that are not 802.11g compatible to upgrade to 802.11g by using it as an ethernet bridge.

Scott

[aaanorton]

Ya, what is it with Apple and LAN port-cheapness? Why not just add a LAN to this to make it perfect?
Anyone know if the WAN port will act as a LAN port in bridge mode?

[itai195]

Originally posted by nemanirc:
But, my G3 PowerMac sees the other computers on the wireless network through its Ethernet port, which goes to the Linksys router, which is connected to the AirPort base station. Therefore, it would not be able to talk to the Express itself. I just want to know if I can use the Graphite station to talk to the Express.

I don't see why this would be a problem. Your G3 should be able to see the Airport Express just as it can see any computer on the wireless network. The Linksys router shouldn't stop any internal traffic.

[Millennium]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Ya, what is it with Apple and LAN port-cheapness? Why not just add a LAN to this to make it perfect?
Anyone know if the WAN port will act as a LAN port in bridge mode?

Most Ethernet/Wireless bridges work this way, so it's probably safe to assume that the AEx will also do it.

[aaanorton]

Originally posted by Millennium:
Most Ethernet/Wireless bridges work this way, so it's probably safe to assume that the AEx will also do it.

Ok, I'll hold you to this... And if it doesn't work, that's your ass!
Heh.

[jwblase]

The funny thing is... I've already been using my iPod wirelessly with my stereo. Any FM transponder works on home stereos as well as car stereos. I've been using my iTrip with my 1G 5gig iPod for 2 years now.

Anyway, of course this thing will work with third party networking gear. It's all done through standard protocols. If your router can see another computer on your home network, I'm 99.99% sure it will see the Express station.

Another way of thinking about the Express station is a shorter version of this (which I already have been doing as well):

My G5 hosts all my music. I stream it to my wife's iBook via iTunes sharing. From there, I use the iTrip to route the sound to the stereo, or could use the headphone jack to hardplug it into the stereo.

The Express station simply gets rid of the display, G3 processor, keyboard, CD drive, and hard drive. Voila: Music routing software.

Apple is just doing what it does best: Takes existing hardware/software that either they invent or everybody else has been using for years, and makes something user friendly and workable from it. That's Apple's talent, and that's what they do.

That said, of course there will be growing pains with both the iTunes 4.6 software and the first generation Express stations, but they'll learn, we'll learn, and we'll get something better in the process.

JB

[Grrr]

Originally posted by iDaver:
What if I'm in my chair with my iPod and the stereo is across the room. You don't want me to have to get up, do you?!

Thats what this is for really.. http://www.macnn.com/news/19740

[iDaver]

Originally posted by Grrr:
Thats what this is for really.. http://www.macnn.com/news/19740

Great device for stop, start, forward and reverse. Difficult to navigate with though. I suppose I can get up from my chair for that.

[aaanorton]

Originally posted by jwblase:
Anyway, of course this thing will work with third party networking gear. It's all done through standard protocols.

Ya, like AppleTalk...

[wnuez]

Originally posted by dreilly1:
Or a laptop.

Yes, but it's bulkier than am iPod.

Maybe in WWDC there will be no new G5's but new iPods... AAGGG!

[awaspaas]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Ya, like AppleTalk...

Pardon?

[aaanorton]

Originally posted by awaspaas:
Pardon?

That was a joke. Apple, open standards, "of course it will work", interact w/ 3rd party eqpt... Eh, seemed funny at the time.

[MikeD]

Would you say that the range (out of the box) is less than that of the standard airport extreme base station? I just got this email asking if I wanted to change me AEBS for an Airpot Express... I ordered one AEBS and one airport express unit (i have problems with range in my house) and am essentially upgrading my entire network now! Anyway, I should just stick with my initial order right?

[iDaver]

Originally posted by MikeD:
Would you say that the range (out of the box) is less than that of the standard airport extreme base station? I just got this email asking if I wanted to change me AEBS for an Airpot Express... I ordered one AEBS and one airport express unit (i have problems with range in my house) and am essentially upgrading my entire network now! Anyway, I should just stick with my initial order right?

If you ordered the base station with modem and antenna port, you'll be better of for range should you need to add the antenna. Otherwise, I believe range is supposed to be the same for both the AE base station and Airport Express.

Personally, I'd have considered two Express units if I were you unless I had a very very large house.

[Xeo]

I'm stoked about this thing for the portability of it. Just unplug it, throw it in your bag, and go. It's beautiful.

[ginoledesma]

I'd buy this on the spot if it supported all third party access points. In theory, its supposed to, but you'll never know if Apple did something to cripple... er limit the functionality.

As for third party wireless routers, I've noticed that quite a number of them (e.g. Netgear, SMC, etc) do not support wireless bridging -- or at least they don't support acting as wireless bridges. You would have to use their wireless access points (without routers) to get that feature. I can't say about D-Link or Linksys as I've not used them recently.